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Jacob of Sarug’s Homilies on Paul
Texts from Christian Late Antiquity
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TeCLA (Texts from Christian Late Antiquity) is a series presenting ancient Christian texts both in their original languages and with accompanying contemporary English translations.
Jacob of Sarug’s Homilies on Paul
On the Conversion of the Apostle Paul and a Second Homily on Paul the Apostle
Translation and Introduction by
Raju Parakkott
Edited with Notes by
Mary T. Hansbury
gp 2021
Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2021 by Gorgias Press LLC
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC. ܐ
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2021
ISBN 978-1-4632-4273-2
ISSN 1935-6846
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A Cataloging-in-Publication Record is available from the Library of Congress. Printed in the United States of America
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .................................................................................... v Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 Outline .............................................................................................. 1 Summary........................................................................................... 3 The Conversion of the Apostle Paul [#61] .......................... 3 A Second Homily on Paul the Apostle [#62] ...................... 4 Text and Translation ............................................................................... 5 Homily 61: The Conversion of the Apostle Paul ............................... 6 Strategems through which Jesus won the world ........................ 6 The changes that Jesus effected on Paul ..................................... 8 The misunderstandings of Paul about Jesus Christ ................. 10 Paul as persecutor ......................................................................... 16 The Light that shone upon Paul ................................................. 22 Light of Gospel ............................................................................. 24 Paul speaks to Jesus ...................................................................... 28 Jesus speaks to Paul ...................................................................... 38 The dialogue between Jewish priests and Paul ......................... 44 Dialogue between Jesus and Ananias ........................................ 50 The encounter between Paul and Ananias................................ 54 Jesus is sole role model of Jesus ................................................. 56 Cross and Paul ............................................................................... 62 Homily 62: A Second Homily on Paul the Apostle ......................... 68 Reason for writing a second mimro on St Paul the Apostle .. 68 Commentary of Gal. 6:17 “for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.” ........................................................ 70 Humility of Paul ............................................................................ 72 Commentary of Gal.6:17 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”..... 76 Commentary of I Cor.4:9 “…we have become a spectacle to the people and to angels.”.............................................. 80 v
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Commentary of Col. I:24 “I am filling up what is lacking in all the sufferings of Christ in body for the sake of the Church which is His body.” ............................................... 84 Commentary of Phil. 3:13 “I forget those things which are behind me because they are in the past and I strain forward as much as I can towards what lies ahead of me.” ........................................................................................ 90 Commentary of Rom 9:3 “I have prayed that I myself were accursed for Israel’s sake so that it may not be estranged from its Saviour.” ............................................... 98 Love of Paul for Jesus ................................................................ 106 Bibliography of Works Cited ............................................................. 113 Index ...................................................................................................... 117 Biblical References ...................................................................... 117 Index of Key Terms ................................................................... 119
INTRODUCTION INFORMATION ON THESE HOMILIES Homily Title: The Conversion of the Apostle Paul Source of Text: Homiliae Selectae Mar-Jacob Sarugensis, edited by Paul Bedjan (Paris-Leipzig: Harrassowitz, 1907), 2nd ed. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2006), vol. 2, pp. 717–747. [Homily 61] Homily Title: A Second Homily on Paul the Apostle Source of Text: Homiliae Selectae Mar-Jacob Sarugensis, edited by Paul Bedjan (Paris-Leipzig: Harrassowitz, 1907), 2nd ed. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2006), vol. 2, pp. 747–769. [Homily 62]
OUTLINE
The first mimro of Jacob of Serugh is a dramatic representation of the events leading up to and including the conversion episode of Paul. The story Jacob relates is rooted in the account given in the Acts of the Apostles. Jacob has pondered and plumbed the depths of this narrative, presenting it afresh in a dramatic fashion. The theme of the drama is the grace of conversion; its protagonist is a clever Hebrew whose zeal for the ancient traditions of his people drives him to persecute the followers of Jesus; its villains are the Jewish priests who are anxious to eradicate a growing threat to the status quo. There are other characters too. Jesus is portrayed as a kind of deus ex machina who intervenes all of a sudden to stop the frenzy of persecution and change the antihero into a true hero. Ananias, who was commanded to open the eyes of the persecutor, is presented as both fearful and skeptical but nevertheless does what he is bidden. The apostles are depicted as simple uneducated people in need of the more polished and erudite Paul who can hold his own in debate with the religious authorities. The narrator of the drama is its author, Jacob. The narrative line of this mimro is interrupted by dialogues between different characters. 1
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By inserting dialogues into the narrative account Jacob manages to highlight certain aspects of Paul’s character. The spoken words of the dramatis personae convey more effectively than a mere recitation of events what the author wants to stress. In these interchanges Jacob shines a light on Paul’s virtues and qualities. Jacob draws on imagery and terminology in the Bible to paint his picture of Paul. Some of these include describing Paul as spectacle or show (62:123), prisoner of Christ and servant of the cross (62:31), fool for Christ (62:166), scum of the world (62:153), Israelite and son of Abraham (62:154), Hermes and insane (62:135–136), tent maker (62:139), worker of miracles and mighty deeds (62:140), murderer and restorer of youth (62:141–142), Roman and Pharisee (62:145–146), etc. In the second mimro the emphasis is on Paul as convert, as someone who opted to become a persecuted one for Jesus’ sake. Jacob begins with an admission that he failed to complete an adequate picture of Paul in the first mimro, and goes on to state that he wants to make up for this deficiency by concentrating exclusively on the sufferings Paul endured for Jesus. Through this lens of suffering, the character of Paul as preacher of Christ, imitator of Christ and persecuted one for Christ is developed in the second mimro. The primary motive of Jacob of Serugh in composing the two mimre on the Apostle Paul is to present a meditation on this biblical character who, for Jacob, is the model par excellence of conversion. Paul experienced a profound change in his life when he encountered the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus. He was converted. The very act of conversion cut the convert’s life in two and in these mimre Jacob examines and explores both halves. The erstwhile persecutor of the followers of Christ became, after his conversion, a persecuted follower of Christ. He who experienced a radical reorientation in his life went on to preach the radical message of the cross, the only authentic instrument of change. Jacob goes to the heart of the Christian message in these mimre on Paul. Paul is a strong hero but also a weak human being, a great sinner who became a great saint. Jacob’s contemplation of the conversion of Paul is ultimately a confession of the mighty deeds of God. Jacob creatively adds to the biblical account of his hero and imagines various scenes that are found in neither the Acts of the Apostles nor the Pauline letters. Jacob’s reading of scripture fires his imagination and he explores the deeper meaning of the text by
INTRODUCTION
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expanding the narrative. The scenes he creates are non-biblical in a literal sense but very biblical in a spiritual one. Jacob, the flute of the Spirit, is attuned to the silent music of the biblical words and can sing out their glorious melodies. Jacob based his mimre on the Apostle Paul, on the biblical accounts given in both the Acts of the Apostles and in the Apostle’s own letters. While there is nothing contrary to the biblical presentation in both mimre, there is an imaginative expansion of the narrative. This is not a betrayal of the text. Rather it is the work of Jacob’s poetic genius whose deep insight into the biblical account allows him to creatively express its spiritual meaning. Jacob was possessed of a gentle and kind spirit and he eschewed all doctrinal polemics. His gentleness and humility rendered him acceptable to all and everyone. In these mimre he does not attempt to present controversial theological ideas about the Apostle Paul, but presents him as a model of Christian life and as a model of hope. Here is a sinner who by the grace of God was made a great saint and a ‘chosen vessel’. In praising Paul he is praising the work of grace which is possible for all. The Lord who is mighty did great things for Paul. As a bishop, Jacob is preaching the same message to each of his flock. The mimre are no mere encomium but a pastoral message on the boundless love of God.
SUMMARY The Conversion of the Apostle Paul [#61] Stratagems through which Jesus won the world (1–22) Changes that Jesus effected in Paul (23–38)
Misunderstanding of Paul about Jesus Christ (39–56) Paradoxical titles attributed to Paul (57–74)
Reasons for inducting learned Paul among the uneducated band of Apostles (75–104)
Paul as persecutor (105–150)
The Light that shone upon Paul (151–188)
Light of the Gospel (189–224)
Paul speaks to Jesus (225–323)
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Jesus speaks to Paul (324–374)
The dialogue between Jewish priests and Paul (375–432)
Dialogue between Jesus and Ananias (433–484)
The encounter between Paul and Ananias (485–510)
Jesus is sole role model of Jesus (511–564) Cross and Paul (565–598)
A Second Homily on Paul the Apostle [#62] Reason for writing a second mimro on St. Paul the Apostle (1–34)
Commentary of Gal. 6:17 “…for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.” (35–60) Humility of Paul (61–86)
Commentary of Gal. 6:17 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (87–120)
Commentary of I Cor. 4:9 “…we have become a spectacle to the people and to angels.” (121–174) Commentary of Col. 1:24 “I am filling up what is lacking in all the sufferings of Christ in body for the sake of the Church which is his body.” (175–222)
Commentary of Phil. 3:13 “I forget those things which are behind me because they are in the past and I strain forward as much as I can towards what lays ahead of me.” (223–300)
Commentary of Rom. 9:3 “I have prayed that I myself were accursed for Israel’s sake so that it may not be estranged from its savior.” (301–384) Love of Paul for Jesus (385–414)
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HOMILY 61: THE CONVERSION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL STRATEGEMS THROUGH WHICH JESUS WON THE WORLD
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The humility of Jesus took the whole earth captive and without coercion He attracted the world by His preaching. He made Crucifixion—an emblem of shame—into an heroic feat; being greatly dishonoured, He gave honour to those who were in need. By the sufferings He endured, the world was awakened to faith in Him and by His wounds He wrested power from the powerful. In weakness His deeds of power did swiftly run, (yet) people did not see His glory and do Him homage. In mockery He laid hold of the diadem of kingliness; from His bruises has His glory shone out upon creation. What to others is a cause of shame, in Him became honour; death overwhelms all the mighty, yet by death did He become mighty. The Crucified took for His carriage the crippling instrument of suffering and surpassed the fiery (chariots) of kings in their swiftness. At the Crucifixion He wrenched away all veneration to the gods; He was slain and thus exposed the falsehood of all idols on this earth. By His lowliness He humbled the mighty in their conceit and the crowns of rulers became a footstool at His feet. In persecuting Him, His persecutors even became subject to Him
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܡܐܡܪܐ ܣܐ ܽ ܕܥܠ ܰܦܘܠܘܣ ܺ ܰ ܠܛ ܳ ܘܒܢܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܰܕ ܺܐܡܝܪ ܥܩܘܒ ܰܡ ܳ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ� ܽ �ܦܢܐ. 1
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ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܝܟܘܬܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܳ� ܰܕ ݂ܬ ݀ �ܪܥܐ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܡܟ ܳܽ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰܘܕ� ܩܛܝܪܐ ܢܓܕܗ �ܥܠܡܐ ܒܟܪܘܙܘܬܗ܀ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܕܚܣܕܐ ܰ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܳܐܬܐ ܶ ܥܒܕ ܢܶ ܳ ܨܚܢܐ܆ ܣܢ ܺ �ܕ ܺ ܟܡܐ ܕ� ܰ� ܺܩܝܪ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܺܐ ܳܝܩܪܐ ܰ ܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܣܒܠ ܶܐ ܺ ܬܬܥܝܪ ܳܥܠܡܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܗ ܶ ܒܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܝܡܢ ܶܒܗ܆ ܒܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬܶܗ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܫܩܠ ܽܐ ܳ ܘܚܕܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ܺܙ ̈� ܶܙ ܐ܀ ܰܺ ܳܺ ܪܗܛܘ ܽܣ ܳ ܳ ܒܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܶܗ ܶ ܝܦܐܝܬ܆ ܘܥ� ܰܢܘܗܝ ܚܪ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܚܙܬ ݀ ܐ ܳܢ ܽܫܘܬܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܟܢ ݂ ݀ ܐܬܪ ܰ ܬ ܶܠܗ܀ ܰܠܘ ܬ ܫܒܘܚܬ ܰܗ ܳ ݂ ܳ ̱ ܥܕܝ ܬܓܐ ܳ ܬܚ ܰܣܕ ܐ ܺ ܰܟܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܕܡ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܆ ܘܡܢ ܽܫ ܳ ܶ ܘܩ ܶܦܗ ܰܐ ܰܙܗܪ ܽܫ ܶ ܘܒܚܗ ܰܥܠ ܶܒ ܳ ��ܬܐ܀ ܶ ܰ ܒܡܘܢ ܰܕ ܐ ܳ ܚ� ܶܢܐ ܶܡ�ܛ ܺ ܽ ܥܪܝܢ ܶܒܗ ܐ ܰ ܬ� ܰܩܪ ܽܗܘ܆ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܦ� ̱ܗܘ ܽܕܟܠ ܰ� ܺܙ ̈� ܶܙ ܐ ܶ ܬܓ ܰ ܘܒܗ ܶܐ ܰ ܢܒܪ܀ ܰܡܘܬܐ ܕܫ ܶ ܶ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܰ ܫܩܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܽܪܟܘܒܐ ܺ ܚܓܝܪܐ ܰܕܡ� ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ܆ �ܒ ܶ ܰܘ ܺ ܬܪܗ ܰܒ ܶ ܕܡ ̈� ܶܟܐ ܰ ܘܩ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܰܠ ܽ ܐܪܦܝ ܳ �ܩܐ ܰ ܝܗܘܢ܀ ܰ ܶ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܰ ܫܩܠ ܶܣ ̈ܓ ܳܕܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳ� ̈ܗܐ܆ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܦܬ ܶ ܩܛܝܠ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܦ ܶ ܟ� ܐ ܰܕ ܐܪܥܐ ܰܕܨ ̈� ܶܡܐ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܪܣܐ ܒܡ ܺܟ ܽ ܝܟܘܬܶܗ ܰܫ ܶܦܠ ܳ� ܶܡܐ ܰ ܰ ܕ� ܺܙ ܺܝܙܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ ܳ ܕܫ ܺ�ܝ̈ ܳܛܢܶܐ ܽܟܘܒܫܐ ܶ �� ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܗܘܘ ܬ ̈ܶܓܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ ܓ� ̱ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰܒ ܺܪܕ ܽ ܫܬ ܰ ܥܒܕܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ ܝܦܘܬܗ ܐܦ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܐ
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so that, without compulsion, they might accept sufferings for His sake. By His infirmity He instructed his enemies, so that they might become His friends and even die for Him.
THE CHANGES THAT JESUS EFFECTED ON PAUL
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See! By His teaching He made the persecutor 1 into a persecuted one 2 and the insolent one into the chosen vessel 3 of His proclamation. Through Saul, the mattock, 4 who set out to uproot the churches, He laid the foundations 5 of faith for the whole world. He made the demolisher the architect 6 of His building, 7 He laid the foundation upon which all true ones will construct. The wonder is that someone can be praised by his foes and that even his enemies defend his innocence. The testimony of friends, even though trustworthy, is insufficient, so that He enlisted His enemy to become a witness of His proclamation. He who was full of murderous rage 8 towards the disciples was the one He appointed to defend them, His true ones.
Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14. 2 Cor. 11:23–28; Acts 16:19–24; Acts 23:23–24:27; Acts 28:16–31. 3 Acts 9:15. 4 1 Sam. 13:20; 1 Sam. 13:21. 5 1 Cor. 3:10. 6 1 Cor. 3:10. 7 1 Cor. 3:9. 8 Acts 26:10. 1 2
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܺ ܽ ܶ ܩܛܝܪܐ ܰܚܫܐ ܰܢܩ ܽ ܒ�ܘܢ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ܀ ܰܕܕ� ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܠܒܥ ܠܕܒ ̈ܒܘܗܝ ܒܡܚܝ�ܘܬܗ ܐܪܬܝ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܕܢܗܘܘܢ �ܚܡܐ ܘܐܦ ܕܢܡܘܬܘܢ ܡܛܠܬܗ܀ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܗܐ ܳ �ܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܰܥ ܶ �ܦ ܽܢܘܬܗ܆ ܒܕܗ ܒܡ ܶ ܡܨ ܳ ܥܪܢܐ ܳܡܐܢܐ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ �ܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܗ܀ �� ܳ ̈ܕܬܐ ܰ ܒܫܐܘܠ ܰܡܐ ܳܪܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܢܦܩ ܢܶ ܽ ܥܩܘܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܶܒܗ ܰ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܐ ܳ ܬܪܨ ܽܕ ̈ ܕܗ ܳ ܘܡ ܶܣܐ ܰ �ܥܠܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ܀ ܰ �ܗܘ ܳܥ ܽܩܘܪܐ ܰ ܥܒܕ ܰܐ ܺܪܕܟ� ܰܥܠ ܶܒ ܳ ܢ�ܢܶܗ܆ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܬܐܣܬܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܝܗ ܢܶ ܽ ܥܠ ̇ ܒܢܘܢ ܽܟܠ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܶܝ� ܐ܀ ܘܣܡ ܫ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܬܗܪܐ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܡܢ ܣܢܐܘܗܝ ܢܬܩܠܣ ܐ̱ܢܫ܆ ܶ ܠܕܒ ܰ̈ܒܘܗܝ ܢܶ ܽ ܰܘܒܥܶ ܳ ܦܩܘܢ ܽܪܘܚܐ ܰܥܠ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬܗ܀ ܶ ܽ ܘܟܠ ܳܣ ܽ ܗܕܘܬܗ ܳܕܪܚܡܐ ܺ ܒܨܝܪܐ ̱ܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܰܫ ܺܪܝܪܐ ̱ܗܝ܆ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܗܘܐ ܳܣܗܕܐ ܳ ܝܬܝ ܕܢܶ ܶ �ܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܗ܀ �ܣܢܐܗ ܐ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܶ ܕܩܛ� ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈�ܕ ܐ܆ܶ �ܗܘ ܕ ܰܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܶܠܗ ܐ ܺܩܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܦܘܩ ܪܘܚܐ ܕܫܪܝ� ܐ ܐ̱ܢܘܢ܀
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The man who was dragging off 9 (to prison) men and women because of Jesus, was the very one He caused to be dragged off on account of His teaching. Wisely He hunted the hawk 10 and turned it into a dove, 11 showing His power over even the wildest of creatures.
THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF PAUL ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
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Saul breathed threats 12 and was filled with anger against the disciples. He inflicted all sorts of torments on them because of Jesus. He had clothed himself with zeal for the Law of the house of Adonai, 13 so that—not knowing his Son—he might persecute with authority. In the vineyard of the Father he laboured with great effect, not knowing that Jesus whom he was persecuting was the heir. He was the watchman appointed to guard the Nation from the Gentiles; he went in pursuit of the King not recognizing Him in disguise. He was vigilant each day to protect the Lord of the Sabbath; he made it clear he was all set and spied on Him (who was concealed) in different attire. The Prince put on garments of low degree and went to check whether the sentinel guarding the barricades was awake. When the watchman saw Him in unbecoming and worthless apparel, he chased after Him, as ever vigilant he never slept. When he grew weary and did not overtake Him—spare us his effort! —He, the Prince, manifested the brightness of His glory and flung Saul to the ground. Acts 8:3. Job 39:26; Lev. 11:13–16; Dt. 14:11–15. 11 Mt. 10:16. 12 Acts 9:1. 13 Acts 22:3. 9
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܽ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܡܓ ܰ �ܕ ܰ ܒ� ܐ ܘܢܶ ̈ܫܐ ܶܡܛܠ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܆ ܪܓܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܓ ܚܠܦ ܽ� ܳ ܪܓܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܬܓ ܰ ܶܠܗ ܳܣܡ ܽܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܘܠܦܢܶܗ܀ ܝܡܐܺܝܬ ܳ� ܶܕܗ �ܢܶ ܳ� ܐ ܰ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܘܥ ܶ ܒܕܗ ܰ�ܘܢܐ܆ ܟܒܘܫ ܰܒ ܺ ܡ� ܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܥܪ ܳܝ��ܶܐ܀ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܶܚܡܬܐ ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܬ ܺ ܺ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܆ �ܚܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܘ ܽ ܽ ܣܒܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ �ܨ ܺܢܝܢ ܰܡ ܶ ܘܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܶܡܛܠ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܀ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܛܢܢܐ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ �ܒܝܫ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܕ ܰܘܢܝ܆ ܘܣܝܐ ܰܕܟܕ � ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܰܠ ܳ ܒܪ ̇ܗ ܢܶ ܽܪܕܘܦ ܶܡܢ ܽܐ ܳ ܘܚܕ ܶܢܗ܀ ܪܡܗ ܰܕ ܐܒܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܰ ܒܟ ܶ ܬܟ ܰܫܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܒܚܝ� ܰܪܒܐ܆ ܰ ܘ� ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܳ�ܪܬ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܟܕ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܶܠܗ܀ ܰܕܘܩܐ ܺܣܝܡ ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܽܛܘܪ ܰܥܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܟ� ܶ�ܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰܘܚܙܐ ܰ �ܡܠܟܐ ܘܒܬܪܗ ܢܦܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕ ܐܫܬܓܢܝ ܠܗ܀ ܶ ܽ ܰܥܠ ܰܡ ܰܛܪܬܗ ܳ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܳ ܨܒܐܘܬ ܺܥܝܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ܆ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܰܕܥܬܝܕ܀ ܘܟܕ ܶܒܐܣܟܡܐ ܐ̱ܚܪܢܐ ܰܓ ܽܫ ̱ ܫܩܠ ܰܒܪ ܰܡܠܟܐ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܢܶ ܽ �ܒܘܫܐ ܰܒܣܝܐ ܰ ܽ ܣܥܘܪ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܩܪܒܬܢܐ ܳܕܢܛܪ ܽܫܘܪܐ ܰܕܠܡܐ ܰܕ ܺܡܝܟ܀ ܠ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܘܟܕ ܒܐܣܟܡܐ ܡܚܝ� ܘܫܝܛܐ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܢܛܘܪܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳܒ ܶ ܒܡܛܪܬܗ � ܳܢܐܡ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܬܪܗ ܰܪܕܦ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܺܗܝ ܘ� ܰܡ ܶ ܕܪܟ ܶܠܗ ܳܚܣ ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܥ ܶ ܡܠܗ܆ ܘܟܕ ܐ ܶ ܶ ܰܘܙܗܪܐ ܽ ܕܫ ܶ ܘܒܚܗ ܓ� ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܠܗ ܰܣܚܦܗ ܰܒܐܪܥܐ܀
B 719
12 55
60
65
70
HOMILIES ON PAUL
The brightness of the royal crown flashed on the Persecutor. It knocked him to the ground. The terrifying episode collared him: why was he persecuting? Love requires that this story be told by Love: listening, however intently, without love, has no effect. You and I will not be wearied by its length! Come and rejoice! Every little detail is filled with love. Paul too was full of love in his preaching and so became a mighty champion of the Good News. In love, then, let me tell a story that is full of reward, receiving inspiration from reading the account of Paul. What shall I call him? Enemy of Jesus or His friend, assiduous persecutor, or endlessly persecuted? Source of sorrow to disciples or cause of gladness to apostles, implacable adversary, or ardent lover? Eloquent scribe or mouthpiece of Judaism, or harp, resonant with the music of apostleship? Skilled orator and interpreter of the scriptures of the house of Adonai, or disciple schooled in the simplicity of John? Wisely was he caught for the preaching of the Gospel, to complement the band of unschooled disciples.
13 55
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܳ ܕܡܠܟܐ ܰܐ ܶ ܕܬ ܶܓܗ ܰ ܒܪܩ ܰܥܠ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ܆ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰ ܐܚܕܗ ܽܓܘܢܚܐ ܰ ܘܟ ܳܦܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܒܐܪܥܐ ܰܘ ܶ �ܡܢ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܫܪܒܐ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܳܒܥܶܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܶܒܗ܆ ܰ ܰ ܕ� ܽܚܘܒܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܐ ܽܢܗܘ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܫܡܥ � ܳ�ܬܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀ ܬܒ ܰܛܠ ܶܐܢܐ ܰܘܐܢ ̱ ܽܬܘܢ ܰܒ ܺܐ� ܳ � ܢܶ ܰ ܝܟܬܐ܆ ܰܒ ܽ ܘ��ܬܐ ܰ ܕܡ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܰܬܘ ܢܶ ܰ ܙܥ ܳ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ܀ ܶ ܶ ܳܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܰܦ ܳ ܡ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܒܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܗ܆ ܘܠܘܣ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܺ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܢܨܚ ܰܒ ܰ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐܝܬ܀ ܶ ܒܚܘܒܐ ܳܡ ܶܕܝܢ ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܫ ܶ ܽ ܪܒܗ ܡ� ܽ�ܘܬ ܳ� ܶܢܐ܆ ܰܟܕ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ ܐܢܐ ܽ ܡ�ܘܐܐ ܶ �ܡ ܰܠܬܝ ܶܡܢ ܶܩ ܳ ܪ�ܢܶܗ܀ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܝܟܢ ܶܐ ܶ ܰܐ ܰ ܩܪܝܘܗܝ ܳܣܢܐܗ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܐܘ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܶ ܝܒܗ܆ �ܝܘܡ ܰܐܘ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܽܕܟ ܶ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ �� ܳ ̈ܕ ܺܢܝܢ܀ ܕ� ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܺ ܡܥܝܩ ܰܬ ܺ ܫܠ ܽ ܡܚ ܳ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܰܐܘ ܰ ܝܚܘܬܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܒܥܶ ܳ ܠܕܒܒܐ ܰܟܝ ܐܘ ܰܕܡ ܳܪܚܡܐ ܰܘܡ� ܽܚܘܒܐ܀ ܡܠܝ� ܰܘ ܰ ܳܣܦܪܐ ܺ ܡܦ ܳ ܫܩܢܐ ܽܕ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܕ ܽ�ܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܶܳ ܰ ܺ ܬܝܪ ܳ ̈ܩ ܶ� ܰܕ ܺ ܫܠ ܽ ܝܚܘܬܐ܀ ܐܘ ܟܢܪܐ ܥ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܺܪܗܛܪܐ ܡܠܝ� ܡܬܪ ܓܡ ܣܦ� ܐ ܕܒܝܬ ܐܕܘܢܝ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܝܛܘܬܐ ܶ ܕܒܝܬ ܽ� ܰ ܘܚ ܳܢܢ܀ ܐܘ ܡܬܓܘܣ ܒܦܫ ܬܬܨܝܪ ܳܗܢܐ ܳ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܝܡܐܺܝܬ ܶܐ ܺ �ܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܠܓܘܕܐ ܺ ܕܬ ܺ ܢܶ ܶ �ܡ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܰܚܒܪܐ ܽ ܝܕܘܬܐ܀ ܒܪܝܪܬܐ
B 720
14 75
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90
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He chose the foolish to shame the wise; 14 not by clever argument but by mighty deed would He attest His teaching. So that the obstinate might not mock the apostles’ ignorance, one schooled in the Law was placed in their midst. From inside their own house Saul grew as a thorn, 15 to rebuke them through their own Law regarding the Son of the Lord. Simon, the chosen one, was contemptible to the scribes as a mere fisherman; as indeed were all the apostles who were with him, because they were ignorant men. For this reason He singled out Saul from among those who were learned, to vindicate the simple ones and prove them true. So that, when they dispense with circumcision, customs and traditions, the Nation could not accuse them of not reading the book of Moses: “In their ignorance they treat with contempt the rituals of Judaism; they transgress the Law because they never learned it.” It is indeed beautiful that Paul came on the scene, as we have related; he, the intelligent writer, along with the unlearned apostles, will proclaim the truth. He who had learnt the full order of the old dispensation, rejected it all and boasted of the new. He who trained with feasts, Sabbaths and new moons,16 set them aside and thereafter was just simply guided and led.
1 Cor. 1:27. 2 Cor. 12:7. 16 Col. 2:16. 14 15
15 75
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܒܗܘܢ ܰܢ ܶ �ܚ ܺܟܝ̈ ܶܡܐ ܽ ܓܒܐ ܶ �ܗ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘ ܶܛܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܒܗܬ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܶ ܒܚܝ� ܺܢܩܝܡ ܽ� ܳ ܰ ܕܠܘ ܰܒ ܳܕܪܫܐ ܐ � ܰ ܘܠܦܢܶܗ܀ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܝܛ ܽ ܘܬܗܘܢ ܰܥܡܐ ܰܥܣܩܐ܆ ܰܘܕ� ܰܢ ܶܗܠ ܒܫ ܰ ܘܡ�ܦܐ ܶ ܚܠܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ ܒܗܘܢ ܰܚܕ ܰܪܕܝܐ ܰ ܕܡܢ ܳܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ܀ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܢܒܥ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܫܦܝܐ ܰ ܝܬܗ ܰ �ܥܡܐ ܳܫܐܘܠ܆ ܡܢ ܓܘ ܒ ܶ ܰܕܢ ܶܟܣ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܥܠ ܰܒܪ ܳܡ ܶܪܗ ܶܡܢ ܳܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ܀ �ܣ ܶ ܦ� ܐ ܶܫ ܽ ܺܫܝܛܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܡܥܘܢ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܰܕܨ ܳ�ܕܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܕܗ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘܛܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܘܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܽܓܘܕܐ ܰܕܢ ܺܩܝܦܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܳ ܓܒܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ �ܫܐܘܠ ܶܡܢ ܶܕ ܐܬ ܰܕ ܰܪܫ܆ ܶ ܰ ܕܥܡ ܶܗ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘ ܶܛܐ ܢܶ ܽܦܘܩ ܽܪܘܚܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܺܪ ܶܝ� ܐ ܐ̱ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܽ ܢܛ ܳ ܕ� ܰܟܕ ܳܫ ܶܪܝܢ ܽ ܘ�ܘܬܐ܆ ܓܙܘܪܬܐ ܥ�ܕ ܐ ܘ ܒܣ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܰܥܡܐ ܳܕ ܐܦ� ܶ ܩܪ ܐ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܶ ܺܢ ܰ ܦ�ܝ ܽܡ ܶ ܘܫܐ܀ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܒܗ ܽܕ�ܘܛ ܽ ܶ ܘܬܗܘܢ ܳܫܝܛܝܢ ܛ ̈ܟ ܶܣܐ ܽܕ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܕ ܽ�ܘܬܐ܆ � ܶܓܝܪ ܺ� ܶ�ܦܘ ܰܥܠ ܳܗܝ ܳܥ ܺ ܒܪܝܢ ܰܥܠ ܳܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ܀ ܰ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܰ�ܥܠ ̱ܗܐ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰܐܡ ܰܪܢܢ܆ ܫܪܪܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܕܥܡ ܶܗ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘ ܶܛܐ ܳ ܡܗܝܪܐ ܰ ܳܣܦܪܐ ܺ ܟܪܙ܀ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳܗܢܐ ܺܕ ܶ ܕܥܬ�̈ ܳܩܬܐ܆ ܝܠܦ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܛܟܣܐ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ̈ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܒܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ �ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܐܣܠܝ ܘܒܚܕܬܬܐ ܡ ܺ ̈ܶ ܘܫ ̈ܶܒܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܒܪܫ ܰ� ܶ ܐܕ ܐ ܰ �ܚܐ܆ ܶܡܢ ܶܕ ܐܬ ܰܕ ܰܪܫ ܒܥ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܛ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܐܪܦܝ ܗܠܝܢ ܘܦܫ
B 721
16 95
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HOMILIES ON PAUL
He who was carrying the whole burden imposed by Moses, shrugged it off to accept the yoke of Crucifixion. The Gospel seized this intelligent scribe to show through him that its simplicity confounds all the intelligent ones. 17 The skillful and learned one mingled with the simple and untaught ones, without altering in any way the (essential) proclamation. Like (Peter) the Fisherman he spoke simply and spoke only of the Cross as, indeed, did they. This great cause enlisted Paul as an apostle, that the truth might be revealed to the crucifiers as the noonday sun.
PAUL AS PERSECUTOR
He was the persecutor aptly chosen by the Lord who took him and placed him within the circle of the apostles. He put on zeal to take captive the disciples of the Son, inflicting every kind of torment in His name. He sought letters from the priestly leaders as they thirsted for blood, stirring up murder against the disciples. His anger was kindled and his fury inflamed, as he inflicted suffering on all who professed the name of Jesus. He was full of rage—not simply to condemn but to kill. He was issuing threats—not simply to revile but to quench his thirst for blood.
