Saturday, 16 April 2022

Sung Word: "Exsultet" by Unknown Writer (in Latin, Portuguese, English, French, Italian, and Spanish)

Exsúltet iam angélica turba cælórum:

exsúltent divína mystéria:

et pro tanti Regis victória tuba ínsonet salutáris.

 

Gáudeat et tellus, tantis irradiáta fulgóribus:

et ætérni Regis splendóre illustráta,

tótius orbis se séntiat amisísse calíginem.

 

Lætétur et mater Ecclésia,

tanti lúminis adornáta fulgóribus:

et magnis populórum vócibus hæc aula resúltet.

 

[Quaprópter astántes vos, fratres caríssimi,

ad tam miram huius sancti lúminis claritátem,

una mecum, quæso,

Dei omnipoténtis misericórdiam invocáte.

Ut, qui me non meis méritis

intra Levitárum númerum dignátus est aggregáre,

lúminis sui claritátem infúndens,

cérei huius laudem implére perfíciat.]

 

V. Dóminus vobíscum.

R. Et cum spíritu tuo.]

V. Sursum corda.

R. Habémus ad Dóminum.

V. Grátias agámus Dómino Deo nostro.

R. Dignum et iustum est.

 

Vere dignum et iustum est,

invisíbilem Deum Patrem omnipoténtem

Filiúmque eius unigénitum,

Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum,

toto cordis ac mentis afféctu et vocis ministério personáre.

 

Qui pro nobis ætérno Patri Adæ débitum solvit,

et véteris piáculi cautiónem pio cruóre detérsit.

 

Hæc sunt enim festa paschália,

in quibus verus ille Agnus occíditur,

cuius sánguine postes fidélium consecrántur.

 

Hæc nox est,

in qua primum patres nostros, fílios Israel

edúctos de Ægypto,

Mare Rubrum sicco vestígio transíre fecísti.

 

Hæc ígitur nox est,

quæ peccatórum ténebras colúmnæ illuminatióne purgávit.

 

Hæc nox est,

quæ hódie per univérsum mundum in Christo credéntes,

a vítiis sæculi et calígine peccatórum segregátos,

reddit grátiæ, sóciat sanctitáti.

 

Hæc nox est,

in qua, destrúctis vínculis mortis,

Christus ab ínferis victor ascéndit.

 

Nihil enim nobis nasci prófuit,

nisi rédimi profuísset.

O mira circa nos tuæ pietátis dignátio!

O inæstimábilis diléctio caritátis:

ut servum redímeres, Fílium tradidísti!

 

O certe necessárium Adæ peccátum,

quod Christi morte delétum est!

 

O felix culpa,

quæ talem ac tantum méruit habére Redemptórem!

 

O vere beáta nox,

quæ sola méruit scire tempus et horam,

in qua Christus ab ínferis resurréxit!

 

Hæc nox est, de qua scriptum est:

Et nox sicut dies illuminábitur:

et nox illuminátio mea in delíciis meis.

 

Huius ígitur sanctificátio noctis fugat scélera, culpas lavat:

et reddit innocéntiam lapsis et mæstis lætítiam.

Fugat ódia, concórdiam parat et curvat impéria.

 

In huius ígitur noctis grátia, súscipe, sancte Pater,

laudis huius sacrifícium vespertínum,

quod tibi in hac cérei oblatióne solémni,

per ministrórum manus

de opéribus apum, sacrosáncta reddit Ecclésia.

 

Sed iam colúmnæ huius præcónia nóvimus,

quam in honórem Dei rútilans ignis accéndit.

Qui, lícet sit divísus in partes,

mutuáti tamen lúminis detrimenta non novit.

 

Alitur enim liquántibus ceris,

quas in substántiam pretiósæ huius lámpadis

apis mater edúxit.

 

O vere beáta nox,

in qua terrénis cæléstia, humánis divína iungúntur!

 

Orámus ergo te, Dómine,

ut céreus iste in honórem tui nóminis consecrátus,

ad noctis huius calíginem destruéndam,

indefíciens persevéret.

Et in odórem suavitátis accéptus,

supérnis lumináribus misceátur.

 

Flammas eius lúcifer matutínus invéniat:

ille, inquam, lúcifer, qui nescit occásum.

Christus Fílius tuus,

qui, regréssus ab ínferis, humáno géneri serénus illúxit,

et vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.

R. Amen.

 

 

Exulte de alegria a multidão dos Anjos,

exultem as assembleias celestes,

ressoem hinos de glória

para anunciar o triunfo de tão grande Rei.

Rejubile também a terra,

inundada por tão grande claridade,

porque a luz de Cristo, o Rei eterno,

dissipa as trevas de todo o mundo.

Alegre-se a Igreja, nossa mãe,

adornada com os fulgores de tão grande luz,

e ressoem neste templo as aclamações do povo de Deus.

(E vós, irmãos caríssimos,

aqui reunidos para celebrar o esplendor admirável desta luz,

invocai comigo a misericórdia de Deus omnipotente,

para que, tendo-Se Ele dignado,

sem mérito algum da minha parte,

admitir-me no número dos seus ministros,

infunda em mim a claridade da sua luz,

para que possa celebrar dignamente os louvores deste círio).

 

V. O Senhor esteja convosco.

R. Ele está no meio de nós.)

V. Corações ao alto.

R. O nosso coração está em Deus.

V. Dêmos graças ao Senhor nosso Deus.

R. É nosso dever, é nossa salvação.

 

É verdadeiramente nosso dever, é nossa salvação

proclamar com todo o fervor da alma e toda a nossa voz

os louvores de Deus invisível, Pai omnipotente,

e do seu Filho Unigénito, nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo.

Ele pagou por nós ao eterno Pai

a dívida por Adão contraída

e com seu Sangue precioso

apagou a condenação do antigo pecado.

Celebramos hoje as festas da Páscoa,

em que é imolado o verdadeiro Cordeiro,

cujo Sangue consagra as portas dos fiéis.

Esta é a noite,

em que libertastes do cativeiro do Egipto

os filhos de Israel, nossos pais,

e os fizestes atravessar a pé enxuto o Mar Vermelho.

Esta é a noite,

em que a coluna de fogo dissipou as trevas do pecado.

Esta é a noite,

que liberta das trevas do pecado e da corrupção do mundo

aqueles que hoje por toda a terra crêem em Cristo,

noite que os restitui à graça

e os reúne na comunhão dos Santos.

Esta é a noite,

em que Cristo, quebrando as cadeias da morte,

Se levanta vitorioso do túmulo.

De nada nos serviria ter nascido,

se não tivéssemos sido resgatados.

Oh admirável condescendência da vossa graça!

Oh incomparável predilecção do vosso amor!

Para resgatar o escravo, entregastes o Filho.

Oh necessário pecado de Adão,

que foi destruído pela morte de Cristo!

Oh ditosa culpa,

que nos mereceu tão grande Redentor!

Oh noite bendita,

única a ter conhecimento do tempo e da hora

em que Cristo ressuscitou do sepulcro!

Esta é a noite, da qual está escrito:

A noite brilha como o dia

e a escuridão é clara como a luz.

Esta noite santa afugenta os crimes, lava as culpas;

restitui a inocência aos pecadores, dá alegria aos tristes;

derruba os poderosos, dissipa os ódios,

estabelece a concórdia e a paz.

Nesta noite de graça,

aceitai, Pai santo,

este sacrifício vespertino de louvor,

que, na solene oblação deste círio,

pelas mãos dos seus ministros

Vos apresenta a santa Igreja.

Agora conhecemos o sinal glorioso desta coluna de cera,

que uma chama de fogo acende em honra de Deus:

esta chama que, ao repartir o seu esplendor,

não diminui a sua luz;

esta chama que se alimenta de cera,

produzida pelo trabalho das abelhas,

para formar este precioso luzeiro.

Oh noite ditosa,

em que o céu se une à terra,

em que o homem se encontra com Deus!

Nós Vos pedimos, Senhor,

que este círio, consagrado ao vosso nome,

arda incessantemente para dissipar as trevas da noite;

e, subindo para Vós, como suave perfume,

junte a sua claridade à das estrelas do céu.

Que ele brilhe ainda quando se levantar o astro da manhã,

aquele astro que não tem ocaso:

Jesus Cristo, vosso Filho,

que, ressuscitando de entre os mortos,

iluminou o género humano com a sua luz e a sua paz

e vive e reina pelos séculos dos séculos.

R. Amen.

 

 

Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven,

exult, let Angel ministers of God exult,

let the trumpet of salvation

sound aloud our mighty King's triumph!

 

Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,

ablaze with light from her eternal King,

let all corners of the earth be glad,

knowing an end to gloom and darkness.

