Homilies on Luke

Homily 11. Luke 1.80-2.2

HOMILY 11 Luke I.8o-2.2 On the passagefrom, "But the boy grew and was strengthened in spirit, " up to the point where it says, "This is thefirst census that was made under Cyrinus, the governor ofSyria. " N THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, something is said to "grow" in two senses. One sense is corporeal, that is, when the human will contributes nothing. The other sense is spiritual, that is, when human effort is the cause of the growth. The evangelist now speaks of this latter sense, that is, the spiritual one-which we laid out second-when he says, "But the boy grew and was strengthened in spirit.'" What it means follows : "He grew in spirit." His spirit did not remain in the same condition in which it had begun, but always kept growing in him. In each hour and each moment, as the spirit grew, his soul too kept developing. And not only his soul, but also his senses and his mind kept following the growth of his spirit. The Lord commanded, "Grow and multiply."2 I do not know how those who take this passage simply and literally can explain it. Granted that "multiply" refers to numbers, when they become more in number than theywere previously, they "multiply ." But what precedes, to "grow," that is not in our power. 2. For, what man would not want to "add to his stature,"3to become taller? Something is commanded so that it will be done; it is stupid to command what the one you command cannot do. We are commanded to grow. Hence we are able I. Lk 1.80. 2. Gn 1.22. The usual translation is "increase and multiply," but the word for "increase" is the same as the one for "grow"in Lk 1.80, both in Greek and in Latin. 3· Mt 6.27· 44 HOMILY 11 45 to do what is commanded. Do you want to know how "grow" should be understood? Listen to what Isaac did. Scripture says of him, "Isaac progressed and became greater, until he became great, and very much so.'" His will always tended toward the better, and kept making progress. His mind kept contemplating something more divine, and he kept exercising his memory, to store up more in his treasure-house and retain it more securely. So this is the way it came about. Isaac cultivated all his virtues in the field of his soul, and thus fulfilled the command that ordered him to "grow." 3. Wherefore John too, while still a little boy, grew and multiplied. But it is exceedingly difficult, and very rare among mortals, for one who is still a little child to grow in spirit.5 "But the boy grew and was strengthened in spirit." It is one thing to "grow," another to "be strengthened." Human nature is weak. It needs divine help to become stronger. We read, "The flesh is weak."6What forces can strengthen it? The Spirit, of course, "for the spirit is quick to respond, but the flesh is weak.'" Someone who wants to become stronger should be strengthened only in spirit. Many are strengthened in the flesh, and their bodies become more powerful. But an athlete of Gods should become more powerful in spirit. Thus strengthened, he will crush the wisdom of the flesh. Spiritual activity will subject the body to the soul's command.9 We should not think that, when Scripture says, "He grew and was strengthened in spirit," what was written aboutJohn was just a narrative that does not pertain to us in any way. It is written for our imitation. We should take "growth" in the sense we have explained, and be multiplied spiritually. 4. "And he was in the wilderness until the day of his revelation to Israel."l0 I said recently that even John's conception had something astonishing about it. "The infant leapt in the womb,"lI and, before he was born, he recognized his Lord. 4. Go 26.13· Cf. Homilies on Genesis 12 .5. 5. Lk 1.80. 7. Mt 26,41. 9. Cf. Rom 8·7· II. Lk 1.4144. 6. Mt 26-{1. 8. Cf. 2 Tm 2.3-5. 10. Lk 1.80. 46 ORIGEN His birth wasjust as much a wonder. Zechariah spoke to him as to one who could hear and prophesied, "And you, child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High."'2John had...