17
1 Cor. 1:25.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܶܡܢ ܰܕܛܥܶܢ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܡܘܒ� ܰܕ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܽܡ ܶ ܘܫܐ܆ ܝܪ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܫܩܠ ܺܢ ܳ ܝܚ ̇ܗ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܨܠ ܽ ܰܐ̱ ܺܢ ܳ ܝܒܘܬܐ܀ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܶܚ ܰ ܬ ܳܣܦܪܐ ܺ ܰ ܛܦ ݂ ݀ ܡܗܝܪܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܬܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܒܗ܆ ܳ ܰ ܕܒ ܺܪ ܽܝܪܘܬ ̇ܗ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܳܪܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܺܟܝ̈ ܶܡܐ܀ ܰ ܰ ܺ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺܨܢܝܥܐ ܰ ܒܗ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘܛܐ܆ ܘܪܕܝܐ ܚܠܛ ܒܦܫܝܛܐ ܘ ܫܟܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܢܚ ܶܠܦ ܳ ̈ܩ ܶ� ܳ ܘ� ܶܐ ܰ �ܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܀ ܰ ܰܳ ܽ̈ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰܺ ܳ ܺ ܝܡܐܝܬ܆ ܐܝܟ ܨ�ܕܐ ܕ�ܘ ܢܐ ܡܠܠ�ܬܡ ܘܡ ܽ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶ �ܚܘܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܢܗܘܢ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܰܒ ܽ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܰ ܶ ܛܬܗ ܰ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܒ ܺ ܠܦ ܳ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܥܶ ܫܠ ܽ ܝܚܘܬܐ܆ ܠܬܐ ܚܠ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܳ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܫܪܪܐ ܓ� ܐܝܟ ܶܫܡܫܐ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܳܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ܀ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܝܡܐܝܬ܆ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘܢܓܕܗ ܡܪܢ ܚܟ ܒܓܘ ܶܐ ܺ ܣܦ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܰܘܐܥܶܠ ܰܚ ܶ ܫܠ ܽ ܒܫܗ ܰ ܝܚܘܬܐ܀ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܠܬ ܺ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܢܶ ܽ ܐܣܘܪ܆ �ܒܫ ̱ܗܘܐ ܛܢܢܐ ܕ �ܡ ̈� ܰܕ ̱ ܽ ܽ̈ ܳܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܣܒܠ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ܀ ܘܟܠ ܐܘ�ܨ ܢܝܢ ܢ ܶܫܐܠ ܶܐ ܳ ̈ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܓ�ܬܐ ܰܕ�ܒܝ ܟܗܢܐ ܨܗ�ܝ ܠܕܡܐ܆ ܕܡܠܝܐ ܶܩܛ� ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܬ ܺ ܰܕ ܺܢܥܝܪ ܶܗܪܬܐ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܀ ܐܬܓ ܰܘܙܠ ܗܘܐ ܽ ܫܓ ݂ܪܬܶܗ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܰ ܒܪܘܓܙܐ ܰܪܒܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܘܕ ܐ ܰܒ ܶ ܫܡܗ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܕܡ ܶ ܰܕ�ܝܢܐ ܰ ܣܒܠ܀ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܡ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܰܠܘ ܰܕ ܰܢܨ ܰܥܪ ܐ � ܕܢܶܩܛܘܠ܆ ܨܗܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܠܘ ܰܕ ܰܢܨ ܶܚܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܰܠܕܡܐ ܶ ܬ� ܰܚܡ ̱ܗܘܐ܀
B 722
18 115
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From the crucifiers he took up arms against the disciples. Their letters were mandates to murder and to inflict much suffering. He was supported in his pillage by priests baying for blood, so that he might go and brew a cup of death for the disciples. Astutely did Truth corner and capture him that the implacable adversary might become bearer of the Good News. Everyone knew him as the enemy of Jesus; 18 later he would be called to suffer martyrdom because of his conversion. On the road He took him from the ranks of the persecutors and called him, manifesting His glory by summoning him to His side. He allowed the whole world to know that Paul is His enemy, so that when He makes him His witness he will be trustworthy. He revealed Himself on the road and shrewdly pursued him so that he might speak of the beauties of Jesus as is His due. His preaching about Jesus seemed hypocrisy to his hearers because only the day before he was vilifying Him harshly. Paul was no friend of Jesus—there was no plot between the two to deceive. Rather, Paul learned the truth—otherwise he would not have preached. He received letters (of authorization) and the whole community took fright at his very name: this man has tried to obliterate the name of the Nazarene from our people.”
18
Acts 9:21.
19 115
120
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܶܡܢ ܽܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܰ ܫܩܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܰܙܝܢܐ ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܆ ܺ ܕܡ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܶܩܛܥܐ ܶ ܽܟܠ ܶܐ ܳ ܓ�ܬܐ ܰ ܘܪ ܽܒܘ ܰܚ ̈ܫܝܢ܀ �ܚܪܒܐ ܰ ܳܙܘ ̈ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ܫܩܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ܰܨ ̈ܗ ܰ�ܝ ܰܠܕܡܐ܆ ܰ ܠܬ ܺ ܡܙܘܓ ܳܟܣܐ ܰ ܺܕܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܢܶ ܽ �ܡ ܽ ܝܕܘܬܐ܀ ܕܡܘܬܐ ܫܒܗ ܽܩܘܫܬܐ ܶ ܝܡܐܺܝܬ ܰܚ ܶ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ ܘܟܢ ܳ� ܶܕܗ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܗܘܐ ܳܣ ܳܢܐܐ ܶ ܘܟܢ ܰܡܥܶܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܳ ܕܢܶ ܶ �ܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܀ ܺ ܰ �ܢܫ ܰܕܒܥܶ ܳ ܪܓܫ ܽܟ ܳ ܰܐ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܠܕܒ ܶܒܗ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܐܝܬ ̱ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܩܪܝܗܝ ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܬܪ ܳܗ ܶ ܣܥܘܪ ܰܥܠ ܶܡܐܬܝܬܗ܀ ܘܒ ܝܕܝܢ ܳ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܐܦܩܗ ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܢܫܬܡܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܢ � ܕܘܦܐ܆ ܘܒܚܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܶ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܢܶ ܶ ܘܟܢ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܶܠܗ ܽܫ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰܫ ܶ ܒܩܗ ܰܕܢ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܪܓܫ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܳܥܠܡܐ ܕܣܢܐܗ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܕܥ ܶܒܕ ܶܠܗ ܳܣܗܕܐ ܽ ܕܡܐ ܳ ܒܩܘܫܬܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܰܫ ܺܪܝܪ܀ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܕܒ ܶ ܳ ܬܗ ܳ ܝܡܐܝܬ܆ ܬܪܗ ܰܢ ܺܦܝܩ ܚܟ ܓܠܝ ̱ܗܝ ܒܐܘ�ܚ ܶ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܦܐܶܐ ܶܠܗ ܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳܝ�ܬܗ܀ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܟܪܙ ܶܠܗ ܳܡܢ ܳܪ ܶܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܡܣܒ ܒܐܦܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܺ ܡܩ ܶ ܩܕܡ ܰ�ܘܡܐ ܰ ܰܕ ܳ �ܩܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐܝܬ܀ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܠܘ ܳܪ ܶ ܥܒܕ ܬ ܰܢܘܝ ܰܘ ܰܢܕ ܶܓܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܚܡܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢ ܫܪܪܐ ܺ� ܶܠܦ ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ� ܚܙܐ � ܰܡ ܶ ܳ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܫܩܠ ܶܐ ܳ ܓ�ܬܐ ܽ ܰ ܟܢܘܫܬܐ ܰܒ ܶ ܘܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܽ ܫܡܗ ܳܪ ܰܒ ݂ ݀ ܬ܆ ܳܕܗܢܐ ܳܥ ܶܛܐ ܶ ܫܡܗ ܳܕܢ ܳ�ܪܝܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܰܥ ܰܡܢ܀
B 723
20 135
140
145
150
HOMILIES ON PAUL
Cultivated, intelligent, and zealous to a fault, 19 he will eradicate this deception lest it take hold. Renowned and learned, a luminary in the Law, his intelligence gives credence to all that he says. Highly educated and well versed in Judaism, he knows the scriptures and is a scholar to boot. Aflame with zeal and untarnished by falsehood, he would, if necessary, give his life for the Law. Passionate about the Mosaic Law and steeped in the mysteries of prophecy, he would never succumb to falsehood. Conscientiously he went on his way to persecute Jesus. No one questions his sincerity or doubts his love of truth. The news arrived and incited them (Jews): to give praise. Bloodshed was welcomed by approving ears. He went on his way carrying menacing letters. 20 He breathed out fury to inflict death upon the disciples. When this reckless persecution reached its peak, the Persecuted One chose to speak sweetly to him. His voice, sounding grieved and perturbed, said to him: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” 21
Acts 22:3. Acts 22:5. 21 Acts 9:4; 22:7. 19 20
21 135
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145
150
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܡܕ ܰܪܫ ܰܘ ܺ ܡܗܝܪ ܺܘܐܝܬ ܶܒܗ ܳ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܰ ܛܢܢܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܫܟܚ ܢܶ ܽ ܘܡ ܰ ܶ ܥܩܘܪ ܳܗܝ ܛ ܽ ܥܝܘܬܐ ܕ� ܬ ܽܐܚܘܕ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܘܠܝܩ ܰܘ ܺ ܽܛ ܺ ܣܦܝܪ ܰܘ ܳ ܒܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܰܢ ܺܗܝܪ܆ ܳ ܽ ܘܟܠܡܐ ܳܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܶܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܰܕ ܺܢܩܝܡ ܰܕܝ ܽܕܘܥܬ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܶ ܡܕ ܰܪܫ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܽ ܠܓܒܪܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܩܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܒܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܕ ܽ�ܘܬܐ܆ ܘܣܓܝ ܰ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܶܣܦܪܐ ܰ ܡܢ ܰܦܩ ܰܒ ̈ܫ ܳܟ ܳܚܬܐ܀ ܫܓܝܪ ܰܒ ܳ ܺ ܛܢܢܐ ܘ� ܳܓܫܦܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܳܓ ܽ�ܘܬܐ܆ ܚܠܦ ܳܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܰܨ ܶ ܕܥܪ�ܐ ܳ ܐܢܗܘ ܳ ܶܘ ܽ ܘܪܗ ܳ� ܶܗܒ܀ ܫܚܝܩ ܶܠܗ ܽ ܘ� ܺܠܝܦ ܐ̱ ܳ� ܶܙ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܒܡ ܶ ܺ ܘܫܐ ܰ ܢܒ ܽܝܘܬܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܬܠ ܺܐܝܕܐ ܰ �ܕ ܳܓ ܽ�ܘܬܐ܀ ܘ� ܡܬܪܦܐ ܕܢ ܳ ܰ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܐ ܶܙܠ ܕܢܶ ܽܪܕܘܦ ܳܗܢܐ ܳܒܬܪ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܆ ܕܫ ܺܪܝܪ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܽ ܳܕܝ ܰܕܥ ܽܟ ܳ �ܢܫ ܰ ܘܩܘܫܬܐ ܳܪ ܶܚܡ܀ ܰ ܚܫ ݂ ݀ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܥܶ ܰܠ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܠ ܰ ܬ ܶܒ ܰ ܡܫ ܳܒ ܽܚܘ܆ ܝܗܘܢ � ܰܢ ܽ ܕܡ ܶ ܒܓܘ ܶܐ ̈ܕ ܰܢ ܽ ܣ� ܳ ܕܡܐ ܰ ܟܪܙ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ ܘܢ ̇ܗ܀ ܶ ܢܦܩ ܗܘܐ ܽܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܰܟܕ ܐ ܳ ܰ ܓ�ܬܐ ܺ ܛܥܝܢ ܰܕ ܳ ܓܙܡܐ܆ ̱ ܳܘܢ ܶܫܡ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܰܕܢ ܶ ܘܠܕ ܰܡܘܬܐ ܰܥܠ ܺ�ܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܀ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳܺ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܰܥ ܺܠܝܠ ܶܒܗ ܺܚܐܦܐ ܘܪ ܕܦ ܩܠܝ�ܝܬ܆ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܒܣܝܡܐܝܬ܀ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܰܕܨܒܐ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳܽ ܳ ܺ ܘܡܐܝܬ ܰܟܕ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ܆ ܐܟܪܝ ܩܠܗ ܪܥ ܳ ܳܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܡܛܠ ܡܢܐ ܪ ܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܠܝ܀
B 724
22 155
160
165
170
HOMILIES ON PAUL
THE LIGHT THAT SHONE UPON PAUL
The voice was disturbed, subdued, full of pain, but it made Saul listen as though he were the persecuted one before his Persecutor. As if weary from this weight of persecution, He was asking him why are you persecuting Me? He spoke to him with wondrous humility to humble the (huge) pride that was within. Not with power, not with might, but with great love, He asked him to clarify his reasons for persecuting Him. Saul, who had been riding on high, was now left crawling in the dust for having been persecuted, he confessed and showed forth his humility. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? How far and for how long will you (continue) and to what extent will you go? Give it up! You know how hard it is to kick against the goad. 22 No more persecution! Abandon this course, it cannot succeed. If you kick in this crazy way you are bound to take a fall. Come on! Take on the yoke of Crucifixion and be humble. It is very hard for you to kick against the goad of my Cross. You will only hurt yourself. Thorns are tough and you are feeble.” He spoke to him with humility and respect and these won over to wisdom the son of the Hebrews.
22
Acts 9:4; 26:14; 22:7.
23 155
160
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܶ ܡܫ ܰܗܝܬܐ ܰ ܘܡ ܰ ܶܡܠܬܐ �ܺܝܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܝܬ ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ܆ ܰܡ ܰ ܫܡܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܘܬ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺܪܕ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܰ ܕܡܠܝܐ ܽ�ܘܩܪܐ܆ ܐܝܟ ܕܡܢ � ܰܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܕܡܛܠ ܳܡܢܐ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܀ ܡܫܐܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܶ ܒܡ ܺܟ ܽ ܝܟܘܬܐ ܰ ܰ ܕܡܠܝܐ ܬܗܪܐ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܰ�ܥ ܶܡܗ܆ ܰܕ ܰܢܫ ܶܦܠ ܗܘܐ ܳ ܳ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܗܝ ܪ ܽܡܘܬܐ ܶ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱ ܽ ̱ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ � ܒܫܘܠܛܢܐ ܐܦ� ܒܚܝ� ܐ � ܒܚܘܒܐ܆ ܶ ܡܫܐܶܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰ ܰ �ܡܢ ܳܪ ܕܦ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܶ ܺܪܟܝܒ ܰܥܠ ܰ� ܶ ܘܡܐ ܳ ܘܫܐܘܠ ܳܫܐܦ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܺܚܝܚܐ܆ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܝܟܘܬܗ܀ ܰܘܕ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܘܕܝ ܕܢܘܕܥ ܡܟ ܰ ܽ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܶܡܛܠ ܳܡܢܐ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܆ ܰ ܥܕܡܐ ܰ�ܝܟܐ ܶܘ� ܰܡܬܝ ܰܡ ܺܛ ݁ ܰ ܝܬ ܰܘܐܝܟܐ ܬ ܶܕܪܟ܀ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܘܩ ܶܣܐ ܐܗܡܐ܆ ܡܒ ܳܥܛܘ �ܥ ܩܫܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܠ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܕܪܟ ܐܢܬ ܰܫ� ܶܪܗܛܟ܀ � ܬܘܒ ܬ ܽܪܕܘܦ � ܡ ܶ ܳ ܳܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܥܪ ܳܝܪ ܐܝܬ܆ ܪ ܓܠܟ ܛܪܝܬ ܐܢ ܒܥܛ ܐܢܬ ܒ ܝܪ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܽܥܘܠ ܰܣܒ ܺܢ ܳ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܗܘܝ ܰܡ ܺܟܝܟ܀ �ܥ ̈ ܡܒ ܳܥ ܽܛܘ ܽ ܩܫܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ ܰܠ ܰ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܶ ܘܩ ܶܣܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩܝܦ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܩܫܝܢ ܽܥ ̈ ܦܫܟ ܳܢ ܶܟ ݁ ܝܬ ܰܕ ܶ ܰܢ ܳ ܘܩ ܶܣܐ ܰܘܐܢܬ ܚܠܫ ܐܢܬ܀ ܕܚ ܽ ܒܡ ܺܟ ܽ ܰ ܝܟܘܬܐ ܰ ܘܒ ܺ ܝ�ܘܬܐ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܰ�ܥ ܶܡܗ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܟܡ ܗܘܐ ܰܒܪ ܶܥ ܳ �ܬ ܶ ܝܗܝܢ ܢܶ ܰ ܒ��ܶܐ܀ ܕܒܬ ̱
B 725
24 175
180
185
190
HOMILIES ON PAUL
Humbly He was asking, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Again He advised him, “You should not kick against the goad.” Light poured down upon him and he succumbed to its rays 23 and by the glory of that light his fire was quenched. The Word when spoken seeks something other, so that a door will be opened before it and it will be heard. The key to the door is love—give up all prejudice! If you accept the key, it will open to you the meaning of everything. Routine damages the Word and makes it grow cold, so that if you listen to it by habit it becomes commonplace. But love awakens you to listen with fervour; if your ear is attuned to the commonplace, it will give you no advantage. Incline not your ear, but open your heart to this teaching. It will make you shine more radiantly than the sun.
LIGHT OF GOSPEL
The Gospel is a light, a light that quenches all others. When it shone upon Paul it enlightened him. At midday, revelation came to the apostle. 24 Give ear, O prudent one, and lucidly focus your mind. What kind of light burst forth at midday to outshine the sun so many times over?
23 24
Acts 22:11; 9:4–5. Acts 22:6; 26:13.