 

Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice,

arrayed with the lightning of his glory,

let this holy building shake with joy,

filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

 

(Therefore, dearest friends,

standing in the awesome glory of this holy light,

invoke with me, I ask you,

the mercy of God almighty,

that he, who has been pleased to number me,

though unworthy, among the Levites,

may pour into me his light unshadowed,

that I may sing this candle's perfect praises).

 

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.)

V. Lift up your hearts.

R. We lift them up to the Lord.

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is right and just.

 

It is truly right and just,

with ardent love of mind and heart

and with devoted service of our voice,

to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father,

and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten.

 

Who for our sake paid Adam's debt to the eternal Father,

and, pouring out his own dear Blood,

wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness.

 

These, then, are the feasts of Passover,

in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb,

whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.

 

This is the night,

when once you led our forebears, Israel's children,

from slavery in Egypt

and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

 

This is the night

that with a pillar of fire

banished the darkness of sin.

 

This is the night

that even now throughout the world,

sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices

and from the gloom of sin,

leading them to grace

and joining them to his holy ones.

 

This is the night

when Christ broke the prison-bars of death

and rose victorious from the underworld.

 

Our birth would have been no gain,

had we not been redeemed.

O wonder of your humble care for us!

O love, O charity beyond all telling,

to ransom a slave you gave away your Son!

 

O truly necessary sin of Adam,

destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!

 

O happy fault

that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

 

O truly blessed night,

worthy alone to know the time and hour

when Christ rose from the underworld!

 

This is the night

of which it is written:

The night shall be as bright as day,

dazzling is the night for me, and full of gladness.

 

The sanctifying power of this night

dispels wickedness, washes faults away,

restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,

drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.

 

On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,

accept this candle, a solemn offering,

the work of bees and of your servants' hands,

an evening sacrifice of praise,

this gift from your most holy Church.

 

But now we know the praises of this pillar,

which glowing fire ignites for God's honour,

a fire into many flames divided,

yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,

for it is fed by melting wax,

drawn out by mother bees

to build a torch so precious.

 

O truly blessed night,

when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,

and divine to the human.

 

Therefore, O Lord,

we pray you that this candle,

hallowed to the honour of your name,

may persevere undimmed,

to overcome the darkness of this night.

Receive it as a pleasing fragrance,

and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.

May this flame be found still burning

by the Morning Star:

the one Morning Star who never sets,

Christ your Son,

who, coming back from death's domain,

has shed his peaceful light on humanity,

and lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

 

 

Qu'exulte de joie la multitude des anges,

 

Célébrez dans la joie, serviteurs de Dieu.

Que sonne la trompette triomphale

Pour la victoire d'un si grand Roi.

 

Que notre terre se réjouisse,

Resplendissante d'une telle lumière.

Éclairée par la splendeur du roi éternel, Car il l'a prise dans sa clarté,

Et son Royaume a dissipé la nuit !

 

Réjouis-toi, Église notre Mère,

Toute parée de sa splendeur.

Que retentisse dans ce lieu saint

L'accamation unanime du peuple des Fils de Dieu !

 

Et vous mes frères bien-aimés,

A la lumière de cette flamme,

Unissez votre voix à la mienne

Pour invoquer la bonté du Tout-Puissant.

 

Que sa clarté me pénètre et m'illumine,

Il m'a choisi, indigne serviteur,

Afin que je chante en votre nom

La merveilleuse lumière du Christ ressuscité !

 

V. Le Seigneur soit avec vous !

R. Et avec votre esprit !

V. Élevons notre cœur.

R. Nous le tournons vers le Seigneur.

V. Rendons grâce au Seigneur, notre Dieu !

R. Cela est juste et bon !

 

Vraiment il est juste et bon de te louer à pleine voix,

Dieu invisible, Père tout-puissant,

Et de chanter ton Fils unique,

Jésus-Christ, notre Seigneur.

 

C'est lui qui a remis pour nous au Père éternel

Le prix de la dette encourue par le premier Adam,

Et qui a écarté par son sang

La condamnation de l'ancien péché.

 

Car voici maintenant la fête de la Pâque

Où l'Agneau véritable est immolé pour nous,

Lui, dont le sang consacre les portes des croyants,

Pour les protéger de la mort et leur donner sa vie.

 

Voici la nuit où tu tiras d'Égypte nos pères, les enfants d'Israël,

Nuit où tu leur as fait traverser la Mer Rouge à pied sec.

Voici la nuit où le feu de la Nuée lumineuse

A repoussé les ténèbres du péché.

 

Voici la nuit, qui aujourd'hui et dans tout l'univers,

Arrache au monde aveuglé par le péché

Ceux qui ont mis leur foi dans le Christ,

Nuit, qui nous rend la grâce et nous ouvre la communion des saints.

 

Voici la nuit où le Christ, brisant les liens de la mort,

S'est relevé victorieux des enfers.

Car il ne nous servirait à rien de naître

Si nous n'avions pas le bonheur d'être sauvés !

 

Ô merveilleuse bonté déployée envers nous, Dieu, notre Père,

Inestimable choix de ton amour !

Car pour racheter l'esclave de la mort,

Tu n'as pas hésité à livrer pour nous ton Fils, le Bien-Aimé.

 

Car il fallait mystérieusement le péché d'Adam

Que le Christ devait abolir en sa mort,

Heureuse faute d'Adam

Qui nous a valu un tel et si grand Rédempteur !

 

Ô Nuit bienheureuse, qui seule a pu connaître

Le temps et l'heure où le Christ victorieux a surgi des enfers,

C'est de toi qu'il est écrit : "La nuit illuminera comme le jour,

La nuit est ma lumière et ma joie !"

 

Car le pouvoir sanctifiant de cette nuit chasse les crimes, lave les fautes,

Rend l'innocence aux coupables et la joie aux affligés,

Dissipe la haine, unit les cœurs,

Et brise tout orgueil.

 

Dans la grâce de cette nuit, accueille, Père très Saint

Le sacrifice du soir de cette flamme que l'Église t'offre par nos mains,

Elle qui brille en l'honneur de notre Dieu,

Flamme qui se transmet sans jamais perdre sa clarté.

 

Ô Nuit bienheureuse

Où se rencontrent le ciel et la terre

Et où s'unissent l'homme et Dieu !

 

Aussi nous t'en prions, Dieu, notre Père,

Permets que ce Cierge Pascal consacré à ton nom

Brûle sans déclin pour dissiper les ténèbres

De cette nuit où nous veillons dans la joie !

 

Que sa flamme monte jusqu'à toi et te soit agréable, qu'il joigne sa clarté à celle des étoiles,

Qu'il brûle encore quand se lèvera l'Astre du matin,

Celui qui ne connaît pas de couchant : le Christ ressuscité, revenu des enfers

Qui répand sur les hommes sa lumière et sa paix.

 

Nous t'en supplions maintenant, Seigneur, garde ton Église dans la joie de ces fêtes pascales,

Par Jésus-Christ, ton Fils, notre Seigneur,

Ressuscité d'entre les morts dans la puissance de l'Esprit,

Qui règne avec toi pour les siècles des siècles.

R. Amen !

 

 

Esulti il coro degli angeli,

esulti l'assemblea celeste:

un inno di gloria saluti il trionfo del Signore risorto.

Gioisca la terra inondata da così grande splendore;

la luce del Re eterno ha vinto le tenebre del mondo.

Gioisca la madre Chiesa, splendente della gloria del suo Signore,

e questo tempio tutto risuoni

per le acclamazioni del popolo in festa.

E voi, fratelli carissimi,

qui radunati nella solare chiarezza di questa nuova luce,

invocate con me la misericordia di Dio onnipotente.

Egli che mi ha chiamato, senza alcun merito,

nel numero dei suoi ministri, irradi il suo mirabile fulgore,

perché sia piena e perfetta la lode di questo cero.

 

V. Il Signore sia con voi.

R. E con il tuo spirito.

V.In alto i nostri cuori.

R. Sono rivolti al Signore.

V.Rendiamo grazie al Signore, nostro Dio.

R. È cosa buona e giusta.

 

È veramente cosa buona e giusta

esprimere con il canto l'esultanza dello spirito,

e inneggiare al Dio invisibile, Padre onnipotente,

e al suo unico Figlio, Gesù Cristo nostro Signore.

 

Egli ha pagato per noi all'eterno Padre il debito di Adamo,

e con il sangue sparso per la nostra salvezza

ha cancellato la condanna della colpa antica.

Questa è la vera Pasqua, in cui è ucciso il vero Agnello,

che con il suo sangue consacra le case dei fedeli.

Questa è la notte in cui hai liberato i figli di Israele, nostri padri,

dalla schiavitù dell'Egitto,

e li hai fatti passare illesi attraverso il Mar Rosso.

Questa è la notte in cui hai vinto le tenebre del peccato

con lo splendore della colonna di fuoco.

