Homilies on Leviticus, Homilia VIII
Christ the physician§1
1Scripture calls the Lord Jesus physician. He calls not the healthy but sinners. The law’s herbs are compounded in the Physician’s school.
Latin · §1
Medicum dicit Dominum Iesum. Non sanos vocat sed peccatores. Herbae legis in schola medici componuntur.
A woman who conceives and bears a male§2
2A woman who conceives and bears a male is unclean seven days. Fleshly birth needs purification. “Male” names the stronger sense.
Latin · §2
Mulier quae conceperit et pepererit masculum immunda septem diebus. Nativitas carnis purificatione indiget. Masculus — sensus fortior.
Thirty-three days of blood purification§3
3She remains thirty-three days in the blood of purifying. A medicinal time for the soul. Do not rush the holy things.
Latin · §3
Triginta tribus diebus manet in sanguine purificationis. Tempus medicinale animae. Non festina ad sancta.
If she bears a female§4
4If she bears a female, the days are doubled. The weaker affection asks longer care. Mercy fits the times.
Latin · §4
Si feminam pepererit, bis numeri. Infirmitior affectus longiorem curam poscit. Misericordia tempora adaptat.
Lamb and turtledove, or two turtledoves§5
5A year-old lamb and a turtledove, or two turtledoves if poor. Mary offered the poor’s gift. Christ is the Lamb.
Latin · §5
Agnus anni et turtur, vel duo turtures si pauper. Maria pauperum munus obtulit. Christus agnus.
The plague of leprosy on the skin§6
6A leprous plague on the skin — vice open in conduct. The priest sees and judges. Not every swelling is leprosy.
Latin · §6
Plaga leprae in cute — vitium in conversatione patens. Sacerdos videt et diiudicat. Non omnis tumor lepra.
White as snow — whole body leprous§7
7If leprosy covers the whole body and turns white, he is clean. Full confession makes bright. Who hides a part stays unclean.
Latin · §7
Si lepra totum corpus operuerit et alba fuerit, mundus est. Totalis confessio candidum facit. Qui partem tegit, manet immundus.
Shut up seven days§8
8The priest shuts him up seven days. A trial of silence. Wait for judgment’s light.
Latin · §8
Recludet eum sacerdos septem diebus. Probatio silentii. Expecta lucem iudicii.
Rent clothes, uncovered head, outside the camp§9
9Torn clothes, bare head, outside the camp — sin’s mourning. Who stays unclean remains outside the church’s peace.
Latin · §9
Vestes scissae, caput nudum, extra castra. Luctus peccati. Extra ecclesiae pacem qui immundus perseverat.
Leprosy in a garment§10
10Leprosy in a garment — vice in habit or teaching. Burn what cannot be healed. Put on Christ’s new garment.
Latin · §10
Lepra in veste — vitium in conversatione vel doctrina. Combure quod insanabile. Nova vestis Christi.
The physician finishes the cure — Homilia VIII CLOSEOUT§11
11The priest pronounces clean when health returns. Christ absolves. Do not return to the vomit. Homilia VIII CLOSEOUT. Amen.
Latin · §11
Sacerdos mundum pronuntiat cum sanitas redit. Christus absolvit. Noli redire ad vomitum. Amen.