25 175
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܰ ܡܫܐܶܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܰܐ ܶܡܟ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܰܘ ܰ �ܡܢ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ܆ ܗܦܟ ܰܣ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܽ�ܥ ̈ ܕܪܗ ܕ� ܰܠܡ ܬܶ ܽ ܒܥܘܛ ܽܠ ܰ ܘܩ ܶܣܐ܀ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܶܐ̱ ܰܫܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܗܝ ܰܘܐܛܝܦ ܶܗ ܰ ܶܡܢ ܰܙ�ܝ̈ ܰܩ ̱ ܥ� ̱ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܘܚܬܗ ܽܕܢܘܗܪܐ ܽܢ ܶ ܘܗܪܗ ܐܬܛ ܰܠܩ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܒܬܫܒ ܶ ܰ ܐ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܚܪܢܐ ܡ ܶܕܡ ܒܥܝܐ ܡܠܬܐ ܡܐ ܕܡܬܐܡܪܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̇ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܕܢܗܘܐ ܦܬܚ ܬܪܥܐ ܩܕܡܝܗ ܘܟܢ ܡܫܬܡܥܐ܀ ܰ ܺ ܕܥܠ ܽ� ܳ ܒܛ ܽ ܺ ܝ�ܘܬܐ ܰ ܩܠܝܕܐ ܽ ܘܠܦܢܐ܆ ܕܚܘܒܐ ܘ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܐܢ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ ܐܢܬ ܽܗܘ ܳܦܬܚ ܳܠܟ ܽܟܠ ܽܣ ̈ܘ ܳܟ ܺܠܝܢ܀ ܥܝܕܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܳ ܣܪܚ ܳܣ ܰܪܚ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܫ ܶܗܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܰ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܫܚܝܡܐ ܶܐܢ ܰܒ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܺ ܥܝܕܐ ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܐܢܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܰ ܰ ܶܐ � ܺ ܡܥܝܪ ܳܠܟ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܫܡܥ ܰܟܕ ܳܪܬܚ ܐܢܬ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܥܝܕܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ � ܰܡܗܢܶܐ ܳܠܟ ܐܢ ܳ� ܐܬ ܐܢܬ܀ ܨܠܝ ܰܠܘ ܶܐ ܳܕܢܟ ܶܐ � ܰܗ ܳܘܢܟ ܶܨܝܕ ܽ� ܳ ܺ ܘܠܦܢܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܺܘܐܝܬ ܳܠܟ ܬ ܰܢܗܪ ܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܶܫܡܫܐ ܦܐܐ ܰܙ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܶܩܐ܀ ܕܥ ܶܠܒ ܽܢ ܳ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ̱ܗܝ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܪ ̇ܗ ܽܟܠ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܺܝ�ܝܢ܆ ܰ ܶ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܰܥܠ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܟܕ ܶܕ ܰܢܚ ݂ ݀ ܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܺܗܝ ܐ ܰܢܗ ݂ܪܬܗ܀ ܶ ܥ�ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܺ ܠܓܗ ܰܕ�ܘܡܐ ܗܘܐ ܶܓ ܳ ܒܦ ܶ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ �ܝܢܐ ܺ ܰ ̱ ܽܨܘܬ ܳܦ ܽܪܘܫܐ ܰܘ ܶܐܩܬ ܰܗ ܳܘܢܟ ܰܢ ܺܗܝ ܳܪ ܐܝܬ܀ ܰܐܝܢܐ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܶ ܠܓܗ ܰܕ�ܘܡܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܒܦ ܶ ܬܚ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܫܡܫܐ � ܳܥ ܶܠܒ ܗܘܐ ܶܪ ܽܒܘ ܳܥ ܺ̈ ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܶ ܐܦܝܢ܀ ̱
B 726
26 195
200
205
210
HOMILIES ON PAUL
In the darkness of night a lamp sheds its ray but the sun by daytime suppresses all other light. The Light of the Son shone on Saul at noonday. It eclipsed the sun with a far greater glory. When the sun arose to the highest rung of heaven, it blazed from the top of the firmament’s arch. When it had trodden beneath it all the depths of the earth and stood aloft on the highest peak, all over the world it shed from there its mighty rays to seize the earth. While it was aflame with the intensity of its great ascent, an even greater light suddenly rose up and overshadowed it. Had that light not greatly outshone the sun, it would not have shone forth in the middle of the day nor have been seen by anyone. It shone in the day, and because of its rays, day became like unto night; this was to show that in comparison, our sun is no more than a shadow. In the sea of its brightness, the persecutor’s eye was flooded and drowned; he no longer saw any visible things. His capacity to see retreated into his mind; his vision turned inside out to reveal hidden beauties within. Light entered his inner eyes until it extinguished the light in his outer eyes.
27 195
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܶܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܫܪܓܐ ܐܝܬ ܰܙ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܶܩܐ܆ ܒܠܝܐ ܕܚܫܘܟ ܐܦ ܠ ܡܚ ܶܦܐ ܽ ܺܒ ܳ ܐܝܡܡܐ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܫܡܫܐ ܰ �ܟܠ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܺܝ�ܝܢ܀ ܽܢ ܶ ܘܗܪܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܶ ܒܦ ܶ ܠܓܗ ܰܕ�ܘܡܐ ܰܕܢܚ ܰܥܠ ܳܫܐܘܠ܆ ܰ ܶ ܒܬ ܽ ܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܰܚܦܝܶܗ ܶ �ܫܡܫܐ ܰܕܪܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ܀ ܘ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰܟܕ ܩܡ ܶܫܡܫܐ �ܥܠ ܡܢ ܰܕܪ ܓܐ ܗܘ ܥܠܝܐ܆ ܰܘ ܺ ܬܢ ܰ ܒܪܫ ܰܟܦܬܐ ܳܗܝ ܰܕ ܺܪܩܝܥܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܒܪܫ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܒܫܗ ܗܘܐ ܽ �ܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܥܘܡܩܐ ܳ ܰܟܕ ܰܟ ܶ ܘܩܡ ܰܥܠ ܰܪܘܡܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܰܘܠܟܐ ܰܘܠܟܐ ܰ ܐܚܘܕ ܐܪܥܐ܀ ܘܗܝ ܢ ܦܫܛ ܰܙ�ܝ̈ ܰܩ ̱ ܰ ܒ� ܺܙ ܽܝܙܘܬܐ ܶܕܕ ܶ ܢܚܗ ܰܪܒܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܓ ܰܘܙܠ܆ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܡܢ ܶܫܠܝܐ ܽܢ ܰ ܘܗܪܐܪܒܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܬܚ ܺܦܝ ܶܒܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܡܝܬܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܶܫܡܫܐ܆ ܐ ܽܠܘ� ܓܝܪ ܕ ܶ ܠܓܗ ܰܕ�ܘܡܐ � ܳܕ ܰܢܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܒܦ ܶ ܘܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ܀ ܐܝܡܡܐ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܺܠܝܐ ܗܘܐ ܽ ܺ ܰܕܢܚ ܺܒ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ ܠܦ ܘܬ ܰܙ�ܝ̈ ܰܩ ̱ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܶܫܡܫܐ ܶܠܗ ܛ ܳ�� ̱ܗܘ܀ ܒܝܡܐ ܺܕܙ ܶܝܘܗ ܳܛܦ ܗܘܐ ܽܢ ܶ ܰ ܘܗܪܗ ܰܕܗܘ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ܆ ̱ ܘ� ܶܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܶܡܢ ܶܓ ̈� ܳ�ܢܶܐ܀ ܥܶ ܰ ܪܩ ݂ ݀ ܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܳ ܠܓܘ ܶܪ ܳ ܚܙܬܶܗ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ ܥ�ܢܶܗ܆ ܶ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܽܫ ܶ ܠܓܘ ܐ ܰ ܬܬ ܶ ܬܦ ܰܢܝ ݂ ݀ ܘܦ� ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰ ܦܓܥܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܓ ܳܘ ܳ�̈ܬܐ ܰܥܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ܆ �ܗܠܝܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܥܕܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܰ ܐܘܦܝ ܳܗܢܐ ܳܕܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܒ ܳ� ܳ�ܬܐ܀
B 727
28 215
220
225
230
HOMILIES ON PAUL
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”— He asked him in a powerful but humble voice. He was lying face downwards, the Light beating on his neck. That same Light now shining in his inner eye was asking, “Why are you persecuting Me?” His anger on fire to kill was quenched; his threat focused on the disciples was extinguished. His letters miscarried and their senders became a reproach; he annulled the letters and no longer wanted to be called persecutor. His appearance was that of one persecuted and far from honour, crestfallen and humiliated because he was asked, “Why do you persecute Me?”
PAUL SPEAKS TO JESUS
Then Saul answered Him, “Lord, who are You?” Once He had entrapped him, he (Saul) became His servant. “Who are You, Lord?”25 Saul asked in order to learn more; and our Lord answered him, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you persecute.” 26 The very Name that Saul threatened to eradicate was shown him to be ruler of heaven and all countries (of the earth). The persecutor had raged against these names: Neither Jesus nor Nazareth should ever be spoken. The Son of God vindicated to His persecutor His (apparent) disgrace, to show him that he would be glorified by that through which salvation comes.
25 26
Acts 9:5a. Acts 9:5b.
29 215
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܰ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܰ�ܥܠ ܳܡܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܆ ܰܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰܶ ܡܫܐܠ ܶ�ܠܗ܀ �ܙܝܙ ܢܘܗܪܗ ܘܡܟܝܟ ܩܠܗ ܘ ܰܰ ܶ ܶ ܟܦܐ ܰܥܠ ܐ ̈ܦܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܺܕܪܝܟ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ �ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܰܨܘܪܗ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܦܟܝܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܫܬ ܰܐܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ �ܡܘܢ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ܀ ܘܗܝ ܘܡ ܒ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܶ ܶ ܫܓܝܪܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ ܡܬܗ ܰܕ ܺ �ܩܛ�܆ ܕܥܟ ݂ܬ ܚ ܰ ܰܐ ܺ ܕܡ ܰ ܬ� ܰܚܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܥܠ�ܬ ܺ ܓܙ ܶܡܗ ܶ ܘܦܝ ܳ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܀ ܰܦܕ ܶܐ ܳ ܡܫ ܳܕ� ܰܢ ܶ ܓ�ܬܶܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܗܘܘ ܶܒܙܚܐ ܰ ܝܗܝܢ܆ ܶ ܰ ܒܛܠ ܶܡܢ ܽܟ ܶ �ܗܝܢ ܰܘ ܳܕܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܶܡܫܬ ܰܡܗ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘ� ܺܪܝܩ ܽܢ ܶ ܚܙܬܶܗ ܰ ܘܗܪܗ ܶܡܢ ܬܶ ܽ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܳ ܫܒܘܚܬܐ܆ ܰ ܡܫ ܰܦܠ ܰܘ ܳ ܫܕ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܶ �ܡܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܀ ܰ ܳܗ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܐܢܬ ܳܡܪܝ܆ ܝܕܝܢ ܰܦ ܺܢܝ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ ܶܡܚܕܐ ܕܦܟܪܗ ܐܟܬܒ ܢܦܫܗ ܕܥ ܒܕܗ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܰܡܢ ܰܐܢܬ ܰܠܡ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܫܐܶܠ ܺܢ ܰ ܐܠܦ ܰܘ ܳ ܥܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ܆ ܰ ܶܕ ܰܐܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܗܘ ܳܢ ܳ�ܪܝܐ ܰܕ ܐܢܬ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ܀ ܰ ܰ ܳ �ܩ ܶ ܫܡܐ ܰܕ ܽ ܘܒܠܗ ܺ ܡܒܛ ܽ�ܘ܆ �ܚܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܫܐܘܠ�ܠ ܗܐ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܺܐܚܝܕ ܰܪܘܡܐ ܰܘܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܀ ܶ ܽܠ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܡ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܗܘ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ܆ ܰܕ ܶ ܫܡܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܘ ܳ ܫܡ ̇ܗ ܳܕܢ ܰ�ܪܬ � ܢܶ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ܀ ܩܕܡ ܳܪ ܽܕ ܶ ܒܨ ܶ ܰ ܥܪܗ ܰܐ ܺܘܕܝ ܰܒܪ ܰܐ ܳܠܗܐ ܳ ܘܦܗ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܒܗܪ ܰܕ ܽ ܕܦ ܳ ܫܬ ܰ ܘܪܩ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܕܒܗ ܡ
B 728
30 235
240
245
250
HOMILIES ON PAUL
While He was in heaven Nazareth knew no shame; it was there that the cherished offshoot of his corporeality grew up. When He desired to come, it was to Nazareth He came and that is why, while in heaven, He acknowledged her (Nazareth). I am Jesus, the Nazarene whom you persecute; see if you can dissolve my power as you threaten! Saul said, “I did not know who You were, O Lord, 27 but now that I have learnt, I will be as a persecuted one for You. While I was going astray, I went to persecute the son of Joseph, 28 not knowing that You are truly the Son of God. I fought against the dead man, who led the Nation astray, not knowing that You are the Living One who resurrects all. I looked for You as one that was buried beneath the earth; 29 I did not reckon that You are exalted above the heights. I thought You lay powerless in the depths of Sheol; I did not understand that a great Light surrounds You. I looked for You below (expecting) to see You there in the place of the dead; no one told me You are fortified with power from the Most High. I thought You were hidden in (the place of) decay; I never expected You to address me from on high.
Acts 26:15. Lk. 4:22. 29 Jn. 19:42; Mt. 27:60; Mk. 15:46. 27 28
31 235
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܫܡ ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܒ ܳ ܰܟܕ ܰܒ ܰ ܫܡ ̇ܗ ܳܕܢ ܰ�ܪܬ � ܳܢ ܶܟܦ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܕܒ ̇ܗ ܶܐ ܰ ܳ ܬܪ ܺܒܝ ܽܢܘܪܒܐ ܺ ܓܪ ܽܢܘܬܗ܀ ܪܚܝܡܐ ܕܦ ܶ ܒ�ܢܶܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܺܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܳ ܳܕܨ ܳ �ܢ ܰ�ܪܬ ܰܟܕ ܐܬܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳ ܫܡ ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܡ ܶ �ܗܢܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܒ ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܶ ܰ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܗܘ ܳܢ ܳ�ܪܝܐ ܳܕܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܆ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܘܠܛܢܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺ �ܚܝܡ ܐܢܬ܀ ܚܙܝ ܐܢ ܡܛܝܬ ܬܫܪ ܐ ܫ ܳ ܰ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܫܐܘܠ � ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘܝܬ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܐܢܬ ܳܡܪܝ܆ ܽ ܳ ܘܗܫܐ ܶܕ� ܶ �ܦ ݂ܬ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܶܐ ܶ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܟ܀ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܝܬ܆ ܠܒܪܗ ܕ�ܘܣܦ ܢ ܦܩ ݂ܬ ܐ ܽܪܕܘܦ ܰܟܕ ܛܥܶܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܝܬ ܕܒܪ ܐ�ܗܐ ܐܢܬ ܫܪܝܪ ܐܝܬ܀ ܘ� ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܺܡܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܐܛܥܝ ܰ ܽܠ ܰ ܬܟܬܫ ̱ܗ ܺܘܝܬ܆ �ܥܡܐ ܡ ܕܚܝܐ ܰܐܢܬ ܰܘ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬ܀ ܡܢ ܶܚܡ ܽܟܠ � ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܝܬ ܳܠܟ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܠ ܺ ܩܒܝܪܐ܆ ܠܬܚܬ ܶܡܢ ܐܪܥܐ ܳܚܐܪ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܰܘܕ ܰ ܡܪ ܰ�ܡ ܰܐܢܬ ܳܐܦ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ܶ ܝܬ܀ ܘܡܐ � ܳܣ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܐܫܬ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܽ ܥܓܝܢ ܐܢܬ ܐܝܟ ܰܚ ܳܠܫܐ܆ ܝܬ ܕ ܒ ܫܝܘܠ ܪܢ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰܠܘ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܬ܀ ܟܪܝܟ ܳܠܟ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܪܒܐ ܶܡܣܬ ܰܟܠ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܳܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܕܡܝ̈ܬܐ܆ ܚܙܝܟ ܬ ܳܡܢ ܰܒܐܬܪܐ ܝܬ ܐ ܠܬܚܬ ܚܐܪ ̱ܗܘ ݂ ܰ ܰܠܘ ܰܕ ܺܪܟܝܒ ܐܢܬ ܽܥܘܫܢܐ ܰܕܪܘܡܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܰܒ ܶܕܩ ܺܠܝ܀ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܡܚ ܰܦܝ ܐܢܬ܆ ܒܓܘ ܐܒܕܢܐ ܣܒܪ ݂ܬ ܥܠܝܟ ܕ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܝܬ ܳܠܟ ܕܡܡܠܠ ܐܢܬ܀ ܰܠܘ ܶܡܢ ܪܘܡܐ ܳܚܐܪ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂
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I assumed You were cloaked with a mass of worms; I did not know that the host of angels praises You. I thought You were inside the great whirlpool of the dead. See! Heaven is filled with You but hidden from me. I thought when I was persecuting, You were sealed within the tomb. I did not know that You are seated at the Father’s right hand. In my mind I assigned You a place beneath the earth; being blind I did not see that You had descended and (then) ascended. I was persecuting You because I was obsessed by You. I expected You to come (to me) but when You did, I did not recognise You. I strove to ensure that no other would come in Your Name, I attacked and uprooted You so as to disgrace You. The priests of the Nation misled me and set my face against You, lest I look at You, see You as You are, and become Yours. In the Synagogues they showed me that You had broken the Sabbath; they did not tell me that You had fulfilled the whole Law. I learnt from many that they had hung You on Golgotha; they did not tell me that Your voice rent the rocks asunder. One half of Your story they withheld lest I become aware of it; the other half they embellished to train me as Your oppressor.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰܕ ܺ ܟܪ ܺ ܚܫܒܬܟ܆ ܝܬ ܘ ܝܟܝܢ ܳܠܟ ܶܣܕ� ܐ ܕܪܡܬܐ ܛܥ ݂ ܒܚܝܢ ܶܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܺ ܶ ܡܫ ܺ ܰܠܘ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܬ܀ ܕܥܝ� ܐ ܳܠܟ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܬܐ ܶܣ ܶ ܰ ܒܪ ݂ܬ ܺܕ ܐܝܬܝܟ܆ ܒܓܘ ܳܨ ܰܡܪܬܐ ܰܪܒܬܐ ܕܡܝ ܰܘܕܗܐ ܰ ܫܡܝܐ ܰܡܠܝܐ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܰܟܣܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܶܡܢܝ܀ ܰ ܝܬ ܰܕ ܺ ܰ ܚܒܝܫ ܐܢܬ ܰܟܕ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܒܓ ܶܘܗ ܰܕܩܒܪܐ ܺܪܢ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܝܬ܀ ܰܘ ܰܕ� ܺܡܝܢܶܗ ܰܕ ܐܒܐ �ܒܝܟ ܐܢܬ � ܳܚ ܶܟܡ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܣܥܘܪ ܐܪܥܐ܆ ܝܬ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ܕܬ ܽܚܘܬ ܬ ܳܠܟ ܳܢܛܪ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܢܚܬܬ ܰܘ ܶ ܬܒܝܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܕ ܺ ܣ�ܩܬ � ܶܐ ܰ ܰܘܕ ܶ ܝܬ܀ ܥܘܝܪܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܪܚܡܬܟ܆ ܝܬ ܠܟ ܥܠ ܕ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܟ ܪ ܶܕܦ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܺ ܶ ܝܬ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܳܛܒ ܶܐ ܰܬܝܬ � ܶܪ ܶ ܓܫܬ ܳܒܟ܀ ܕܬ ܐܬ ܐ ܰܣ ܺܟ ݂ ܕ� ܺܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܗܘܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܪܢܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܫܡܟ ܶܡ ܰ ܝܬ܆ ܬܚ ܰܦܛ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܓܢܝܬ ݂ܟ ܣܒܟ ݂ܬ ܥܠܝܟ ܠܡܨ�ܪܘ܀ ܘܕܫ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ܰ ܕܥܡܐ ܰܕ ܶܓ�ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ ܒܝ ܘܐܚܕܘ ܒܐܦܝ܆ ܐܗܘܐ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܚܙ ܐ ܰܕ ܐܢܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶܘ ܶ ܕ� ܶܐ ܽܚܘܪ ܳܒܟ ܶܘ ܶ ܝܠܟ܀ ܰܕ ܰ �ܚܘܕ ܰܒ ܽ ܘ�ܘܢܝ ܰܒ ܽ ܫܪܝܬ ܰܫܒܬܐ ܰܚ ܽ ܟ� ̈ܘ ܳܫܬܐ܆ ܰܘ ܳܕܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܰ �ܝܬ � ܰܒ ܶܕܩܘ ܺܠܝ܀ ܶ ܰܕܙ ܽ ܩܦܘܟ �ܶ ܶ �ܦܬ ܰܥܠ ܳ�ܓ ܽܓܘܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܐ܆ ܶ ܰܘ ܰܕ� ܺܪܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ �ܫ ̈ܘܥܶܐ ܳܩ ܳܠܟ � ܐ ܰܡܪܘ ܺܠܝ܀ ܶ ܪܒܟ ܰܓ ܽ ܕܫ ܳ ܠܓܗ ܰ ܠܦ ܶ ܢܒܘܗܝ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢܝ ܕ� ܶܐ ܰ ܪܓܫ ܶܒܗ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܣܓܝܘ ܰܕ ܽ ܠܓܗ ܰܐ ܺ ܒܗܘ ܶܦ ܶ ܪܫܘܢܝ ܐܝܟ ܛ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ܀
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I learnt only of the nails they drove into Your hands; it was hidden from me that You broke the bars of Sheol. I heard much from them of Joseph’s embalming of You; they did not tell me that at Your resurrection thousands of angels acclaimed (You). They kept repeating to me that Your descent to Sheol had shut the door in Your face, I never knew that You were exalted above the heights. I heard from the Jews that the disciples stole You away; Lord, I did not understand that angels were solicitous over You. While I was persecuting, I learnt from them that You were the son of a carpenter; I did not know that You restore all of creation. I thought that You were dead and in the depths of the abyss, until I saw You on the heights presiding as a judge. Lo! I regarded you as though a dead one in the abyss of the earth, I did not know that all of the heights glorify You.” The revelation that Saul received while he was persecuting, was the news that he himself was to be persecuted for Jesus. Zeal for the house of Adonai went before him with murder and fury. Light and sound ambushed him on the way that he might never persecute again. Truly he saw with his eyes and heard with his ears and then he journeyed onward to preach about the kingdom.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܐܝ ܰܕܝܟ �ܶ ܶ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܩ ܰܒܥ ̱ܗ ܰ ̈ܘܝ ܶܣ ̈ܶܟܐ ܺܒ ̈ �ܦܬ ܰܒ ܽ �ܚܘܕ܆ ܶ ܰ ܬ ܶܡܢܝ ܕܬ ܰܒܪܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܽܡ ̈ܘ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܗ ܰܕ ܽ ܣܝ ݂ ݀ ܐܬܟ ܰ ܟܠ ̇ ܫܝܘܠ܀ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܘܣܦ ܶܫܡܥܶ ݂ܬ ܶܡ ܽ ܢܛܟ ܰ� ܶ ܢܗܘܢ ܰܣ ܺܓ ܳܝܐܝܬ܆ ܕܚ ܰܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܺ ܘܕܒܢܘܚܡܟ ܪܒܘ ܡ�ܟܐ � ܐܡܪܘ ܠܝ܀ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܢܚܬܬ ܰܠ ܽ ܰܕ ܶ ܫܝܘܠ ܘܐܚܕܘ ܒ ܐܦܝܟ ܬ ܶ�ܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܠܝ܆ ܶ ܝܬ ܳܐܦ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ܶ ܘܗܝ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܥ ܺܠ ݁ ܳ ܝܬ܀ ܘܡܐ � �ܶ�ܦ ݂ܬ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܰ ܰܥܠ�ܬ ܺ ܕܓ ܽ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ܢܒܘܟ ܶܫܡܥܶ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢ ܽ� ̱ܗ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ �ܟܐ ܺ ܪܗ ܺ ܝܒܝܢ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܳܡܪܝ � �ܶܕܥܶ ݂ܬ܀ ܘܕܡ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܝܬ܆ ܕܒܪ ܢ ܳܓܪܐ ܐܢܬ ��ܦ ݂ܬ ܡܢܗܘܢ ܟܕ ܪ ܕܦ ̱ܗܘ ݂ ܡܫ ܶ ܰܘܕ ܐܢܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰ ܟܠܠ ܽܟܠ ܶܒ ܳ ܝܬ܀ ��ܬܐ � ܳܚ ܶܟܡ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶܒܐܫܬܐ ܽ ܡܩܐ ܶܣ ܶ ܕ� ̈ܘ ܶ ܒܪ ݂ܬ ܺܕ ܐܝܬܝܟ ܐܝܟ ܰ� ܺܢܝܕܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܚܙܝܬܟ ܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢܐ܀ ܘܥܠ ܺܪ ܺܫܝܬܐ ܕ�ܘܡܐ ܳ ܳ ܪܬܟ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺ ܗܐ ܰܒ ܽ �ܡܝܬܐ܆ ܬܗ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܐܪܥܐ ܚ ܘܡܐ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܚܝܢ ܳܠܟ ܰ� ܶ ܰܘܕ ܰ ܡܙ ܺ ܝܬ܀ �ܗܘܢ � ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܰ ܒܗܘ ܶܓ ܳ �ܝܢܐ ܰܕܩ ܶܒܠ ܰܫܐܘܠ ܰܟܕ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܽ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܺ� ܶܠܦ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܶܡܛܠ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܀ ܰ ܰܳ ܶ ܰ ܒܚܡܬܐ ܶ ܶ ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܕ ܰܘܢܝ܆ ܕܩܛ� ܢܦܩ ܛܢܢܐ ܽ ܘܩ� ܰܦ ܽ ܽܘܢܘܗܪܐ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܽܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܬܘܒ � ܢܶ ܽܪܕܘܦ܀ ܟܪ ̱ ܺ ܫܡܥ ܶܒ ̈ ܚܙܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐܝܬ܆ ܐܕ ܰܢ ̱ ܒ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܰ ܰ̈ ܡܣ ܳܒ ܽܪܘ ܰܥܠ ܰܡ ܽ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܠ ܰ �ܟܘܬܐ܀ ܘܟܢ ܳܣܡ ܐܦ ̱
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Righteousness saw how fervent was the zeal of that man; since he was not rejected, he became worthy of a revelation of the truth. The type of man he was, made him fit to be an apostle, because he was excellent in things both old and new. Being courageous he stood up for the Law to the best of his ability; when revelation called him to the gospel he shone among the apostles. While (earthly) time was in shadows, he was a passenger within; once the light of Jesus shone through, he was set aflame. The Law does not accuse him of any shortcoming. The Gospel has no other person comparable to him. He was deeply versed in the mysteries of Moses and perceived the beauties of the Crucifixion in everything he saw. It was fitting for him to be apostle to the Son; because he arranged all those beauties in himself as his own limbs. Fasting, vigils and endless toil, as he himself said, was suffering, torment and every kind of distress, for Jesus. Every day his endurance in suffering persecution, hunger, thirst and poverty, bears witness to me. This is the scribe who was converted to the kingdom of Heaven because he was conversant with both the old and the new.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܳ ܛ�ܢܶܗ ܕ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܳ ܚܙ ݂ܬ ݀ ܺܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܐ ܰܕܟܡܐ ܰ� ܺܙܝܙ܆ ܰܘܕ� ܺ ܠܓ ܳ �ܝܢܐ ܰ ܒܣܝܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܫܘܐ ܶ ܕܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܬܐ܀ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܺ �ܗܢܐ ܦܐܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܳ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܐܟܡܐ ܰܕܗܘܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܚܕܬܐ ܐ ܰ ܬܝܩܬܐ ܳܐܦ ܰܒ ܰ ܬܟ ܰܫܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܕܒܥ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܚܠܦ ܢܡܘܣܐ ܩܡ ܐܝܟ ܛܪܩܐ ܟܡܐ ܰܕܡ� ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܝܢܐ ܰܢܨܚ ܰܒ ܺ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܳ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܰܠ ܰ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܓ ܳ ܫ� ̈ܝ ܶܚܐ܀ ܶ ܰܟܕ ܰܙܒܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܛ ܳ� ̈� ܳܝܬܐ ܶ ܒܗܝܢ ܳܪ ܶܕܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܘܡܢ ܰܕ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܠܗ ܽܢ ܶ ܶ ܘܗܪܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܶܒܗ ܶܐ ܰ ܬܓ ܰܘܙܠ܀ � ܽܐ ܳܘܪܝܬܐ ܳܩܒ� ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬܪ ܺܦܝ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܆ ܚܪܢܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܺܐܝܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܐ ܺ ܘ� ܰܠ ܰ ܬܦ ܰܚܡ ܶܒܗ܀ ̱ ܰ ܒ ̱ܐ ܳ� ܶܙ ܐ ܽ ܕܡ ܶ ܘܫܐ ܶܐ ܰ ܬܓ ܺܘܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܟܡܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܐܬܪܐ܆ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܝܠܦ ܽܫ ܶ ܘܦ� ܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܺܘ ܶ �ܗܘܢ ܐ ܶ�ܕ܀ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܒܟ ܗܘܐ ܺ �ܗܢܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܳ�ܐܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܰܠܒܪܐ܆ ܽ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܘܡܗ ܐܝܟ ܰܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡܐ܀ ܕܟ�ܗܘܢ ܫܘܦ� ܐ ܣܕܪ ܒܩܢ ܶ ܽ ܰܶ ܳ ܰ ܰܨܘܡܐ ܰ ܘܫܗܪܐ ܘ�ܘܬܐ ܕ� ܣܟ ܐܝܟ ܕܗܘ ܐܡܪ܆ ܘܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܽܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ �ܨ ܶܢܐ ܘܢܶ ̈ܓ ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ܚܠܦ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܀ ܝܒܪ ܽܢܘܬܐ ܰܘ ܺܪܕ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܽ ܡܣ ܳ ܒܟ ܽ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ܆ ܣܢ ܽ ܘܨܗܝܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܰܟܦܢܐ ܶ ܝܩܘܬܐ ܽܕܗܘ ܳܣ ܶܗܕ ܺܠܝ܀ ܶ ܰ �ܡ ܽ �ܡܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܐܬܬ ܰ �ܟܘܬ ܰܪܘܡܐ܆ ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܳܣܦܪܐ ܕ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܬ ̈� ܳܩܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܦ ܰܪܢܣ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܒܚ ̈ܕܬܬܐ ܘܥ ܕ
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The Gospel enticed him to become its preacher; unexpectedly it fell upon him, enlightening him to behold its beauty. It saw him—the eloquent, vigilant, zealous, knowledgeable and learned one, and seized him to become its advocate among the innocent. It shone upon him and, struck by its glory, he fell to the ground; it disclosed to him that it would show all its beauty to him. Revelation took him as captive to the third heaven, 30 that he might ascend to see the glory of the Son in His high place. It cast him down on his face and held his mind captive for the kingdom, that he might explain who Jesus was and whose Son He is.
JESUS SPEAKS TO PAUL
Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad of Crucifixion. The persecutor was overwhelmed by the glory that he saw, and, as you have heard, could only ask “who are You, Lord?” to the question asked of him. He said to him, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, while fighting against the goad, you are persecuting Me. Nazareth is small and the dwellers in her few. Come! See the heavens and the innumerable assemblies of the Watchful Ones. If, as you say, you are threatening a small village, what will you do to the great city of the heavenly ones?