Questa è la notte che salva su tutta la terra i credenti nel Cristo

dall'oscurità del peccato e dalla corruzione del mondo,

li consacra all'amore del Padre

e li unisce nella comunione dei santi.

Questa è la notte in cui Cristo ha distrutto la morte

e dagli inferi risorge vittorioso

Nessun vantaggio per noi essere nati, se lui non ci avesse redenti.

O immensità del tuo amore per noi! O inestimabile segno di bontà:

per riscattare lo schiavo, hai sacrificato il tuo Figlio!

Davvero era necessario il peccato di Adamo,

che è stato distrutto con la morte del Cristo.

Felice colpa, che meritò di avere un così grande redentore!

O notte beata, tu sola hai meritato di conoscere

il tempo e l'ora in cui Cristo è risorto dagli inferi.

Di questa notte è stato scritto: la notte splenderà come il giorno,

e sarà fonte di luce per la mia delizia.

Il santo mistero di questa notte sconfigge il male,

lava le colpe, restituisce l'innocenza ai peccatori,

la gioia agli afflitti.

Dissipa l'odio, piega la durezza dei potenti,

promuove la concordia e la pace.

O notte veramente gloriosa,

che ricongiunge la terra al cielo e l'uomo al suo creatore!

In questa notte di grazia accogli, Padre santo, il sacrificio di lode,

che la Chiesa ti offre per mano dei suoi ministri,

nella solenne liturgia del cero,

frutto del lavoro delle api, simbolo della nuova luce.

Riconosciamo nella colonna dell'Esodo

gli antichi presagi di questo lume pasquale

che un fuoco ardente ha acceso in onore di Dio.

Pur diviso in tante fiammelle non estingue il suo vivo splendore,

ma si accresce nel consumarsi della cera

che l'ape madre ha prodotto

per alimentare questa preziosa lampada.

Ti preghiamo, dunque, Signore, che questo cero,

offerto in onore del tuo nome

per illuminare l'oscurità di questa notte,

risplenda di luce che mai si spegne.

Salga a te come profumo soave,

si confonda con le stelle del cielo.

Lo trovi acceso la stella del mattino,

questa stella che non conosce tramonto:

Cristo, tuo Figlio, che risuscitato dai morti

fa risplendere sugli uomini la sua luce serena

e vive e regna nei secoli dei secoli.

R. Amen.

 

 

Exulten por fin los coros de los ángeles,

Exulten las jerarquías del cielo,

y por la victoria de rey tan poderoso

que las trompetas anuncien la salvación.

 

Goce también la tierra, inundada de tanta claridad,

y que, radiante con el fulgor del Rey eterno,

se sienta libre de la tiniebla,

que cubría el orbe entero.

 

Alégrese también nuestra madre la Iglesia,

revestida de luz tan brillante;

resuene este templo

con las aclamaciones del pueblo.

 

Por eso, queridos hermanos,

que asistís a la admirable claridad de esta luz santa,

invocad conmigo la misericordia de Dios Omnipotente,

para que aquel que, sin mérito mío,

me agregó al número de los Diáconos,

completen mi alabanza a este cirio,

infundiendo el resplandor de su luz.

 

V. El Señor esté con ustedes.

R. Y con tu espíritu.

V. Levantemos el corazón.

R. Lo tenemos levantado hacia el Señor.

V. Demos gracias al Señor, nuestro Dios.

R. Es justo y necesario.

 

Realmente es justo y necesario

aclamar con nuestras voces

y con todo el afecto del corazón

a Dios invisible, el Padre Todopoderoso,

y a su único Hijo, Nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

Porque Él ha pagado por nosotros al Eterno Padre

la deuda de Adán

y, derramando su Sangre, canceló el recibo,

del antiguo pecado.

 

Porque éstas son las fiestas de Pascua

en las que se inmola el verdadero Cordero,

cuya Sangre consagra las puertas de los fieles.

 

Esta es la noche en que sacaste de Egipto,

a los israelitas, nuestros padres,

y los hiciste pasar a pie el Mar Rojo.

 

Esta es la noche en que la columna de fuego

esclareció las tinieblas del pecado.

 

Esta es la noche

en la que por toda la tierra,

los que confiesan su fe en Cristo, son arrancados

de los vicios del mundo

y de la oscuridad del pecado,

son restituidos a la gracia

y son agregados a los santos.

 

Esta es la noche en que,

rotas las cadenas de la muerte,

Cristo asciende victorioso del abismo.

¿De qué nos serviría haber nacido

si no hubiéramos sido rescatados?

 

¡Qué asombroso beneficio de tu amor por nosotros!

¡Qué incomparable ternura y caridad!

¡Para rescatar al esclavo, entregaste al Hijo!

 

Necesario fue el pecado de Adán,

que ha sido borrado por la muerte de Cristo.

¡Feliz la culpa que mereció tal Redentor!

 

¡Qué noche tan dichosa!

Sólo ella conoció el momento

en que Cristo resucitó del abismo.

 

Esta es la noche de que estaba escrito:

«Será la noche clara como el día,

la noche iluminada por mi gozo.»

Y así, esta noche santa

ahuyenta los pecados,

lava las culpas,

devuelve la inocencia a los caídos,

la alegría a los tristes,

expulsa el odio,

trae la concordia,

doblega a los potentes.

 

En esta noche de gracia,

acepta, Padre Santo,

el sacrificio vespertino de esta llama,

que la Santa Iglesia te ofrece

en la solemne ofrenda de este cirio,

obra de las abejas.

 

Sabemos ya lo que anuncia esta columna de fuego,

ardiendo en llama viva para gloria de Dios.

Y aunque distribuye su luz,

no mengua al repartirla,

porque se alimenta de cera fundida,

que elaboró la abeja fecunda

para hacer esta lámpara preciosa.

 

¡Qué noche tan dichosa

en que se une el cielo con la tierra,

lo humano con lo divino!

 

Te rogamos, Señor, que este cirio,

consagrado a tu nombre,

para destruir la oscuridad de esta noche,

arda sin apagarse

y, aceptado como perfume,

se asocie a las lumbreras del cielo.

 

Que el lucero matutino lo encuentre ardiendo,

Oh lucero que no conoce ocaso y es Cristo,

tu Hijo resucitado,

que volviendo del abismo,

brilla sereno para el linaje humano,

y vive y reina por los siglos de los siglos.

R. Amén.

 

You can listen the "Exultet" sung in Latin here.

 

Christ is the Ressurection and the Life!
Happy Easter!

¡Cristo es la Resurrección y la Vida!
¡Felices Pascuas!

Christ est la Résurrection et la Vie !
Joyeuses Pâques!

Cristo è la Risurrezione e la Vita!
Buona Pasqua!

Thursday, 14 April 2022

Thursday's Serial: "Against Heresies" by St. Irenaeus of Lyon (translated into English by Alexander Roberts and William Rambaut) - X

Chapter 25

God is not to be sought after by means of letters, syllables, and numbers; necessity of humility in such investigations.

1. If any one, however, say in reply to these things, What then? Is it a meaningless and accidental thing, that the positions of names, and the election of the apostles, and the working of the Lord, and the arrangement of created things, are what they are?— we answer them: Certainly not; but with great wisdom and diligence, all things have clearly been made by God, fitted and prepared [for their special purposes]; and His word formed both things ancient and those belonging to the latest times; and men ought not to connect those things with the number thirty, but to harmonize them with what actually exists, or with right reason. Nor should they seek to prosecute inquiries respecting God by means of numbers, syllables, and letters. For this is an uncertain mode of proceeding, on account of their varied and diverse systems, and because every sort of hypothesis may at the present day be, in like manner, devised by any one; so that they can derive arguments against the truth from these very theories, inasmuch as they may be turned in many different directions. But, on the contrary, they ought to adapt the numbers themselves, and those things which have been formed, to the true theory lying before them. For system does not spring out of numbers, but numbers from a system; nor does God derive His being from things made, but things made from God. For all things originate from one and the same God.

2. But since created things are various and numerous, they are indeed well fitted and adapted to the whole creation; yet, when viewed individually, are mutually opposite and inharmonious, just as the sound of the lyre, which consists of many and opposite notes, gives rise to one unbroken melody, through means of the interval which separates each one from the others. The lover of truth therefore ought not to be deceived by the interval between each note, nor should he imagine that one was due to one artist and author, and another to another, nor that one person fitted the treble, another the bass, and yet another the tenor strings; but he should hold that one and the same person [formed the whole], so as to prove the judgment, goodness, and skill exhibited in the whole work and [specimen of] wisdom. Those, too, who listen to the melody, ought to praise and extol the artist, to admire the tension of some notes, to attend to the softness of others, to catch the sound of others between both these extremes, and to consider the special character of others, so as to inquire at what each one aims, and what is the cause of their variety, never failing to apply our rule, neither giving up the [one ] artist, nor casting off faith in the one God who formed all things, nor blaspheming our Creator.

