Commentary on the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount with Seventeen Related Sermons

7 (Denis). SONSHIP OR SERVITUDE

SERMON 7 (Den.)1 Sonship or Servitude ( 1) Everybody knows that we are celebrating the feast of the Pasch during the days when we sing the Alleluia. But, brethren, we must try to understand the inner meaning of that which we are openly celebrating when we say that we are celebrating the Pasch. Pasch is a Hebrew word, and it means a passover; paschein is a Greek word, and it means to suffer; pascere is a Latin word, and it means 'to feed.'2 For, who are they that celebrate the Pasch, except those who pass over from the death of their sins to the life of the righteous? In this sense, the Apostle says: 'We have passed over from death to life, because we love the brethren.'3 Who are they that keep the Pasch, except those who believe in Him who has suffered on earth, in order that they may reign with Him in I See p. 30i. n. 1. 2 At first sight. Augustine may seem to be inferring that the words. Pasch, paschein, and pascere are etymologically related. Elsewhere (d. Enarratio in ps. 140.25). he explicitly denies that there is any such relation: 'As pronounced in Greek. Pascha seems to signify suffering. because paschein means to suffer. But. in the Hebrew tongue. pascha means a passover. according to the interpretation of those who know that language. and if you ask those who are proficient in Greek. they will tell you that pascha is not a Greek word .•• The Greek word for suffering is pathos, not pascha.' In the present instance. then. Augustine disregards etymology and ingeniously avails himself of those three words-remarkably apt by reason of their similarity of sound and diversity in meaning-in order to fix in the minds of his hearers the three virtues he is inculcating. namely. repentance. patience. charity. 3 I John 3.14. 327 328 SAINT AUGUSTINE heaven? Who are they that keep the Pasch, except those who feed Christ in the persons of the poor? For, with reference to the poor, Christ Himself says: 'Whosoever has done it for one of the least of mine, has done it for me.'4 Christ is enthroned in heaven, and is needy on earth; He makes intercession for us with the Father,S and here He asks us for bread. So, fellow bishops, if we wish so to celebrate the Pasch that it will be profitable to us; let us pass over; let us suffer; let us give food. Let us pass over from sins to righteousness; let us suffer for Christ; let us feed Christ in the persons nes; let us suffer for Christ; let us feed Christ in the persons of the poor. Let us fittingly celebrate the Paschal feast, in order that we may enjoy the heavenly feast with Abraham in the kingdom of God. So, let us sing the Alleluia; that is to say, let us praise Him who is.6 Let us praise Him in prosperity and in adversity. Let us not be elated by the prosperity of riches, and let us not be shaken by their loss. Let us say the Alleluia as Job has said it: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away: as it has pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.'7 So, let us 'bless the Lord at all times.'8 If our members are moved to the working of righteousness in accord with the sound of our voice, if our conduct re-echoes the notes of our song, then we are always singing the Alleluia. (2) Now, hear how both the rich and the poor are ordered to sing the Alleluia. The Apostle says: 'Charge the rich of this world not to be proud and not to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but to trust in the living God, who provides all things 4 Matt. 25.40. 5 Rom. 8.34; Heu. 7.25. 6 Exod. 3.14. 7 Job 1.21. 8 Ps. 33.1. SELECTED SERMONS 329 in abundance for our enjoyment. Let them be rich in good works, let them give readily, let them share with others, let them provide for themselves treasure for the time to come, in order that they may lay hold on the true life.'9 Tobias teaches what the poor should sing: 'Fear not, my son, because we lead...