30
2 Cor. 12:2.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܓܬܗ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܳܟ ܽܪܘܙܐ܆ ܡܪܓ ܪ ݂ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܘܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܶܫܠܝܐ ܨܦܚܬܗ ܒܢܘܗܪ ̇ܗ ܕܢ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܽܫܘܦܪ ̇ܗ܀ ܡܠܝܠ ܺ�ܥܝܪ ܳܐܦ ܰܛ ܳܢܢ ܰܘ ܶܪܕ ܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܚܙ ݂ܬܶܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܣܦܝܪ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܣܢ ܳ ܦܬܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܺ ܐܓܪ ̇ܗ ܰܥܡ ܬ ܺܡܝ̈ ܶܡܐ܀ ܘܚܛ ݂ ܶ ܶ ̇ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶܕ ܰܢܚ ݂ ݀ ܘܗܝ ܘܢܦܠ ܒܐܪܥܐ ܡܢ ܬܫܒܘܚܬܗ܆ ܬ ܥ� ̱ �ܗܘܢ ܽܫ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܽܟ ܽ ܬ ܽܩ ܰ ܓܠ ݂ ݀ ܘܦ� ̇ܝܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܬܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܠܗ܀ ܘܕܡ ̱ ܫܡܝܐ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܳ ܥܕܡܐ ܰ ܫܒܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܓ ܳ �ܝܢܐ ܰ ܬܠܬܐ܆ ܘܒܚܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܰܒ ܶ ܕܢܶ ܰܣܩ ܢܶ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܽܫ ܶ ܐܬܪܗ ܳܪܡܐ܀ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ �ܒܝܬ ܰܡ ܽ ܚܛܦ ܰܗܘܢܶܗ ܶ ܳ �ܟܘܬܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܘ ܫܕܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰ ܰܥܠ ܐܦ ̱ ܺܕܢ ܰ ܐܠܦ ܬ ܳܡܢ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܘ ܰ ܕܒܪ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ܀ ܰ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܰ�ܥܠ ܳܡܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܆ ܝܗ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܘܩܒܠ ܽ�ܥ ̈ ܩܫܐ ܗܘ ܳܠܟ ܬܶ ܽ ܒܥܘܛ ܽܠ ܰ ܶ ܘܩ ܶܣ ̇ ܝܦܘܬܐ܀ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܬܡܗ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܽ ܒܫܘܐ �܆ ܒܫܘܒܚܐ ܕܚܙܐ ܘ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܫܡܥܬܘܢ܀ ܕܡܢ ܐܢܬ ܳܡܪܝ ܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܘ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܠܗ ܗܘ ܐ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܗܘ ܳܢ�ܪܝܐ܆ ܳܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܬܟܬܫ ܐܢܬ܀ ܕܪ ܕܦ ܐܢܬ ܠܝ ܟܕ ܥܡ ܥܘܩܣܐ ܡ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ̇ ܳ ܳܽ ܶ ܽܙܥܘܪܝܐ ܢ�ܪܬ ܘܙܥܘܪܝܢ ܒܗ ܐܦ ܥܡܘ� ܐ܆ ܕܥ ܶ ܘܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܺ ܫܡܝܐ ܶ ܚܙܝ ܰ ܬܐ ܺ ܝ� ܐ ܕ� ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢܐ܀ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶܐܢ ܰܠ ܺ ܩܪܝܬܐ ܽܙܥܘܪܬܐ ܺ �ܚܝܡ ܐܢܬ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܐܡܪ ܐܢܬ܆ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܰܪܒܬܐ ܰܕ ̈ܫ ܰܡ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܽܡܘܢ ܬܶ ܶ ܺ ܥܒܕ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀
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If you despise Me for the time I was in Nazareth, what will you do to Me who eternally am here? If you want to see divine Majesty, come! I will show you kingdoms that have no limits to their boundaries. If it is a reproach for you to be an apostle of the Nazarene, I am the one from heaven; go, preach Me everywhere! I am proud of weakness and am wooed by it, even though all the Majesty is Mine, as you can see. Now rise and go to the city towards which you were travelling; there you will be told what to do.” He approached him in a vision and drew him towards Himself. As he became wise in hidden things, He called and appointed him. The persecutor arose but no sight was in his eyes. He opened his eyelids but could see nothing. The splendour of the Nazarene blinded his sight, until He authorised his disciple (Ananias) to re-open his eyes. It was important that Saul should learn that while persecuting these very disciples, Jesus was among them. He closed down his vision and bolted the window of his sight; He gave to Ananias the key to open it again.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܶ ܰ ܶܐܢ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܬ ܰܙܒܢܐ ܳ ܒܢ ܰ�ܪܬ ܳܫܐܛ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ܆ ܗܘ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܝܬܝ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܽܡܘܢ ܬܶ ܶ ܥܒܕ ܺܠܝ܀ ܕܡܬܘܡܐܝܬ ܐ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܰܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܐܢ ܰܪ ܽܒܘܬܐ ܒܥܝܬ ܬܚܙ ܐ ܬܐ ܐܚܘܝܟ܆ ܬܚ ̈ܘ ܰܡ ܽ ܰܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ ܕ� ܺܐܝܬ ܳܣܟܐ ܰܠ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ܀ �ܢ ܳ�ܪܝܐ ܺ ܫܠܝܚܐ ܬܶ ܶ ܶܐܢ ܰܥܝܛܐ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܘܐ܆ ܫܡ ܳܝܢܐ ܐܢܐ ܽܦܘܩ ܰܐ ܶ ܟܪ ܰܙܝܢܝ ܰܒܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܀ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܙܥ ܽ ܘܪܘܬ ܐ ܗܘ ܶܕ ܰ ܘܒܗܪܐ ܺܕܝܠܝ ܰܒ ܽ ܽܫ ܳ ܐܬܪܟܢܶ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ̱ ܳܶ ܰ ܰܟܕ ܰܪ ܽܒܘܬܐ ܺܕܝܠܝ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܘܗܐ ܚܙ ܐ ܐܢܬ܀ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܳ ܽܩܘܡ ܙܶܠ ܳܗܫܐ ܽܥܘܠ ܰ�ܠ ܺ ܕܠ ̇ܗ ܳܪ ܶܕܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘܝܬ܆ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܳ�ܠܟ ܳܡܢܐ ܬܶ ܶ ܘܬ ܳܡܢ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܶܡ ܰ ܥܒܕ܀ �ܝܢܐ ܰ ܒܓ ܳ ܬܚܗ ܶ ܰܡ ܶ ܒܚܙܘܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܡܢ ܶܓܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܓ� ̈� ܳܙܬܐ ܳ ܬܚ ܰܟܡ ܰܒ ܺ ܰ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܘ ܺܐܩ ܶ ܘܟܕ ܶܐ ܰ ܝܡܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܳܩܡ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܫܩܝܠ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܒ ̈ܒܬܗ܆ ܺ ܚܙ ܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ � ܶܡ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܘܢܶ ܶ ܫܟܚ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܦܬ�̈ ܳܚܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܶܡܢ ܳܢ ܳ�ܪܝܐ ܰ ܘ� ܰܘܪ ܐܢܶܝܢ܆ ܢܦܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܙܗܪܐ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܠܬ ܺ �ܡ ܶ ܢܦܬܚ ܐܢܶܝܢ܀ ܝܕܗ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܫܘܠܛܢܐ ܘ ܒܝܕ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܺܢ ܰ ܳܐܦ ܳܙ ܶܕܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܠܦ ܳܫܐܘܠ܆ ܰ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ ܠܬ ܺ ܒܗܘܢ ̱ܗܘܐ �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ܀ ܕ ܰ ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܚܒܫ ܠܚܙܬܗ ܘܐܪܡܝ ܩܘܦ� ܒܐܦܝ ܢܘܗܪܗ܆ ܰ �ܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܰ�ܗܒ ܗܘܐ ܺ ܰܘ ܰ ܩܠܝܕܐ ܽܕܗܘ ܢܶܦܬܚ ܶܠܗ܀ ̱ ̱
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He sent him to the disciples who were being persecuted; by healing him, his power was subdued by the persecuted ones. He rendered blind the famous scribe so that he might know his need of the unlearned for the gospel to be illumined. He showed him his need for an interpreter, so he might understand the simple power of the Cross. Because he was so proud of his own rhetoric, his neck was bent before the ignorant that they might cure him. Because he thought himself enlightened by his findings, he was sent to the disciples to find true light. “Enter into the city and it will be told you what to do”: 31 why this, if not to shame him before the disciples? Saul began to travel on the way and they lead him, the newly blinded one, that he might enlighten the world by his proclamation. His soul was filled with great light from the revelation when, by a stratagem, outer light was removed from his eyes. Because he went out to persecute the Light, He (the Light) made him blind so that he might return a witness to the Light once he was enlightened. He entered the city, as we said, and they were drawing him. The priests welcomed him because they heard he was zealous.
31
Acts 9:6.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܕܦܝܢ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܫ ܶ ܬܪ ܺ ܕܡ ܰ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܶ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܬ ܺ ܕܪܗ �ܶ ܽܥܘܠ܆ ̱ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܐܣܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܢܶ ܶ ܰܕܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܩܕܡ ܬ ܺܡܝ̈ ܶܡܐ܀ ܟܦܗ �ܥܘܫܢܗ ܫܩܠ ܗܘܐ ܽܢ ܶ ܰ ܡܗܝܪܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܕܣܦܪܐ ܺ ܘܗܪܗ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ܆ ̱ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܶ ܰ ܕܥܠ ܶܗ ܽܕܝ ̈ܘ ܶܛܐ ܺ ܣܢܝܩ ܰܕ ܰ �ܡ ܰ ܬܢ ܳܗ ܽܪܘ܀ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܦ ܳ ܫܩܢܐ ܺ ܣܢܝܩܐ ܰܥ ܶ ܒܕܗ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܘܬ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ܀ ܟܡܐ ܐܝܬ ܰܚܝ� ܒܦܫܝܛ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܡܠ ܽ ܚܬܝܪ ܗܘܐ ܰܒ ܺ ܘܗܝ܆ ܝ�ܘܬܐ ܺܕ ܥܠ ܕ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ̈ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܟ ܶܦܗ )� (sicܨܘܪܗ ܩܕܡ ܗܕܝܘܛܐ ܐܝܟ ܕܢܐܣܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ܀ ܳ ܕܣ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܕܢ ܺܗܝܪܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܒ ̈ܫ ܳܟ ܳܚܬܐ܆ ܫܟܚܬܐ ܽܕܢ ܶ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܰܫ ܶ ܕܪܗ ܕܢܶܒܥܶܐ ܳ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܬ ܺ ܘܗܪܗ܀ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܶ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܳ�ܠܟ ܳܡܢܐ ܬܶ ܶ ܘܡ ܰ ܽܥܘܠ ܰ�ܠ ܺ ܥܒܕ܆ �ܡܢܐ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܶܐ � ܕܢܶ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܰܬ ܺ ܳ ܟܦܗ ܳ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܀ ܰܫ ܺܪܝ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܪܕ ܐ ܽܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܰܘ ܺܢܓ ܺ ܝܕܝܢ ܶܠܗ܆ ܶ �ܣܡܝܐ ܰܚܕܬܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܗܪ ܳܥܠܡܐ ܳ ܰ ܒܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܗ܀ ܦܫܗ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰܪܒܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܓ ܳ ܰܡܠܝܐ ܰܢ ܶ �ܝܢܐ܆ ܽ ܰܘ ܺ ܫܩܝܠ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰܕ ܰ �ܒܪ ܶܡܛܠ ܽܦܘܪܣܐ܀ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܰ ܢܦܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܽܪܕܘܦ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰܥ ܶ ܒܕܗ ܰܣܡܝܐ܆ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܗܦܘܟ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܳܣܗܕܐ ܽ �ܢܘܗܪܐ ܡܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܬ� ܰܗܪ܀ ܰ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܰܘ ܺܢܓ ܺ ܰܥܠ� ܰܠ ܺ ܝܕܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰܐܡ ܰܪܢܢ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕ ܰ ܫܡܥܘ ܕܛ ܳܢܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܩܒ� ̱
B 735
44 375
HOMILIES ON PAUL
They rejoiced over him because he had come to inflict sufferings on the followers of Jesus; they welcomed him as a hero and rejoiced over him.
THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN JEWISH PRIESTS AND PAUL
380
385
390
The priests of the Nation were saying these things to him: “For a long time we have been waiting for one of your thoroughness. Sir, we have heard of the zeal in which you were clad against Jesus who deceived both our people and his disciples. We learned of the sufferings you made them endure, men and women who confess His Name, and we praise you greatly. Reports were reaching us about the ardour of your zeal: the multitudes you have arraigned for confessing His Name. They told us of the anger with which your mind was consumed against this heretic and the foolish people he deceived. Today we will witness your vehemence about which we have heard. Arise as an expert and with you we will bind them. Show us here the mightiness of your zeal, we have been looking forward to seeing you so that you will help us. Those who were led astray after Jesus troubled the earth will be weeded out from among us by your diligent help.” Saul says, “Now, I’ll have my say! Don’t be quick to take action; because it is not our concern.
45 375
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܣܒܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰܠ ܶ ܚܕܝܘ ܶܒܗ ܶܕ ܐܬܐ ܰܕܢ ܶ ܺ ܕܒܝܬ �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ܆ ܽ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܘ ܺ ܦܨ ܺ ܝܚܝܢ ܶܒܗ܀ �ܪܒܐ ܳ ܰܩܒ� ̱ ܟܒܪ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܐ ܺ ܡܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܕܥܡܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܝ�ܘܬܟ܀ ܕܗܐ ܰܙܒܢܐ ܠܢ ܕܡܣܟܝܢܢ ܠܒܛ ܰ ܺ ܛܢܢܐ ܺ ܫܡܝܥ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܠܢ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܕ ܐܝܢܐ ܳ �ܒܝܫ ܐܢܬ ܽܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ܆ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܕ ܺ ܐܛܥܝ ܰ ܘܬ ܺ ܽܠ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܥ ܰܡܢ ܽܗܘ �ܡ ̈� ܰܕ ̱ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܳܣ ܺ ܦܢܢ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܕ ܶ ܺ� ܶ� ܰ ܒܠܝܢ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ܆ ܳ ܰܓ ܶ ܘܕܝܢ ܰܒ ܶ ܘܛܒ ܰܫ ܰܒ ܳ ܕܡ ܶ ܒ� ܐ ܘܢܶ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰ ܚܢܟ܀ ܫܡܗ ܳܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܐܬܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܠܢ ܶܫ ̈ܡܥܶܐ ܙ� ܶܝܙ ܐ ܕܛ ܳ� ܽܢܘܬܟ܆ ܕܡ ܶ ܪܓܪ ܰܐܢܬ ܰ�ܝܢܐ ܰ ܡܓ ܰ ܟܡܐ ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ܰܒܫܡܐ ܳܗܢܐ܀ ܶ ܳܐ ܺ ܡ� ܶܪ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢܟ܆ ܡܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܠܢ ܰܕ ܐܝܕܐ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܫܒܪܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܩܒܠ ܳܛܥܝܐ ܽ ܘܩܒܠ ܽ�ܓܘܕܐ ܰ ܘܠ ܰ ܽܠ ܰ ܐܛܥܝ܀ ܳ ܚܙ ܐ ܰ� ܳ ܫܡ ܳ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܥܢܟ ܢܶ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܰ� ܺܙ ܽܝܙܘܬܟ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܐܣܘܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܘܩܘܡ ܐܝܟ ܛܪܩܐ ܘܚܢܢ ܥܡܟ ܢ ܺ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܛ� ܳܢܟ ܰܚܘܐ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܳܪ ܐܝܬ܆ ܕܚ ܺ ܚܙܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘ ܰܝܢܢ ܶܕ ܰܐܡܬܝ ܢܶ ܶ ܳ ܬ� ܰܕܪ ܰܠܢ܀ ܰ ܰ ܘܗ �ܪܥܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܕ ܰ ܰܕ ܽ �ܚ ̇ ܛܥܘ ܳܒܬܪ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܆ ܰ ܰ ܶܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܒܥܪ ܐܢܘܢ ܡܢ ܒܝܢܬܢ ܒܚܦܝܛܘܬܟ܀ ܳ ܺܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܐܡܪ ܡܕܝܢ ܐܢܐ ܡܠܝ܆ � ܬܶ ܰ ܗܒܘܢ ܰܥܠ ܽܣ ܳ ܕܠܘ ܺܕ ܰ ܘܥܪܢܐ ܰ ܬܪ ܽ ܝܠܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ܀
B 736
46 395
400
405
410
HOMILIES ON PAUL
The son of the carpenter took the light from my eyes as a pledge. Go and bring me the pledge taken from me which I will accept. He closed the doors of my eyes while I was coming on the road. I will love Him who can now reopen them. Henceforth do not judge me on what you have heard, because there is something new I have to say and proclaim to you. keep this sign (of my blindness) until I can see (again). As I have said: Who will give me the light of my eyes? Let Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees come! Can any of them by their power restore light to my eyes? This is an open trial and it is as plain as day; I am right in the middle; I will indicate whoever opens my eyes. This is my longing: to see who has the light? I will trust the one who can actually open my eyes. I am in darkness, I seek the one who can give me light; I will listen and not dispute anything he has to say to me.” The priests say, “What is this you are saying? If what you say is true, are you devising a way of testing us? Perhaps, being clever, you are speaking deceitfully; Anyone here who acknowledges Jesus will have to endure suffering.