3. If, however, any one do not discover the cause of all those things which become objects of investigation, let him reflect that man is infinitely inferior to God; that he has received grace only in part, and is not yet equal or similar to his Maker; and, moreover, that he cannot have experience or form a conception of all things like God; but in the same proportion as he who was formed but today, and received the beginning of his creation, is inferior to Him who is uncreated, and who is always the same, in that proportion is he, as respects knowledge and the faculty of investigating the causes of all things, inferior to Him who made him. For you, O man, are not an uncreated being, nor did you always co-exist with God, as did His own Word; but now, through His pre-eminent goodness, receiving the beginning of your creation, you gradually learn from the Word the dispensations of God who made you.

4. Preserve therefore the proper order of your knowledge, and do not, as being ignorant of things really good, seek to rise above God Himself, for He cannot be surpassed; nor do you seek after any one above the Creator, for you will not discover such. For your Former cannot be contained within limits; nor, although you should measure all this [universe], and pass through all His creation, and consider it in all its depth, and height, and length, would you be able to conceive of any other above the Father Himself. For you will not be able to think Him fully out, but, indulging in trains of reflection opposed to your nature, you will prove yourself foolish; and if you persevere in such a course, you will fall into utter madness, while you deem yourself loftier and greater than your Creator, and imagine that you can penetrate beyond His dominions.

 

 

Chapter 26

"Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."

1. It is therefore better and more profitable to belong to the simple and unlettered class, and by means of love to attain to nearness to God, than, by imagining ourselves learned and skilful, to be found [among those who are] blasphemous against their own God, inasmuch as they conjure up another God as the Father. And for this reason Paul exclaimed, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies:" 1 Corinthians 8:1 not that he meant to inveigh against a true knowledge of God, for in that case he would have accused himself; but, because he knew that some, puffed up by the pretence of knowledge, fall away from the love of God, and imagine that they themselves are perfect, for this reason that they set forth an imperfect Creator, with the view of putting an end to the pride which they feel on account of knowledge of this kind, he says, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." Now there can be no greater conceit than this, that any one should imagine he is better and more perfect than He who made and fashioned him, and imparted to him the breath of life, and commanded this very thing into existence. It is therefore better, as I have said, that one should have no knowledge whatever of any one reason why a single thing in creation has been made, but should believe in God, and continue in His love, than that, puffed up through knowledge of this kind, he should fall away from that love which is the life of man; and that he should search after no other knowledge except [the knowledge of] Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was crucified for us, than that by subtle questions and hair-splitting expressions he should fall into impiety.

2. For how would it be, if any one, gradually elated by attempts of the kind referred to, should, because the Lord said that "even the hairs of your head are all numbered," Matthew 10:30 set about inquiring into the number of hairs on each one's head, and endeavour to search out the reason on account of which one man has so many, and another so many, since all have not an equal number, but many thousands upon thousands are to be found with still varying numbers, on this account that some have larger and others smaller heads, some have bushy heads of hair, others thin, and others scarcely any hair at all — and then those who imagine that they have discovered the number of the hairs, should endeavour to apply that for the commendation of their own sect which they have conceived? Or again, if any one should, because of this expression which occurs in the Gospel, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And not one of them falls to the ground without the will of your Father," Matthew 10:29 take occasion to reckon up the number of sparrows caught daily, whether over all the world or in some particular district, and to make inquiry as to the reason of so many having been captured yesterday, so many the day before, and so many again on this day, and should then join on the number of sparrows to his [particular] hypothesis, would he not in that case mislead himself altogether, and drive into absolute insanity those that agreed with him, since men are always eager in such matters to be thought to have discovered something more extraordinary than their masters?

3. But if any one should ask us whether every number of all the things which have been made, and which are made, is known to God, and whether every one of these [numbers] has, according to His providence, received that special amount which it contains; and on our agreeing that such is the case, and acknowledging that not one of the things which have been, or are, or shall be made, escapes the knowledge of God, but that through His providence every one of them has obtained its nature, and rank, and number, and special quantity, and that nothing whatever either has been or is produced in vain or accidentally, but with exceeding suitability [to the purpose intended], and in the exercise of transcendent knowledge, and that it was an admirable and truly divine intellect which could both distinguish and bring forth the proper causes of such a system: if, [I say,] any one, on obtaining our adherence and consent to this, should proceed to reckon up the sand and pebbles of the earth, yea also the waves of the sea and the stars of heaven, and should endeavour to think out the causes of the number which he imagines himself to have discovered, would not his labour be in vain, and would not such a man be justly declared mad, and destitute of reason, by all possessed of common sense? And the more he occupied himself beyond others in questions of this kind, and the more he imagines himself to find out beyond others, styling them unskilful, ignorant, and animal beings, because they do not enter into his so useless labour, the more is he [in reality] insane, foolish, struck as it were with a thunderbolt, since indeed he does in no one point own himself inferior to God; but, by the knowledge which he imagines himself to have discovered, he changes God Himself, and exalts his own opinion above the greatness of the Creator.

 

 

Chapter 27

Proper mode of interpreting parables and obscure passages of Scripture.

1. A sound mind, and one which does not expose its possessor to danger, and is devoted to piety and the love of truth, will eagerly meditate upon those things which God has placed within the power of mankind, and has subjected to our knowledge, and will make advancement in [acquaintance with] them, rendering the knowledge of them easy to him by means of daily study. These things are such as fall [plainly] under our observation, and are clearly and unambiguously in express terms set forth in the Sacred Scriptures. And therefore the parables ought not to be adapted to ambiguous expressions. For, if this be not done, both he who explains them will do so without danger, and the parables will receive a like interpretation from all, and the body of truth remains entire, with a harmonious adaptation of its members, and without any collision [of its several parts]. But to apply expressions which are not clear or evident to interpretations of the parables, such as every one discovers for himself as inclination leads him, [is absurd. ] For in this way no one will possess the rule of truth; but in accordance with the number of persons who explain the parables will be found the various systems of truth, in mutual opposition to each other, and setting forth antagonistic doctrines, like the questions current among the Gentile philosophers.

2. According to this course of procedure, therefore, man would always be inquiring but never finding, because he has rejected the very method of discovery. And when the Bridegroom Matthew 25:5, etc. comes, he who has his lamp untrimmed, and not burning with the brightness of a steady light, is classed among those who obscure the interpretations of the parables, forsaking Him who by His plain announcements freely imparts gifts to all who come to Him, and is excluded from His marriage-chamber. Since, therefore, the entire Scriptures, the prophets, and the Gospels, can be clearly, unambiguously, and harmoniously understood by all, although all do not believe them; and since they proclaim that one only God, to the exclusion of all others, formed all things by His word, whether visible or invisible, heavenly or earthly, in the water or under the earth, as I have shown from the very words of Scripture; and since the very system of creation to which we belong testifies, by what falls under our notice, that one Being made and governs it — those persons will seem truly foolish who blind their eyes to such a clear demonstration, and will not behold the light of the announcement [made to them]; but they put fetters upon themselves, and every one of them imagines, by means of their obscure interpretations of the parables, that he has found out a God of his own. For that there is nothing whatever openly, expressly, and without controversy said in any part of Scripture respecting the Father conceived of by those who hold a contrary opinion, they themselves testify, when they maintain that the Saviour privately taught these same things not to all, but to certain only of His disciples who could comprehend them, and who understood what was intended by Him through means of arguments, enigmas, and parables. They come, [in fine,] to this, that they maintain there is one Being who is proclaimed as God, and another as Father, He who is set forth as such through means of parables and enigmas.

3. But since parables admit of many interpretations, what lover of truth will not acknowledge, that for them to assert God is to be searched out from these, while they desert what is certain, indubitable, and true, is the part of men who eagerly throw themselves into danger, and act as if destitute of reason? And is not such a course of conduct not to build one's house upon a rock Matthew 7:25 which is firm, strong, and placed in an open position, but upon the shifting sand? Hence the overthrow of such a building is a matter of ease.

 

 

Chapter 28

Perfect knowledge cannot be attained in the present life: many questions must be submissively left in the hands of God.

1. Having therefore the truth itself as our rule and the testimony concerning God set clearly before us, we ought not, by running after numerous and diverse answers to questions, to cast away the firm and true knowledge of God. But it is much more suitable that we, directing our inquiries after this fashion, should exercise ourselves in the investigation of the mystery and administration of the living God, and should increase in the love of Him who has done, and still does, so great things for us; but never should fall from the belief by which it is most clearly proclaimed that this Being alone is truly God and Father, who both formed this world, fashioned man, and bestowed the faculty of increase on His own creation, and called him upwards from lesser things to those greater ones which are in His own presence, just as He brings an infant which has been conceived in the womb into the light of the sun, and lays up wheat in the barn after He has given it full strength on the stalk. But it is one and the same Creator who both fashioned the womb and created the sun; and one and the same Lord who both reared the stalk of grain, increased and multiplied the wheat, and prepared the barn.

