Homilies on Joshua, Homilia V
Baptized into Jesus in the Jordan§1
1On the two and a half tribes who crossed the Jordan, on how the Lord exalted Jesus, and how he circumcised the people. Of those who crossed the Red Sea the Apostle says: All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Of those who crossed the Jordan we may say: all were baptized into Jesus in the Jordan — the form of baptism’s sacrament. The people hastened and crossed — so when we come to saving baptism we must not dawdle but hurry until we “cross” all that is commanded. To cross is to fulfill: Blessed are the poor in spirit; hunger for righteousness; mourn; become meek and peacemaking; bear persecutions with patience. Cross the Jordan with haste; afterward watch lest your steps almost slip.
Latin · §1
De duabus semis tribubus quae transierunt Iordanen, et de Iesu quomodo exaltavit eum Dominus, et quomodo populum circumcidit. De his qui mare rubrum transierunt Apostolus: Omnes in Moysen baptizati sunt in nube et in mari. De his qui Iordanen: omnes in Iesu baptizati sunt in Iordane — forma baptismi. Festinavit populus transire — nobis ad baptismum non otiose sed festinandum usque quo omnia transeamus. Transire est implere mandata: Beati pauperes spiritu; esurire iustitiam; lugere; mansueti; pacifici; persecutiones patientia. Cum festinatione transire Iordanen; postea cautela ne effundantur gressus.
Forty thousand girded with truth§2
2Forty thousand girded men crossed to fight before the Lord, to take Jericho. Who are the girded? Hear Paul: Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth. If truth is our belt for Christ’s warfare, when a lie leaves our mouth we are ungirded from his service. It is not enough to seem truthful before people — truth must be kept in the Lord’s sight, even what God sees in the heart. Of those who speak peace with their neighbor while evil is in their hearts — let the one who advances girded against Jericho be free of all that.
Latin · §2
Quadraginta milia virorum accincti transierunt ad pugnam in conspectu Domini ad expugnandam Hiericho. Qui sunt accincti? Paulus: Estote accincti lumbos vestros in veritate. Si veritas cingulum nostrum, cum mendacium de ore procedit discingimur a militia Christi. Non sufficit apud homines veritatem videri — in conspectu Domini servanda est, etiam quae in corde Deus perspicit. Qui loquuntur pacem cum proximo, mala in cordibus — absque his sit qui accinctus ad expugnandam Hiericho procedit.
The battle after baptism is within§3
3Crossing the Jordan we pass over into battles. What wars meet us after baptism? Learn from Paul: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the world-rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies. These things happened to them as types and were written for us. Let us go out to war until the world’s first malice is stormed and sin’s proud walls fall. Look for no field outside yourself: the fight is within; from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries. These must fall in the first clash; if we cut them down so none remains to breathe, Jesus will give that rest where each sits under his vine and fig tree.
Latin · §3
Transeuntes Iordanen ad pugnas transimus. Quae bella post baptismum? Paulus: Non adversus carnem et sanguinem sed adversus principatus potestates rectores tenebrarum spiritalia nequitiae. Haec in figura contingebant illis, scripta propter nos. Exeamus ad bellum ut prima mundi malitia expugnetur. Intra te proelium; de corde procedunt cogitationes malae. Isti prima acie prosternendi; si ad internecionem caesi, dabitur requies sub vite et ficu.
Today I have rolled away Egypt’s reproach§4
4Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you — the second circumcision at the hill of foreskins. The disobedient are called uncircumcised; what must be circumcised is not only idolatry but subtler vices. The Lord exalted Jesus in Israel’s sight when he crossed the Jordan and circumcised the people. Manna ceased; the land’s fruits are eaten. We who after baptism are freed from Egypt’s reproaches by the heart’s second circumcision enter the land of promise with Jesus as guide. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Latin · §4
Hodie abstuli opprobrium Aegypti a vobis — circumcisio secunda in colle praeputiorum. Qui inoboedientes incircumcisi dicuntur; circumcidenda non solum idololatria sed vitia subtiliora. Exaltavit Dominus Iesum in conspectu Israel cum Iordanen transiit et populum circumcidit. Manna cessat; fructus terrae eduntur. Nos post baptismum secunda circumcisione cordis Aegypti opprobriis liberati, Iesu duce terram repromissionis intramus. Cui gloria in saecula. Amen.