47 395
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܕ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܺ ܫܩܝܠ ܶܡ ܳ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰ ܫܟܢܐ ܰ �ܒܪ ܰܢ ܳܓܪܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܫܟܢܝ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܬܘ ܺܠܝ ܶܡ ܳ ܫܩܝܠ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܙܠܘ ܐ ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܬ �ܥܶܐ ܕ��ܢܝ ܛܦܐ ܐ̱ܢܘܢ ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܟܕ ܐܬ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܕܡ ܰ ܰܘ�ܝܢܐ ܶ ܫܟܚ ܢܶܦܬܚ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܶܚܒ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܽ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܥܬܘܢ ܶܡܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܗܠ܆ � ܬܚܘܪܘܢ ܒܝ ܐܝܟ ܕܫܡ ܐܣ ܰܒ ܽ ܶ ܕܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܚܕܬܐ ܺܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܺܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܶܘ ܰ ܪܟܘܢ܀ ܳ ܳܢ ܰܛܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܳ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܐܬܐ ܰܥܕ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܕ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܰܐܟܡܐ ܶܕ ܶ ܰܡܢ ܳ� ܶܗܒ ܺܠܝ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ܀ ܺ ܽ ܐܬܘܢ ܳܣ ܶ ܦ� ܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܦ� ܳ ܝܫܝܶܐ ܰܘܙ ܽܕ ̈ܘ ܳܩܝܶܐ܆ ܢ ܰܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܚܕ ܚܕ ܡܢܗܘܢ ܢܚܘܐ ܚܝܠܗ ܐܢ ܡܢܗܪ ܠܝ܀ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽܒ ܰ ܘܩܐܡ ܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܺܗܝܪܐ܆ ܘܩܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܗܢܐ ܕ ܓ� ܶ ܰ ܰ ܘܡ ܳ ܨܥܝܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܕ ܶ ܶ ܐܬܦܬܚ܀ ܐܗܘܐ ܳܣܗܕܐ ܡܐ ܕ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܳ �ܡ ܽܢܘ ܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ܆ ܒܥܬܐ ̱ܗܝ ܐܚܙ ܐ ܰ ܘܡܐ ܰܕ ܽ ܒܩܘܫܬܐ ܦܬܚ ܺܠܝ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܰܫܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܢܶܒܥܶܐ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܡܢ ܰܡ ܰ ܢܗܪ ܺܠܝ ܶ ܕܚ ܽܫܘܟܐ ܺܠܝ܆ ܰܘܕ� ܰܕܪܫܐ ܶܠܗ ܳܫ ܰܡܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܽܟܠ ܳܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܺܠܝ܀ ܰ ܳܐ ܺ ܡܪܝܢ ܳܟ ̈ܗܢܶܐ ܳܡ ܰܢܘ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܐܢܬ܆ ܰ ܒܩܐ ܰܠܢ ܶܡ ܰ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܢ ܰܟܝ ܰܐܘ ܬܶ ܶ ܬܦ ܰܪܣ ܐܢܬ܀ ܰ ܰܕܠܡܐ ܒܢܶܟ� ܳܬ ܶ� ݁ ܝܬ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܐܝܟ ܰܚ ܺܟܝܡܐ܆ ܒܝ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܢܶ ܽ ܕܡ ܶ ܶܕ ܐܢ ܺܐܝܬ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ܶ ܣܒܘܠ܀
B 737
48 415
420
425
430
HOMILIES ON PAUL
Unswervingly we placed our trust in your fidelity. Hand over the letters since we have heard why you have come.” Saul says, “I do not speak deceitfully; I preach the truth I have learned and the things I have seen. When I received the letters to take (with me), I was my old self but on the way Christ met me and made me new. Look! I am tearing up the letters as you can see, so that you can believe my word that I do not approve of my former deeds. The building I then built, I (presently) pull down. From now on I will build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Unlike you I saw Jesus, whom you treat with contempt, (robed) in a glory that earthly beings cannot explain. I am ripping up the letters while I am still blind, for I cannot bear to see Him shamed in these writings. Having beheld his glory I can no longer dishonour Him. I am intoxicated by His love from which I can no longer depart. With God Saul exchanged light for light; in place of his previous enlightenment he received another even greater. The sun of righteousness shone in his mind and its rays extinguished all the light that was outside.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܳ ܰ ܬܟ ܺ ܺ ܝܠ ܰܝܢܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰ ܕܫ ܺܪ ܽܝܪܘܬܟ � ܶܡ�ܛܠܝܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶܰ ܰܗܒ ܶܐ ܳ ܓ�ܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ �ܡܘܢ ܐܬܝܬ܀ ܫܡܝܥ ̱ܗܘ ܠܢ ܕ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܶܐܢܐ ܒܢܶܟ� � ܰ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܫܪܪܐ �ܶ ܶ ܝܬ ܽܗܘ ܰܡ ܶ ܳ �ܦܬ ܶ ܘܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕ ܺ ܟܪܙ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܚܙ ݂ ܶ ܺ ܰܟܕ ܶܐ ܳ ܓ�ܬܐ ܶܫ ܶ ܝܬ܆ ܩܠ ݂ܬ ܰܕ ܐܝܬܐ ܰܥܬܝܩܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܦܓܥ ܶܠܗ ܺܒܝ ܺ ܘܚܕܬܐ ܰܥ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܽܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܒܕܢܝ܀ ܽ ܰ ܗܐ ܶ� ܳ ܡܬ ܰܠܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶ �ܗܝܢ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܙܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܘܢ܆ ܓ�ܬܐ ܰ ܕܬ ܽ ܫܪܘܢ ܶܡ ܰ ̈ܠܝ ܕ� ܳܫ ܶܠܡ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰ �ܩ ̈ܕ ܳܡ ܳܝܬܐ܀ �ܗܘ ܶܒ ܳܢܝܢܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܰ ܝܬ ܳܗ ܶ ܝܕܝܢ ܳܥ ܰܩܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܒܢ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܬܐܣܬܐ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܶܐܒܢܶܐ ܶܡܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܗܠ܀ ܕܥܠ ܫ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܽ ܺ ܶ ܚܙܝܬܗ �ܝܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܠܘ ܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܐܢܬܘܢ ܳܫܝܛܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܘܢ ܶܠܗ܆ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܒܫܘܒܚܐ ܕ� ܶܡ ܰ ܶܐ � ܽ ��ܢܶܐ܀ ܶ� ܳ ܡܣ ܶܕܩ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶ ܓ�ܬܐ ܶܕܝܢ ܰ �ܗܝܢ ܰܥܕ ܰܣܡܝܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܺ ܚܙ ܐ ܰܨ ܶ ܕ� ܶܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܐ ܶ ܥܪܗ ܰܒܟܬ�̈ ܳܒܬܐ܀ ܽ �ܨ ܶ ܺ ܘܒܚܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܽܫ ܶ ܥܪܗ ܬܘܒ � ܳܩ ܶܪܒ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܚܙ ݂ ܐܪܚܩ ܶܡܢܶܗ � ܶܡ ܰ ܒܚ ܶ ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܽ ܘܒܗ ܶܘ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܺܪܘ ݂ ܰ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܽ ܒܢܘܗܪܐ ܰܚ ܶܠܦ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܰ�ܥܡ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܆ ܝܠܗ ܐ ܺ ܚܠܦ ܰܗܘ ܺܕ ܶ ܳ ܚܪܢܐ ܰ ܫܩܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕܪܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ܀ ̱ ܒܓܘ ܶܪ ܳ ܰܕܢܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܫܡܫܐ ܰܕܙ ܺܕ ܽܝܩܘܬܐ ܰ ܥ�ܢܶܗ܆ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ �ܒܪ ܐܬܛ ܰܠܩ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܗܝ ܢܘܗܪܗ ܕ ܘܡܢ ܰܙ�ܝ̈ ܰܩ ̱
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HOMILIES ON PAUL
DIALOGUE BETWEEN JESUS AND ANANIAS
By his wisdom the son of the carpenter outwitted the lion, He summoned Ananias, his disciple, to come and see him 32. He established His truth by the things He did; sending a persecuted one to restore light to the persecutor. The disciples were fleeing from Saul 33 because he was persecuting them wilfully and without mercy. They heard a report that he was in a rage and on his way to kill. Out of fear of him they went into hiding. Shaken and afraid they hid themselves away. (Until) the Lord told Ananias in a vision to go to him. “Stand up, come, go and see Saul and lend him a hand. I have shown you to him; even before you go he will believe in you.” In the vision he has seen, I told him your name and what you are like. He is expecting you. Do not delay his work (that Paul has to do). Ananias heard the account of Saul and was terrified. He began to beg that he might not have to go to the persecutor. “Lord, since when did he become so close to your disciples? Is this not a ruse to further injure and destroy? When did the wolf learn to feed with the lambs and love them? Who can feed the hawk alongside the fledglings?
32 33
Acts 9:10–16. Acts 9:26.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܰ ܰܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܝܡܘܬܗ܆ ܒܫܗ �ܪܝܐ ܒܚܟ ܒܪ ܢܓܪܐ ܚ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܝܕܗ ܢܐܬ ܐ ܢ ܶ �ܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܩܪܐ ܰܬ�ܡ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܘܗܝ܀ ܚܙ ̱ ܥܒܕ ܰܠ ܳ ܒܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕ ܰ ܫܪ ܶܪܗ ܶ �ܝܘܬ ܰܐ ̈ܶܦܐ ܰ ܰܓ ܽ ܣܥܪ܆ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܐܬ ܐ ܺܪܕܝܦܐ ܰܘ ܳ �ܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܢܶܬܠ܀ ܕܢ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰܬ�ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܕܝܢ �ܪܝܩܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܡܢܗ ܳ ܕܫܐܘܠ܆ ܕܚ ܺܨ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܰܘܕ� ܰ� ܶ ܝܦܐܺܝܬ ܳܪ ܶܕܦ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ ܰ ܚܡܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܫܓܝܪ ܳܘܐܬ ܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ ܰ ܫܡܥܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܛ ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܺ �ܩܛ�܆ ܽ ܶ ܘܥ�ܘ ܰܒ ̈ܟ ܺܡ ܶܐܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܕ ܰ ܚܠ ܽ ܰ ܬܗܘܢ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ܀ ܳ ܰ ܝܠܝܢ ܳܪ ܺ ܰܟܕ ܰܕ ܺܚ ܺ ܥܠܝܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܐܦ ܛ ܺܫ ܺܝܝܢ܆ ܶ ܳܡܪܝܐ ܶ ܒܚܙܘܐ ܩܪܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱ ܺ �ܫܐܘܠ ܰ ܽܩܘܡ ܰܠܡ ܬܐ ܙܶܠ ܰܘ ܺ ܚܙܝ ܳ ܘܗܒ ܶܠܗ ܐܝܕܐ܆ ܳ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܥܕ� ܺܬ ܰܐܙܠ ܰܕ ܰܢܗ ܶ ܪܬܟ ܽܩ ܰ ܝܡܢ ܳܒܟ܀ � ܘܕܡ ̱ ܶ ܘܡܟ ܪ ܶ ܩܢ ܳ ܳ ܫܡܟ ܰܘ ܽ ܫܡ ݂ܬ ܽܩ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܶ ܒܚܙܘܐ ܰܕܚܙܐ܆ ܘܕܡ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܘܚܪ ܶܡܢ ܽܣ ܳ ܫܬ ܰ ܘܥܪ ܶܢܗ܀ ܳܚܐܪ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ � ܬ ܰ ܫܡܥ ܰܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܰܫ ܶ ܰ ܪܒܗ ܳ ܕܫܐܘܠ ܶܘܐܣܬ ܰܪܕ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܘܫ ܺܪܝ ܺ ܰ ܡܦܝܣ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕ� ܺܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܶܨܝܕ ܳܪ ܽܕܘܦܐ܀ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܡܢ ܶܐ ܰܡܬܝ ܺ �ܗܢܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܬ ܺ ܩܪܝܒ ܶܠܗ ܳ �ܡ ̈� ܰܕܝܟ܆ ܐܣܘܪ ܰܘܢ ܶ �ܡ ܳ ܶܐ � ܕܢܶ ܽ ܣܒܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܒ ܽܕܘ܀ ܶ ܶܐ ܰܡܬܝ ܺܕ ܐܒܐ ܪܥܐ ܰܥܡ ܶܐ ܶ ܡ� ܐ ܰ ܘܚ ܶܒܒ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܪܡܝ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܐ ܺ ܰ �ܩܛܐ �ܢܶ�ܐ ܰܥܡ ܰܦ ܽ� ܶ ܘܓܐ܀
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HOMILIES ON PAUL
Who can put a snake in the nest of a dove? How can this man possibly join with your disciples?” “Go Ananias”, said our Lord, “take courage; Look! The lion has been captured, his strength reduced, and he is waiting for you. I have bound the wolf and it now stays with the lambs tame and serene; the cruel one has been subjugated and will not harm you. Behold the mighty one is bound in darkness and his strength has been broken; go and free him because he is exhausted and weary. Come and see! Behold the lion eats straw like a bull and is pressed down like you under the yoke of crucifixion. Go, see the skilful scribe who has ended his words. And look! He has wrapped himself in simplicity from now on. He is my chosen vessel in whom the gospel will be poured; he will comprehend it as his heart has been enlarged.” I will endeavour to praise Paul though I cannot achieve it; the foot of this homily is higher than my head. How can I speak of him? What ordinary person can depict such a king, not knowing to distinguish colours and pigments? Who is capable of producing an admirable portrait of Paul, except the finger of the godhead by which he is adorned.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܫܟܚ ܰܡܥܶܠ ܶܚܘܝܐ ܶ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܡ ܰ �ܩܢܐ ܰܕܝ ̈ܘ ܶܢܐ܆ ܰ ܐܝܟܢ ܰܡܨܝܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܚ�ܘܛ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܥܡ ܬ ܺ �ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ܀ ܚܙܝ ܶܘ ܰ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܙܶܠ ܰܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܺ ܐܬ� ܰܒܒ܆ ܘܡ ܰ ܕܗܐ ܺ �ܒܝܟ ܰܐܪܝܐ ܰ ܪܟܢ ܽܥܘܫܢܶܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܣ ܶܟܐ ܳܠܟ܀ ܶ �ܟܐܒܐ ܘܗܐ ܰܥܡ ܐ ܶ ܦܟܪܬܶܗ ܺ ܰ ܡ� ܐ ܺܢܝܚ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܫ ܰܝܢ܆ ܬܟ ܰܒܫ ܶܠܗ ܰܒ ܺ ܶܐ ܰ ܥܪ ܳܝܪܝܐ ܘ� ܰܡ ܶܟܐ ܳܠܟ܀ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܒܛܝܠ ܽ�ܬ ܶ ܗܐ ܶ ܘܩܦܗ܆ ܒܚ ܽܫܘܟܐ ܦܟܝܪ ܓܢ̱ܒܪܐ ܘ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܐܫܬ ܰܦܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܛ ܳ ܙܶܠ ܰܐܢܬ ܰܘ ܺ ܘܪܦܐ܀ ܘܗܝ ܕ ܫܪ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܚܙܝ �ܪܝܐ ܕܗܐ ܐܝܟ ܬܘܪܐ ܐ ܶܟܠ�ܬܒܢܐ܆ ܬܐ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰܘܬܚܝܬ ܢܝܪ ̇ܗ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬܐ ܟܕܝܢ ܐܟܘܬܟ܀ ܶ ܰ̈ ܒܣܦܪܐ ܺ ܬܒ ܳܩܐ ܳ ܙܶܠ ܶܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܡܗܝܪܐ ܰܕܒܛܠ ܶܡ� ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܝܛܘܬܐ ܶܡܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܗܠ܀ ܘܗܐ ܡܬܓܘܣ ܒܦܫ ܶ ܡܐܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܺ ܰ ܝܬ ܐ ܰܣ ܶܦܩ ܶܒܗ ܳܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܆ ܓܒ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܡܣܬ ܰܟܠ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܀ ܐ ܶܚܕ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺܪܘܝܚ ܶ� ܶܒܗ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܠܦ ܳ ܡܬܘܚ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܩ ܳ� ܽܣܘ � ܳܡܛܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܘܠܘܣ ܐ ܐܝܟܢ ܺܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܶ ܐܡܪܗ ܳܪܡܐ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܺܪܫ ܰܘ ܰ ܕܥܶܩܒܐ ܺ ܡܪܗ܀ ܡ� ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܰܡܢ ܶܗ ܽܕ�ܘܛܐ ܶ �ܡܠܟܐ ܰܨܠܡܐ ܰܢ ܶܣܩ܆ ܰ ܰܒܕ� ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܢܶ ܽ ܦܪܘܩ ܰܓ ̈ܘ ܶܢܐ ܐܘ ܰܣ ̈ܡ ܳܡܢܶܐ܀ ܬܡܝܗܐ ܰ ܕܦ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܰܨܠܡܐ ܺ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܡܢ ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܶܠܗ܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶܐ � ܶܨ ܳ ܕܒ ̇ܗ ܐ�ܛ ܰܒܬ܀ ܒܥ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܳܐ� ܽܗܘܬܐ
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Afterwards He openly called him His chosen vessel. Who can improve the beauty of a beautiful one? With discernment He wisely selected his chosen one; His goodness caused the chosen one to devote himself to Him. His election is something prized for he put on beauty at his renewal. He who is upright chose him; he who was chosen grasped it with his freewill. “This chosen one is my vessel and a very fitting one for me; he will carry my name among the gentiles and among kings 34. He has much to suffer on my account 35 when he preaches about me.
THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN PAUL AND ANANIAS
Go therefore Ananias, open his eyes. By the mouth of the Lord the chosen one who became famous is extolled; How could I suppose to have worthily extolled his beauty? The disciple obeyed the word of the Lord as he was commanded; he went and gave light to the blind eyes of Saul. He came towards him and put his hand over his eyes. A light appeared inside his darkened pupils. 36 He called Saul, “my brother”, to show him that he is his brother; Paul will also acknowledge the family into which he was admitted. “Our Lord Jesus who met you has sent me to you and by my hands has sent you light from His treasury.” 37
Acts 9:15. Acts 9:16. 36 Acts 9:18. 37 Acts 9:17. 34 35
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܰ ܳܺ ܳ ܰ ܕܡܐܢܐ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܳ ܬܪ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ �ܝܐܝܬ܆ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܓ ܒ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܡܢ ܬܘܒ ܡܫܟܚ ܰܢܘܣܦ ܽܫܘܦܪܐ ܒܗܘ ܰܫܦܝܪܐ܀ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܝܡܐܝܬ ܓܒܐ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܓܒܐ ܐܝܟ ܳܦ ܽܪܘܫܐ܆ ܚܟ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܐܦ ܗܘ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܒܫܦܝܪܘܬܗ ܐܓܒܝ ܢܦܫܗ܀ ܺ ܶ ܒܚ ܳ ܒܫ ݂ ݀ ܘܕ ܳܬ ̇ܗ ܽܫܘܦܪܐ ܶܠ ܰ ܝܬܗ ܰܕ ܽ ܺ ܬ܆ ܪܚܝܡܐ ܓܒ ܶ ܰܘ ܺ ܬܪܝܨ ܰܕ ܓܒܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܒܚܐ ܽܪܘܬܐ ܐ̱ ܰܚܕ ܰܟܕ ܳܓ ܶܒܐ܀ ܳ ܳܡ ܰܐܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܺܠܝ ܰܠܡ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܘܛܒ ܳܚ ܰܫܚ ܺܠܝ܆ ܰܘܫܡܐ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܕܢܶ ܰܣܒ ܰ ܒܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰ ܘܒ ܳܝܢܬ ܰܡ ̈� ܶܟܐ܀ ܕܡ ܶ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܕܢܶ ܰܚܫ ܳ ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܡܐ ܰ ܟܪܙ ܺܠܝ܆ ܰ ܶ ܶܡ ܽܛ ܳ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܗܢܐ ܙܶܠ ܰܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܦܬܚ ܠܗ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܽ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܒܦ ܶ ܘܡܗ ܳ ܬܩ ܰܠܣ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܨܚ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܡ� ܽܫ ܶ ܘ� ܰܡ ܰ ܘܦ� ܐ܀ ܡܪܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐܣܒܪ ܕܩ�ܣ ݂ܬ ܠ ܶ ܶ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰ ܳܩܡ ܰܬ ܺ ܠܬܗ ܳ ܐܬܦ ܰܩܕ܆ �ܡܝܕܐ ܒܡ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܬܠ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܳ �ܫܐܘܠ ܶܕ ܐܣܬ ܺܡܝ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܕܢܐܙܠ ܢ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܳ ܘܣܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܝܕܗ �ܥܠ ܡܢ � ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܰܥܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܳ̈ ܶ ܰ ܬܗ ܶ ܕܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܳܟܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܀ ܰܘ ܰܕܢܚ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܒܓܘ ܒܒ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܗܝ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܐܚܝ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܘܐ ܠܗ ܰܕ ܽܐܚ ̱ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܢ ܶ ܒܓܢܣܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ܶ ܐܬܚ ܰܠܛ ܶܒܗ܀ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܫ ܰ ܕܪܢܝ ܶ� ܰܐܕܝܟ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܰ ܦܓܥ ܳܒܟ܆ ܽ ܘܗܘ ܰܫ ܰܕܪ ܳܠܟ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܺܒ ̈ ܐܝ ܰܕܝ ܶܡܢ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܓ ܶܙܗ܀
B 741
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HOMILIES ON PAUL
Paul said, “Yes, you are truly from Him, because everyone who has light radiates it on all sides. The light was cupped in your hand, O fellow man, as it approached me; streams of brightness poured from your fingers. You are a disciple of Him whom I saw, since streams of brightness (also) surrounded Him, waves of light in whose rays the eyes are bathed. You are from Him in whose light I saw glory, some tiny portion from that infinite sea.” Saul, the scribe, was questioned by Ananias. By the disciple’s efforts the skilled orator put on Christ. He opened to him the door of baptism and confirmed him in the new womb that each day begets beautiful things. He purified the chosen vessel in the divine water, So the gospel might fall on one capable of receiving it. From inside the womb of baptism, Paul emerged with eagerness. His voice is powerful and better than that of his fellow apostles. Who like him has looked at the cross and received from it the new light of all the beauty it proclaims.