2. If, however, we cannot discover explanations of all those things in Scripture which are made the subject of investigation, yet let us not on that account seek after any other God besides Him who really exists. For this is the very greatest impiety. We should leave things of that nature to God who created us, being most properly assured that the Scriptures are indeed perfect, since they were spoken by the Word of God and His Spirit; but we, inasmuch as we are inferior to, and later in existence than, the Word of God and His Spirit, are on that very account destitute of the knowledge of His mysteries. And there is no cause for wonder if this is the case with us as respects things spiritual and heavenly, and such as require to be made known to us by revelation, since many even of those things which lie at our very feet (I mean such as belong to this world, which we handle, and see, and are in close contact with) transcend our knowledge, so that even these we must leave to God. For it is fitting that He should excel all [in knowledge]. For how stands the case, for instance, if we endeavour to explain the cause of the rising of the Nile? We may say a great deal, plausible or otherwise, on the subject; but what is true, sure, and incontrovertible regarding it, belongs only to God. Then, again, the dwelling-place of birds — of those, I mean, which come to us in spring, but fly away again on the approach of autumn — though it is a matter connected with this world, escapes our knowledge. What explanation, again, can we give of the flow and ebb of the ocean, although every one admits there must be a certain cause [for these phenomena]? Or what can we say as to the nature of those things which lie beyond it? What, moreover, can we say as to the formation of rain, lightning, thunder, gatherings of clouds, vapours, the bursting forth of winds, and such like things; or tell as to the storehouses of snow, hail, and other like things? [What do we know respecting] the conditions requisite for the preparation of clouds, or what is the real nature of the vapours in the sky? What as to the reason why the moon waxes and wanes, or what as to the cause of the difference of nature among various waters, metals, stones, and such like things? On all these points we may indeed say a great deal while we search into their causes, but God alone who made them can declare the truth regarding them.

3. If, therefore, even with respect to creation, there are some things [the knowledge of] which belongs only to God, and others which come within the range of our own knowledge, what ground is there for complaint, if, in regard to those things which we investigate in the Scriptures (which are throughout spiritual), we are able by the grace of God to explain some of them, while we must leave others in the hands of God, and that not only in the present world, but also in that which is to come, so that God should for ever teach, and man should for ever learn the things taught him by God? As the apostle has said on this point, that, when other things have been done away, then these three, "faith, hope, and charity, shall endure." 1 Corinthians 13:13 For faith, which has respect to our Master, endures unchangeably, assuring us that there is but one true God, and that we should truly love Him for ever, seeing that He alone is our Father; while we hope ever to be receiving more and more from God, and to learn from Him, because He is good, and possesses boundless riches, a kingdom without end, and instruction that can never be exhausted. If, therefore, according to the rule which I have stated, we leave some questions in the hands of God, we shall both preserve our faith uninjured, and shall continue without danger; and all Scripture, which has been given to us by God, shall be found by us perfectly consistent; and the parables shall harmonize with those passages which are perfectly plain; and those statements the meaning of which is clear, shall serve to explain the parables; and through the many diversified utterances [of Scripture] there shall be heard one harmonious melody in us, praising in hymns that God who created all things. If, for instance, any one asks, "What was God doing before He made the world?" we reply that the answer to such a question lies with God Himself. For that this world was formed perfect by God, receiving a beginning in time, the Scriptures teach us; but no Scripture reveals to us what God was employed about before this event. The answer therefore to that question remains with God, and it is not proper for us to aim at bringing forward foolish, rash, and blasphemous suppositions [in reply to it]; so, as by one's imagining that he has discovered the origin of matter, he should in reality set aside God Himself who made all things.

4. For consider, all you who invent such opinions, since the Father Himself is alone called God, who has a real existence, but whom you style the Demiurge; since, moreover, the Scriptures acknowledge Him alone as God; and yet again, since the Lord confesses Him alone as His own Father, and knows no other, as I shall show from His very words, — when you style this very Being the fruit of defect, and the offspring of ignorance, and describe Him as being ignorant of those things which are above Him, with the various other allegations which you make regarding Him — consider the terrible blasphemy [you are thus guilty of] against Him who truly is God. You seem to affirm gravely and honestly enough that you believe in God; but then, as you are utterly unable to reveal any other God, you declare this very Being in whom you profess to believe, the fruit of defect and the offspring of ignorance. Now this blindness and foolish talking flow to you from the fact that you reserve nothing for God, but you wish to proclaim the nativity and production both of God Himself, of His Ennœa, of His Logos, and Life, and Christ; and you form the idea of these from no other than a mere human experience; not understanding, as I said before, that it is possible, in the case of man, who is a compound being, to speak in this way of the mind of man and the thought of man; and to say that thought (ennœa) springs from mind (sensus), intention (enthymesis) again from thought, and word (logos) from intention (but which logos? for there is among the Greeks one logos which is the principle that thinks, and another which is the instrument by means of which thought is expressed); and [to say] that a man sometimes is at rest and silent, while at other times he speaks and is active. But since God is all mind, all reason, all active spirit, all light, and always exists one and the same, as it is both beneficial for us to think of God, and as we learn regarding Him from the Scriptures, such feelings and divisions [of operation] cannot fittingly be ascribed to Him. For our tongue, as being carnal, is not sufficient to minister to the rapidity of the human mind, inasmuch as that is of a spiritual nature, for which reason our word is restrained within us, and is not at once expressed as it has been conceived by the mind, but is uttered by successive efforts, just as the tongue is able to serve it.

5. But God being all Mind, and all Logos, both speaks exactly what He thinks, and thinks exactly what He speaks. For His thought is Logos, and Logos is Mind, and Mind comprehending all things is the Father Himself. He, therefore, who speaks of the mind of God, and ascribes to it a special origin of its own, declares Him a compound Being, as if God were one thing, and the original Mind another. So, again, with respect to Logos, when one attributes to him the third place of production from the Father; on which supposition he is ignorant of His greatness; and thus Logos has been far separated from God. As for the prophet, he declares respecting Him, "Who shall describe His generation?" Isaiah 53:8 But you pretend to set forth His generation from the Father, and you transfer the production of the word of men which takes place by means of a tongue to the Word of God, and thus are righteously exposed by your own selves as knowing neither things human nor divine.

6. But, beyond reason inflated [with your own wisdom], you presumptuously maintain that you are acquainted with the unspeakable mysteries of God; while even the Lord, the very Son of God, allowed that the Father alone knows the very day and hour of judgment, when He plainly declares, "But of that day and that hour knows no man, neither the Son, but the Father only." If, then, the Son was not ashamed to ascribe the knowledge of that day to the Father only, but declared what was true regarding the matter, neither let us be ashamed to reserve for God those greater questions which may occur to us. For no man is superior to his master. Matthew 10:24; Luke 11:40 If any one, therefore, says to us, "How then was the Son produced by the Father?" we reply to him, that no man understands that production, or generation, or calling, or revelation, or by whatever name one may describe His generation, which is in fact altogether indescribable. Neither Valentinus, nor Marcion, nor Saturninus, nor Basilides, nor angels, nor archangels, nor principalities, nor powers [possess this knowledge], but the Father only who begot, and the Son who was begotten. Since therefore His generation is unspeakable, those who strive to set forth generations and productions cannot be in their right mind, inasmuch as they undertake to describe things which are indescribable. For that a word is uttered at the bidding of thought and mind, all men indeed well understand. Those, therefore, who have excogitated [the theory of] emissions have not discovered anything great, or revealed any abstruse mystery, when they have simply transferred what all understand to the only-begotten Word of God; and while they style Him unspeakable and unnameable, they nevertheless set forth the production and formation of His first generation, as if they themselves had assisted at His birth, thus assimilating Him to the word of mankind formed by emissions.

7. But we shall not be wrong if we affirm the same thing also concerning the substance of matter, that God produced it. For we have learned from the Scriptures that God holds the supremacy over all things. But whence or in what way He produced it, neither has Scripture anywhere declared; nor does it become us to conjecture, so as, in accordance with our own opinions, to form endless conjectures concerning God, but we should leave such knowledge in the hands of God Himself. In like manner, also, we must leave the cause why, while all things were made by God, certain of His creatures sinned and revolted from a state of submission to God, and others, indeed the great majority, persevered, and do still persevere, in [willing] subjection to Him who formed them, and also of what nature those are who sinned, and of what nature those who persevere — [we must, I say, leave the cause of these things] to God and His Word, to whom alone He said, "Sit at my right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool." But as for us, we still dwell upon the earth, and have not yet sat down upon His throne. For although the Spirit of the Saviour that is in Him "searches all things, even the deep things of God," 1 Corinthians 2:10 yet as to us "there are diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, and diversities of operations;" and we, while upon the earth, as Paul also declares, "know in part, and prophesy in part." 1 Corinthians 13:9 Since, therefore, we know but in part, we ought to leave all sorts of [difficult] questions in the hands of Him who in some measure, [and that only,] bestows grace on us. That eternal fire, [for instance,] is prepared for sinners, both the Lord has plainly declared, and the rest of the Scriptures demonstrate. And that God foreknew that this would happen, the Scriptures do in like manner demonstrate, since He prepared eternal fire from the beginning for those who were [afterwards] to transgress [His commandments]; but the cause itself of the nature of such transgressors neither has any Scripture informed us, nor has an apostle told us, nor has the Lord taught us. It becomes us, therefore, to leave the knowledge of this matter to God, even as the Lord does of the day and hour [of judgment], and not to rush to such an extreme of danger, that we will leave nothing in the hands of God, even though we have received only a measure of grace [from Him in this world]. But when we investigate points which are above us, and with respect to which we cannot reach satisfaction, [it is absurd ] that we should display such an extreme of presumption as to lay open God, and things which are not yet discovered, as if already we had found out, by the vain talk about emissions, God Himself, the Creator of all things, and to assert that He derived His substance from apostasy and ignorance, so as to frame an impious hypothesis in opposition to God.

8. Moreover, they possess no proof of their system, which has but recently been invented by them, sometimes resting upon certain numbers, sometimes on syllables, and sometimes, again, on names; and there are occasions, too, when, by means of those letters which are contained in letters, by parables not properly interpreted, or by certain [baseless] conjectures, they strive to establish that fabulous account which they have devised. For if any one should inquire the reason why the Father, who has fellowship with the Son in all things, has been declared by the Lord alone to know the hour and the day [of judgment], he will find at present no more suitable, or becoming, or safe reason than this (since, indeed, the Lord is the only true Master), that we may learn through Him that the Father is above all things. For "the Father," says He, "is greater than I." John 14:28 The Father, therefore, has been declared by our Lord to excel with respect to knowledge; for this reason, that we, too, as long as we are connected with the scheme of things in this world, should leave perfect knowledge, and such questions [as have been mentioned], to God, and should not by any chance, while we seek to investigate the sublime nature of the Father, fall into the danger of starting the question whether there is another God above God.

9. But if any lover of strife contradict what I have said, and also what the apostle affirms, that "we know in part, and prophesy in part," 1 Corinthians 13:9 and imagine that he has acquired not a partial, but a universal, knowledge of all that exists, — being such an one as Valentinus, or Ptolemæus, or Basilides, or any other of those who maintain that they have searched out the deep things of God — let him not (arraying himself in vainglory) boast that he has acquired greater knowledge than others with respect to those things which are invisible, or cannot be placed under our observation; but let him, by making diligent inquiry, and obtaining information from the Father, tell us the reasons (which we know not) of those things which are in this world, — as, for instance, the number of hairs on his own head, and the sparrows which are captured day by day, and such other points with which we are not previously acquainted — so that we may credit him also with respect to more important points. But if those who are perfect do not yet understand the very things in their hands, and at their feet, and before their eyes, and on the earth, and especially the rule followed with respect to the hairs of their head, how can we believe them regarding things spiritual, and super-celestial, and those which, with a vain confidence, they assert to be above God? So much, then, I have said concerning numbers, and names, and syllables, and questions respecting such things as are above our comprehension, and concerning their improper expositions of the parables: [I add no more on these points,] since you yourself may enlarge upon them.

 

 

Chapter 29

Refutation of the views of the heretics as to the future destiny of the soul and body.

1. Let us return, however, to the remaining points of their system. For when they declare that, at the consummation of all things, their mother shall re-enter the Pleroma, and receive the Saviour as her consort; that they themselves, as being spiritual, when they have got rid of their animal souls, and become intellectual spirits, will be the consorts of the spiritual angels; but that the Demiurge, since they call him animal, will pass into the place of the Mother; that the souls of the righteous shall psychically repose in the intermediate place — when they declare that like will be gathered to like, spiritual things to spiritual, while material things continue among those that are material, they do in fact contradict themselves, inasmuch as they no longer maintain that souls pass, on account of their nature, into the intermediate place to those substances which are similar to themselves, but [that they do so] on account of the deeds done [in the body], since they affirm that those of the righteous do pass [into that abode], but those of the impious continue in the fire. For if it is on account of their nature that all souls attain to the place of enjoyment, and all belong to the intermediate place simply because they are souls, as being thus of the same nature with it, then it follows that faith is altogether superfluous, as was also the descent of the Saviour [to this world]. If, on the other hand, it is on account of their righteousness [that they attain to such a place of rest], then it is no longer because they are souls but because they are righteous. But if souls would have perished unless they had been righteous, then righteousness must have power to save the bodies also [which these souls inhabited]; for why should it not save them, since they, too, participated in righteousness? For if nature and substance are the means of salvation, then all souls shall be saved; but if righteousness and faith, why should these not save those bodies which, equally with the souls, will enter into immortality? For righteousness will appear, in matters of this kind, either impotent or unjust, if indeed it saves some substances through participating in it, but not others.

2. For it is manifest that those acts which are deemed righteous are performed in bodies. Either, therefore, all souls will of necessity pass into the intermediate place, and there will never be a judgment; or bodies, too, which have participated in righteousness, will attain to the place of enjoyment, along with the souls which have in like manner participated, if indeed righteousness is powerful enough to bring there those substances which have participated in it. And then the doctrine concerning the resurrection of bodies which we believe, will emerge true and certain [from their system]; since, [as we hold,] God, when He resuscitates our mortal bodies which preserved righteousness, will render them incorruptible and immortal. For God is superior to nature, and has in Himself the disposition [to show kindness], because He is good; and the ability to do so, because He is mighty; and the faculty of fully carrying out His purpose, because He is rich and perfect.

3. But these men are in all points inconsistent with themselves, when they decide that all souls do not enter into the intermediate place, but those of the righteous only. For they maintain that, according to nature and substance, three sorts [of being] were produced by the Mother: the first, which proceeded from perplexity, and weariness, and fear— that is material substance; the second from impetuosity — that is animal substance; but that which she brought forth after the vision of those angels who wait upon Christ, is spiritual substance. If, then, that substance which she brought forth will by all means enter into the Pleroma because it is spiritual, while that which is material will remain below because it is material, and shall be totally consumed by the fire which burns within it, why should not the whole animal substance go into the intermediate place, into which also they send the Demiurge? But what is it which shall enter within their Pleroma? For they maintain that souls shall continue in the intermediate place, while bodies, because they possess material substance, when they have been resolved into matter, shall be consumed by that fire which exists in it; but their body being thus destroyed, and their soul remaining in the intermediate place, no part of man will any longer be left to enter in within the Pleroma. For the intellect of man — his mind, thought, mental intention, and such like — is nothing else than his soul; but the emotions and operations of the soul itself have no substance apart from the soul. What part of them, then, will still remain to enter into the Pleroma? For they themselves, in as far as they are souls, remain in the intermediate place; while, in as far as they are body, they will be consumed with the rest of matter.

 

 

Chapter 30

Absurdity of their styling themselves spiritual, while the Demiurge is declared to be animal.

1. Such being the state of the case, these infatuated men declare that they rise above the Creator (Demiurge); and, inasmuch as they proclaim themselves superior to that God who made and adorned the heavens, and the earth, and all things that are in them, and maintain that they themselves are spiritual, while they are in fact shamefully carnal on account of their so great impiety — affirming that He, who has made His angels spirits, and is clothed with light as with a garment, and holds the circle of the earth, as it were, in His hand, in whose sight its inhabitants are counted as grasshoppers, and who is the Creator and Lord of all spiritual substance, is of an animal nature, — they do beyond doubt and verily betray their own madness; and, as if truly struck with thunder, even more than those giants who are spoken of in [heathen] fables, they lift up their opinions against God, inflated by a vain presumption and unstable glory — men for whose purgation all the hellebore on earth would not suffice, so that they should get rid of their intense folly.

2. The superior person is to be proved by his deeds. In what way, then, can they show themselves superior to the Creator (that I too, through the necessity of the argument in hand, may come down to the level of their impiety, instituting a comparison between God and foolish men, and, by descending to their argument, may often refute them by their own doctrines; but in thus acting may God be merciful to me, for I venture on these statements, not with the view of comparing Him to them, but of convicting and overthrowing their insane opinions)— they, for whom many foolish persons entertain so great an admiration, as if, forsooth, they could learn from them something more precious than the truth itself! That expression of Scripture, "Seek, and you shall find," Matthew 7:7 they interpret as spoken with this view, that they should discover themselves to be above the Creator, styling themselves greater and better than God, and calling themselves spiritual, but the Creator animal; and [affirming] that for this reason they rise upwards above God, for that they enter in within the Pleroma, while He remains in the intermediate place. Let them, then, prove themselves by their deeds superior to the Creator; for the superior person ought to be proved not by what is said, but by what has a real existence.

3. What work, then, will they point to as having been accomplished through themselves by the Saviour, or by their Mother, either greater, or more glorious, or more adorned with wisdom, than those which have been produced by Him who was the disposer of all around us? What heavens have they established? What earth have they founded? What stars have they called into existence? Or what lights of heaven have they caused to shine? Within what circles, moreover, have they confined them? Or, what rains, or frosts, or snows, each suited to the season, and to every special climate, have they brought upon the earth? And again, in opposition to these, what heat or dryness have they set over against them? Or, what rivers have they made to flow? What fountains have they brought forth? With what flowers and trees have they adorned this sublunary world? Or, what multitude of animals have they formed, some rational, and others irrational, but all adorned with beauty? And who can enumerate one by one all the remaining objects which have been constituted by the power of God, and are governed by His wisdom? Or who can search out the greatness of that God who made them? And what can be told of those existences which are above heaven, and which do not pass away, such as Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, and Powers innumerable? Against what one of these works, then, do they set themselves in opposition? What have they similar to show, as having been made through themselves, or by themselves, since even they too are the Workmanship and creatures of this [Creator]? For whether the Saviour or their Mother (to use their own expressions, proving them false by means of the very terms they themselves employ) used this Being, as they maintain, to make an image of those things which are within the Pleroma, and of all those beings which she saw waiting upon the Saviour, she used him (the Demiurge) as being [in a sense] superior to herself, and better fitted to accomplish her purpose through his instrumentality; for she would by no means form the images of such important beings through means of an inferior, but by a superior, agent.

4. For, [be it observed,] they themselves, according to their own declarations, were then existing, as a spiritual conception, in consequence of the contemplation of those beings who were arranged as satellites around Pandora. And they indeed continued useless, the Mother accomplishing nothing through their instrumentality, — an idle conception, owing their being to the Saviour, and fit for nothing, for not a thing appears to have been done by them. But the God who, according to them, was produced, while, as they argue, inferior to themselves (for they maintain that he is of an animal nature), was nevertheless the active agent in all things, efficient, and fit for the work to be done, so that by him the images of all things were made; and not only were these things which are seen formed by him, but also all things invisible, Angels, Archangels, Dominations, Powers, and Virtues, — [by him, I say,] as being the superior, and capable of ministering to her desire. But it seems that the Mother made nothing whatever through their instrumentality, as indeed they themselves acknowledge; so that one may justly reckon them as having been an abortion produced by the painful travail of their Mother. For no accoucheurs performed their office upon her, and therefore they were cast forth as an abortion, useful for nothing, and formed to accomplish no work of the Mother. And yet they describe themselves as being superior to Him by whom so vast and admirable works have been accomplished and arranged, although by their own reasoning they are found to be so wretchedly inferior!

5. It is as if there were two iron tools, or instruments, the one of which was continually in the workman's hands and in constant use, and by the use of which he made whatever he pleased, and displayed his art and skill, but the other of which remained idle and useless, never being called into operation, the workman never appearing to make anything by it, and making no use of it in any of his labours; and then one should maintain that this useless, and idle, and unemployed tool was superior in nature and value to that which the artisan employed in his work, and by means of which he acquired his reputation. Such a man, if any such were found, would justly be regarded as imbecile, and not in his right mind. And so should those be judged of who speak of themselves as being spiritual and superior, and of the Creator as possessed of an animal nature, and maintain that for this reason they will ascend on high, and penetrate within the Pleroma to their own husbands (for, according to their own statements, they are themselves feminine), but that God [the Creator] is of an inferior nature, and therefore remains in the intermediate place, while all the time they bring forward no proofs of these assertions: for the better man is shown by his works, and all works have been accomplished by the Creator; but they, having nothing worthy of reason to point to as having been produced by themselves, are labouring under the greatest and most incurable madness.

6. If, however, they labour to maintain that, while all material things, such as the heaven, and the whole world which exists below it, were indeed formed by the Demiurge, yet all things of a more spiritual nature than these, — those, namely, which are above the heavens, such as Principalities, Powers, Angels, Archangels, Dominations, Virtues, — were produced by a spiritual process of birth (which they declare themselves to be), then, in the first place, we prove from the authoritative Scriptures that all the things which have been mentioned, visible and invisible, have been made by one God. For these men are not more to be depended on than the Scriptures; nor ought we to give up the declarations of the Lord, Moses, and the rest of the prophets, who have proclaimed the truth, and give credit to them, who do indeed utter nothing of a sensible nature, but rave about untenable opinions. And, in the next place, if those things which are above the heavens were really made through their instrumentality, then let them inform us what is the nature of things invisible, recount the number of the Angels, and the ranks of the Archangels, reveal the mysteries of the Thrones, and teach us the differences between the Dominations, Principalities, Powers, and Virtues. But they can say nothing respecting them; therefore these beings were not made by them. If, on the other hand, these were made by the Creator, as was really the case, and are of a spiritual and holy character, then it follows that He who produced spiritual beings is not Himself of an animal nature, and thus their fearful system of blasphemy is overthrown.

7. For that there are spiritual creatures in the heavens, all the Scriptures loudly proclaim; and Paul expressly testifies that there are spiritual things when he declares that he was caught up into the third heaven, and again, that he was carried away to paradise, and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter. But what did that profit him, either his entrance into paradise or his assumption into the third heaven, since all these things are still but under the power of the Demiurge, if, as some venture to maintain, he had already begun to be a spectator and a hearer of those mysteries which are affirmed to be above the Demiurge? For if it is true that he was becoming acquainted with that order of things which is above the Demiurge, he would by no means have remained in the regions of the Demiurge, and that so as not even thoroughly to explore even these (for, according to their manner of speaking, there still lay before him four heavens, if he were to approach the Demiurge, and thus behold the whole seven lying beneath him); but he might have been admitted, perhaps, into the intermediate place, that is, into the presence of the Mother, that he might receive instruction from her as to the things within the Pleroma. For that inner man which was in him, and spoke in him, as they say, though invisible, could have attained not only to the third heaven, but even as far as the presence of their Mother. For if they maintain that they themselves, that is, their [inner] man, at once ascends above the Demiurge, and departs to the Mother, much more must this have occurred to the [inner] man of the apostle; for the Demiurge would not have hindered him, being, as they assert, himself already subject to the Saviour. But if he had tried to hinder him, the effort would have gone for nothing. For it is not possible that he should prove stronger than the providence of the Father, and that when the inner man is said to be invisible even to the Demiurge. But since he (Paul) has described that assumption of himself up to the third heaven as something great and pre-eminent, it cannot be that these men ascend above the seventh heaven, for they are certainly not superior to the apostle. If they do maintain that they are more excellent than he, let them prove themselves so by their works, for they have never pretended to anything like [what he describes as occurring to himself]. And for this reason he added, "Whether in the body, or whether out of the body, God knows," that the body might neither be thought to be a partaker in that vision, as if it could have participated in those things which it had seen and heard; nor, again, that any one should say that he was not carried higher on account of the weight of the body; but it is therefore thus far permitted even without the body to behold spiritual mysteries which are the operations of God, who made the heavens and the earth, and formed man, and placed him in paradise, so that those should be spectators of them who, like the apostle, have reached a high degree of perfection in the love of God.

8. This Being, therefore, also made spiritual things, of which, as far as to the third heaven, the apostle was made a spectator, and heard unspeakable words which it is not possible for a man to utter, inasmuch as they are spiritual; and He Himself bestows [gifts] on the worthy as inclination prompts Him, for paradise is His; and He is truly the Spirit of God, and not an animal Demiurge, otherwise He should never have created spiritual things. But if He really is of an animal nature, then let them inform us by whom spiritual things were made. They have no proof which they can give that this was done by means of the travail of their Mother, which they declare themselves to be. For, not to speak of spiritual things, these men cannot create even a fly, or a gnat, or any other small and insignificant animal, without observing that law by which from the beginning animals have been and are naturally produced by God — through the deposition of seed in those that are of the same species. Nor was anything formed by the Mother alone; [for] they say that this Demiurge was produced by her, and that he was the Lord (the author) of all creation. And they maintain that he who is the Creator and Lord of all that has been made is of an animal nature, while they assert that they themselves are spiritual, — they who are neither the authors nor lords of any one work, not only of those things which are extraneous to them, but not even of their own bodies! Moreover, these men, who call themselves spiritual, and superior to the Creator, do often suffer much bodily pain, sorely against their will.

9. Justly, therefore, do we convict them of having departed far and wide from the truth. For if the Saviour formed the things which have been made, by means of him (the Demiurge), he is proved in that case not to be inferior but superior to them, since he is found to have been the former even of themselves; for they, too, have a place among created things. How, then, can it be argued that these men indeed are spiritual, but that he by whom they were created is of an animal nature? Or, again, if (which is indeed the only true supposition, as I have shown by numerous arguments of the very clearest nature) He (the Creator) made all things freely, and by His own power, and arranged and finished them, and His will is the substance of all things, then He is discovered to be the one only God who created all things, who alone is Omnipotent, and who is the only Father rounding and forming all things, visible and invisible, such as may be perceived by our senses and such as cannot, heavenly and earthly, "by the word of His power;" Hebrews 1:3 and He has fitted and arranged all things by His wisdom, while He contains all things, but He Himself can be contained by no one: He is the Former, He the Builder, He the Discoverer, He the Creator, He the Lord of all; and there is no one besides Him, or above Him, neither has He any mother, as they falsely ascribe to Him; nor is there a second God, as Marcion has imagined; nor is there a Pleroma of thirty Æons, which has been shown a vain supposition; nor is there any such being as Bythus or Proarche; nor are there a series of heavens; nor is there a virginal light, nor an unnameable Æon, nor, in fact, any one of those things which are madly dreamt of by these, and by all the heretics. But there is one only God, the Creator — He who is above every Principality, and Power, and Dominion, and Virtue: He is Father, He is God, He the Founder, He the Maker, He the Creator, who made those things by Himself, that is, through His Word and His Wisdom — heaven and earth, and the seas, and all things that are in them: He is just; He is good; He it is who formed man, who planted paradise, who made the world, who gave rise to the flood, who saved Noah; He is the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of the living: He it is whom the law proclaims, whom the prophets preach, whom Christ reveals, whom the apostles make known to us, and in whom the Church believes. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: through His Word, who is His Son, through Him He is revealed and manifested to all to whom He is revealed; for those [only] know Him to whom the Son has revealed Him. But the Son, eternally co-existing with the Father, from of old, yea, from the beginning, always reveals the Father to Angels, Archangels, Powers, Virtues, and all to whom He wills that God should be revealed.

Wednesday, 13 April 2022

Homily on Easter by Pope Pius XII (translated into Portuguese)

 

Veneráveis Irmãos, diletos filhos,

 

Enquanto hoje comemoramos cheios de veneração o divino Redentor, que ressurge triunfante da morte, vem à Nossa mente aquela palavra plena de suma sabedoria do Apóstolo dos gentios, ao escrever sobre Cristo: “Foi entregue pelos nossos pecados, e ressuscitou para nossa justificação” (Rm 4, 25). Ele, com efeito, pelos suplícios que livremente suportou e derramando até a morte seu preciosíssimo sangue, expiou os nossos pecados e restituiu-nos, redimidos da escravidão do demônio, à liberdade dos filhos de Deus.

Quando, porém, se ergueu vitorioso do sepulcro, não só alimentou e confirmou a fé dos Apóstolos e a nossa, não só, por seu exemplo, nos convidou a caminhar consigo até o Céu e, refulgindo em corpo glorioso, nos mostrou algo da futura bem-aventurança eterna, mas derramou também a mancheias seus divinos carismas e ordenou à Igreja por si constituída que nutrisse com a graça superna e conduzisse à vida nova todos os homens que de bom grado obedecessem aos seus preceitos. Por esta razão, como aguda e lucidamente nota o Doutor Angélico, “quanto […] à eficiência, que é pela virtude divina, tanto a paixão de Cristo quanto a ressurreição são causa da justificação […], mas, quanto à exemplaridade, propriamente a paixão e morte de Cristo é causa da remissão da culpa, pela qual morremos ao pecado; a ressurreição de Cristo, porém, é causa da vida nova, que é pela graça, ou justificação” (STh III 56, 2 ad 4).

Todos nós, pois, que ao longo dos últimos dias, especialmente durante a Semana Santa, recordando piedosamente as dores e angústias de Jesus Cristo, éramos incitados de modo particular a purificar a alma de suas manchas e a dar morte a nossos pecados — os quais, aliás, foram a causa da divina Redenção —, hoje, nesta superna luz da Páscoa e com efusiva alegria, somos chamados àquela restauração e renovação de vida a que os próprios mistérios celebrados suavissimamente nos impelem. Somos o Corpo místico de Jesus Cristo; aonde pois se dirigiu a glória da Cabeça, para lá é chamada a esperança também do Corpo. “Assim como Cristo ressuscitou dos mortos […], assim nós vivamos uma vida nova” (Rm 6, 4). E do mesmo modo que “Cristo, ressuscitado dos mortos, não morre mais, nem a morte terá sobre ele mais domínio” (Rm 6, 9), assim também nós, movidos por seu exemplo e fortalecidos por sua graça, não só nos despojemos “do homem velho, o qual se corrompe pelas paixões enganadoras” (Ef 4, 22), mas também “nos renovemos no nosso espírito e nos nossos pensamentos, e revistamo-nos do homem novo, criado segundo Deus na justiça e na santidade verdadeiras” (Ef 4, 24).

Estas belíssimas palavras e exortações do Apóstolo dos gentios parecem, de modo particularíssimo, oportunas às solenidades pascais deste Ano Sacro, enquanto os cristãos do mundo inteiro — abertos os tesouros espirituais da Igreja —, são chamados não só a expiar seus pecados, não só a uma forma de vida mais perfeita, mas também a se esforçar com empenho para que todos, purificados de suas culpas e depondo seus erros e preconceitos, se aproximem de bom grado e de boa vontade do único que é o caminho, a verdade e a vida (cf. Jo 14, 6). Reconheçam todos que não pode haver serena tranquilidade para as almas, os povos e as nações, a não ser que todas as coisas se componham segundo aquela reta ordem que nasce dos preceitos evangélicos e é confirmada e sustentada pela graça divina.

Meditem no que Cristo diz aos Apóstolos: “Deixo-vos a paz, dou-vos a minha paz; não vo-la dou, como a dá o mundo” (Jo 14, 27).

Quantos crimes, quantas discórdias, quantas mortes e guerras — como temos experimentado com enorme tristeza — provêm de terem os homens abandonado aquele reto caminho que o divino Redentor indicou com o fulgor de sua luz e consagrou com seu sangue derramado! A ele pois há que se voltar privada e publicamente. E com mente atenta se deve considerar que não pode uma sólida paz governar as cidades sem antes moderar e dirigir primeiro as almas dos cidadãos. É necessário, por conseguinte, coibir com firmeza os apetites túrbidos e desordenados, fazê-los obedientes à razão e esta, enfim, a Deus e à lei divina. A este propósito nos ensina com acerto, embora fosse pagão, o maior orador romano: “A estas perturbações, que a insensatez arroja à vida dos homens e incita qual certas Fúrias, há que resistir com todas as forças e recursos, se queremos isto: viver o que foi dado à vida tranquila e placidamente” (Cícero, Tusc. III 11). Ora, destes “males a cura está posta somente na virtude” (Id., IV 15). Viva pois nas almas, floresça no ambiente doméstico, triunfe na sociedade civil a virtude cristã, a única da qual é lícito esperar aquela renovação dos costumes e a reta e ordenada restauração das coisas públicas que é desejo de todos os bons. Cristo, como bem sabeis, não apenas — o que os filósofos fazem — nos ensina a virtude, senão que também nos exorta com seu exemplo a trabalhar por adquiri-la; excita-nos a vontade, fortalecendo-a com sua graça superna; e, proposto o prêmio da felicidade celeste, nos atrai e impele. Se todos o seguirem, poderão gozar aquela serenidade interna que é a perfeição da alegria (cf. S. Tomás, STh I-II 70, 3), ainda que devam tolerar angústias, perseguições e a injustiça dos homens, porque lhes sucederá o mesmo que sucedeu outrora aos Apóstolos, que “saíam da presença do Sinédrio, contentes por terem sido achados dignos de sofrer afrontas pelo nome de Jesus” (At 5, 41).

E, além disso, se de fato todos possuírem esta paz interna e verdadeira, que se funda na lei divina e é alimentada pela divina graça, então não há dúvida de que também a “ordenada concórdia” (S. Agostinho, De civ. Dei XIX, 13) — extintos os ódios, sedados os maus desejos e feita, segundo os imperativos da justiça e da caridade, uma melhor distribuição das riquezas — poderá felizmente nascer para as ordens civis, os povos e as nações.

É o que Nós, com preces suplicantes, imploramos ao divino Redentor, a quem hoje celebramos ressuscitado e vencedor da morte, enquanto a vós, Veneráveis Irmãos e diletos filhos, repetimos aquelas belíssimas palavras do Apóstolo dos gentios, tão apropriadas para este dia solene: “Alegrai-vos, procurai ser perfeitos, encorajai-vos, tende o mesmo sentir, vivei em paz, e o Deus da caridade e da paz será convosco” (2Cor 13, 11). Amém.

 

Basílica Vaticana aos 11 de abril de 1950