JESUS IS SOLE ROLE MODEL OF JESUS
Who looks like him? For he looks completely like Christ. “You should imitate me as I am in Christ.” 38
38
1 Cor 11:1.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܦ ܳ ܝܠܗ ܐܢܬ܆ ܘܠܘܣ ܐܝܢ ܒܫܪܪܐ ܕܡܢ ܕ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܽܕܟ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܡܢ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܠܗ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܪ ܶܣܡ ܶܡܢ ܟܠ ܰ�ܓ ̈ܒ ̱ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܶ ܐܝܕܟ ܰܟܕ ܶܩ ܰ ܪܒ ݂ ݀ ܩܒܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܺܒ ܳ ܬ ܺܠܝ܆ ܳ ܘܒ ܶ ܰ ܬ� ܺ �ܩܐ ܺܕܙܝܘܐ ܶܡ ܰ �ܕܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ܶܨ ̈ܒ ܳܥܬܟ܀ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܝܬܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܟܪ ܺ ܝܟܝܢ ܶܠܗ܆ ܝܕܗ ܐܢܬ ܕܗܘ ܕܚܙ ܬ�ܡ ܶ ܳ ܒܙ ܺ�ܝ̈ ܰܩ ܽ ܰܓ ̈�� ܽܕܢܘܗܪܐ ܕܛܝܦܐ ܰܥܝܢܐ ܰ ܝܗܘܢ܀ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶܡܢ ܺܕ ܶ ܕܗܘ ܰܕ ܽ ܝܠܗ ܰܐܢܬ ܰ ܒܢܘܗܪܐ ܺ ܫܒܘܚܬܗ܆ ܝܬ ܬ ܚܙ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܢܐ ܶܒ�ܪܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܗܘ ܰ�ܡܐ ܕ� ܶܡܣܬ ܰ�ܟ܀ ܰܰ ܳܣܦܪܐ ܳܫܐܘܠ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܰܢܢܝܐ ܶܡܫܬܐܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܪܗܛܪܐ ܺ ܡܠܝ� ܶܡܢ ܰܬ ܺ ܺ �ܡܝܕܐ ܺ �ܒܝܫ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܫܝܚܐ܀ ܰ ܘܥܠ ܰܐ ܺܩ ܶ ܘܕܝܬܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܽ ܥܡ ܺ ܦܬܚ ܶܠܗ ܰܬܪܥܐ ܰ ܝܡܗ܆ �ܝܘܡ ܽܟܠ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܶ ܰ ܚܕܬܐ ܳܕ�ܠܕܐ ܽܟ ܽ ܒܟܪܣܐ ܰ ܝ� ܐ܀ ܰ ܰ ܳ �ܡܐܢܐ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܰܡ ܶ ܳ ܒܡܝ̈ܐ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗ�̈ܶܐ܆ ܪܩܗ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܢܶ ܰ ܣܦܩ ܰܠ ܰ ܰܕܟܕ ܳܢܦ� ܶܒܗ ܰ ܡܩ ܳܒ ܽ�ܘ܀ ܒܚܐܦܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܽ ܥܡ ܺ ܢܦܩ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܽܥ ܳ ܘܒ ̇ܗ ܰ ܺ ܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܒ�ܘܗܝ ܰܒ ܺ ܰ ܫܠ ܽ ܝܚܘܬܐ܀ ܘ� ܺܙ ܰܝܙ ܳܩܠܗ ܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ̱ ܕܚܪ ܰܒ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܰ ܰܡܢ ܐܝܟ ܳܗܢܐ ܳ ܘܩ ܶܒܠ ܶܡܢܶܗ܆ �ܗܘܢ ܽܫ ܶ ܬܒ ܺ ܽܢܘܗܪܐ ܰܚܕܬܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܘܦ� ܐ ܶܒܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܚܪܝܢ܀ ܰܡܢ ܳܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܠܗ ܽܕܗܘ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܳܕ ܶܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ܆ ܬܕ ܰܡܘ ܺܒܝ ܰܐ ܰ ܝܟܢ ܶܕ ܐܢܐ ܰܒ ܺ ܶܐ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܠܡ܀
B 742
58 515
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HOMILIES ON PAUL
The word is so great that the very hearing of it makes human nature surpass itself. The intellect was stunned and the mind conquered from hearing this very word. Paul looked neither at the first word nor at the last word, he looked to the heights, to the beauty of Christ so that he might imitate Him. Although there were ten thousand varieties of beautiful people, he outshone them all; nor could he imitate anybody but Jesus. When Melchizedek 39 was placed before him as a mirror, he did not look at him; his vision clung to Christ. He did not imitate the glorious Enoch 40 who did not taste death; he earnestly desired to imitate his Lord who was killed. He was not content to keep a fast like Elijah’s, 41 his fast was in the footsteps of Christ. He did not look to imitate the wonders of Moses. 42 He desired to attain the image of the sufferings of Christ. All those beauties are commonplace in comparison to that beauty; he does not wish to imitate anyone but his Lord. When he ascended he rose above the images of all the just, he immersed himself in Christ and not in any other. He set aside the virtue of all the upright; he did not intend to imitate it, but only Jesus.
Gen 4:18; Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:10, 11, 15, 17. Heb 11:5. 41 1 Kings 19:8. 42 Ex 11:10. 39 40
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܒܫ ܳ ܰܪܒܐ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܳ ܡܥ ̇ܗ ܳܐܦ ܰܠ ܳ ܘܥܠܒܐ ܶ ܟܝܢܐ܆ ܬܡܝܗ ܽܣ ܳ ܺ ܘܚܒ ܶܪ ܳ ܥܝܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܟ� ܳ ܘܫ ܳܩ ̇ܗ܀ ܒܩ ̈ܕ ܳܡܝܶܐ ܘ� ܰܒܐ ܳ � ܳܚܪ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ � ܰ ܚ��ܶܐ܆ ̱ ܕܫ ܶ ܰ ܘܦܪܗ ܰ ܣܒܟ ܰܕ ܺ �ܪܘܡܐ ܽ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܒܗ܀ ܫܚܢ ܽܕܟܠ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܶ ܰܕܟܕ ܳܛܒ ܺܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܪ ܽܒܘ ܽܡ ̈ܘ ܳ ܝ� ܐ܆ ܦܣܥ ܰܥܠ ܽܟ ܽ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܶܘܐ� ܒܝܶ ܽܫܘܥ � ܶܐ ܰ ܬܕ ܺܡܝ܀ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܺ ܚܙܝܬܐ ܺܣܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽܩ ܰ �ܟ ܶ ܝܙܕܩ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܡ ܺ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܕܡ ̱ ܚܙܬܶܗ ܳ ܳ ܬܠ ̇ܗ ܰܒ ܺ ܒܗܢܐ � ܳܚܪ ܽܕܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܳ ܡܫܝܚܐ܀ � ܰܕ ܺܡܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܠ ܽ ܚܢܘܟ ܰܙܗܝܐ ܕ� ܛܥܶܡ ܰܡܘܬܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܩܛܝܠ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܪ ܰ ܓܪܓ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܕ ܳܡ ܽܝܘ܀ �ܡܪܗ ܕ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܚܬܝ ܕܢܶ ܽ �ܒܘܟ ܰܨܘܡܐ ܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܺܐܠܝܐ܆ � ܐܬܬ ܰ ܳܶ ܶ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܒܗܘ ܰܕ ܺ ܬܒܩܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܟܕ � ܐܡ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܶ ܬܡܝ̈ ܳܗܬܗ ܽ ܰܒ ܺ ܕܡ ܶ ܘܫܐ � ܳܚܪ ܰܕ ܰܢܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܒܗ܆ ܶ ܽ ܕܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܳܗܝ ܰܕ ܺ �ܨܘܪܬܐ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܪ ܓ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢܶܡܛܐ܀ �ܗܘܢ ܽܫ ܶ ܘܦ� ܐ ܽ ܫܚ ܺ ܽܟ ܽ ܠܦܘܬ ܰܗܘ ܽܫܘܦܪܐ ܺ ܝܡܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ܆ ܶܕ ܐ� ܳ ܒܡ ܶܪܗ � ܳܨ ܶܒܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܕ ܶܡܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ �ܗܘܢ ܺܟ ̈ܐܢܶܐ ܶ ܰܥܠ ܽ�ܨ ܳܘ�ܬܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܣܠܩ ܰܟܕ ܳܣ ܶܠܩ܆ ܘܒ ܺ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܦܫܗ ܶܒܗ ܰܒ ܺ ܛܒܥ ܰܢ ܶ ܐܚܪܢܐ �܀ ܡܝ ܽ ܬܪܘܬܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܰܙ ܺܕ�̈ ܶܩܐ ܳܒ ܶ ܬܪܗ ܰܐ ܺ ܰܠ ܰ ܪܦܝ܆ ܶ ܘ� ܳܣܡ ܺܢܝܫܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܒܗ ܐ � �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ܀
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“Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” 43 Great is the example he set himself and imitated. What need to say anything further about beauty? There is no homily to depict his beauty which is manifold. Who can describe his image in words that do not misrepresent? He resembles his Lord whose image as Son is transcendent. He is alive and yet, as he said, is not living. “For it is Christ alone who lives in me,” 44 he only confessed. This is a wonder beyond all that we have ever wondered; the capacity of our ears cannot contain the magnitude of it. He resembles completely all that is above, while remaining below; he is not in any way like Him, yet lives in Him and speaks. “Christ lives in me, it is not I who is living, 45 he says. “I died in Him who truly died for me.” “The old man in us was crucified with Him;” 46 all lustful impulse expired on the cross. Who is the one who did not live for Himself while alive? But when He died, He died for him. Who can mortify his instincts and his thoughts, if his perception has not been swapped for the perception of Jesus?
1 Cor 11:1. Gal 2:20. 45 Gal 2:20. 46 Rom 6:6. 43 44
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܬܕ ܰܡܘ ܺܒܝ ܰܐܟܡܐ ܶܕ ܐܢܐ ܰܒ ܺ ܶܐ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܠܡ܆ ܰܪܒܐ ܽ ܦܫܗ ܶܘ ܰ ܕܡܘܬܐ ܳܕ�ܪ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܢ ܶ ܐܬܕ ܺܡܝ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܀ ܺ ܳ �ܡܢܐ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܥܠ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪܐ܆ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܒܕ ܰܣ ܺܓܝܐܝܢ܀ ܕ� ܐܝܬ ܺܡܐܡܪܐ ܰܕ ܽܢܨܘܪ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܒܡܠܬܗ ܘ� ܳܣ ܰܪܚ ܶܒܗ܆ ܰܡܢ ܳ� ܐܪ ܶܠܗ ܰܨܠܡܐ ܘܨ ܶ ܳ �ܡ ܶܪܗ ܳܕ ܶܡܐ ܰ �ܡܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ �ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܣ ܰܟܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܽ ܰܶ ܰ ܕܚܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܳܗܢܐ ܰ ܘܠܘ ܽܗܘ ܰܚܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܝܟ ܕܗܘ ܐܡܪ܆ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܶ ܕܚܝ ܺܒܝ ܺ ܶܐ � ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܒ�ܚܘܕ ܡ ܕܬܶܗܪܐ ̱ܗܝ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܳܐܦ ܳܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܳܗܝ ܰܕ ܰ ܬܗ ܰܪܢܢ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܆ ܰ ܘܟܝ� ܶܕ ܐܕܢܐ � ܳ� ܶܪ ܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܕܟܡܐ ܰܪܒܐ܀ �ܚܘܕ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܪܟܐ ܽܗ ܽ �ܓܝܪ ܶܡܕܡܐ ܳܕ ܶܡܐ ܰܒ ܽ �ܗܠ ܶ ܘ�ܘ܆ ܰܠܘ ܳܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܐ � ܽܕܗܘ ܶܒܗ ܰܚܝ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ܀ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܚܝ ܺܒܝ ܰܠܘ ܰܠܡ ܐܢܐ ܰܚܝ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ܆ ܺ ܶ ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܺܡܝܬ ܰܒ ܳ ܒܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܬ ݂ܬ ܺܠܝ ܳܓܝܪ ܰ ܫܪܪܐ܀ ܡ ܰ ܳܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܒܪܢܫܢ ܠܡ ܗܘ ܥܬܝܩܐ ܙܩܝܦ ̱ܗܘܐ ܥܡܗ܆ ܽ ܘܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܰܙ ̈ܘܥܶܐ ܰܕ ܺ �ܓ ܳ ܝܓܬܐ ܺܡܝܬܘ ܰܒ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ܀ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܕ� ܰܚܝ ܰܐܝܢܐ ܰ ܕܠܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܚܝ ܰܟܕ ܰܚܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܶ ܶܐ � ܰ�ܝܢܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܺܡܝܬ ܰܟܕ � ܳܡܐܬ܀ ܚ�ܦ ̱ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܡ ܶܛܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܗܝ ܶ ܰܥܡ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܰܒ ̱ ܢܡܝܬ ܰܙ ̈ܘ ܰܥ ̱ ܘܫܘܬܐ ܶܐ � ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ � ܬ ܶ ܳܘܪ ܽܓ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܶܒܗ܀
B 744
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How did Paul arrive at this situation? He could imitate the perfection of his Friend. Who is able to step outside himself as he had done? “Love drew me out and replaced me with Christ.” O human one, what are you saying about your Apostleship? Your words can’t be understood by mortal ears unless you moderate them! Who can possibly go out from you except your own self ? Or who else but yourself can enter and dwell within you? “Love has removed me and brought Christ to dwell within me.” The indweller is great and He who possesses him is great and excellent. He was not perturbed nor was he aware of anyone but Jesus; He lived in Him and he was doing His will.
CROSS AND PAUL
570
He looked resolutely at the cross and all carnal impulses were extinguished within him. He looked at the cross and could see all of its beauty and therefore he boasts of it alone. “I will not boast of anything except in it.” 47 He became aware of its riches and so he boasted of it. He understands it as the cause of all good things; he possesses nothing as great as it.
47
Gal 6:14.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܡܫܘܚܬܐ ܰܡ ܺܛܝ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܘ ܰ ܳ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܽ ܐܝܟܢܐ ܰܟܝ܆ ܓܡ ܽ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܚܒܪܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܒ ܺ ܝܪܘܬܐ܀ ܫܟܚ ܢܶ ܽܦܘܩ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܡ ܰ ܢܦܩ ܰܗܘ܆ ܦܩܢܝ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܰܘܐܥܶܠ ܳ ܰܐ ܰ ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܰܠ ܺ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܠܡ܀ ܽ ܳܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܝܚܘܬܟ܆ ܐ ̄ܘ ܳܠܟ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܡܘܢ ܐܡܪ ܐܢܬ ܒܫܠ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܐܕ ܶܢܐ ܺܕ ܰ ܫܬ ̈ܡ ܳܥܢ ܶܒ ̈ ܝܠܢ܀ ܰܡ ܰܫܚ ܶܡ ̈ܠܝܟ � ܡ ܰܽ ܳ ܶ ܶܶ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܝܠܗ ܐ � ܐܢ ܐܢܬ܆ ܡܢܘ ܢܦܩ ܡܢܗ ܕ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܝܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܪܢܐ ܕ�ܶ ܽܥܘܠ ܢܥܡܪ ܒܗ ܐܟܘܬܟ܀ ܘܡ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܐܦܩܢܝ ܚܘܒܐ ܘܐܥܠ ܐܥܡܪ ܒܝ ܠܡܫܝܚܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܬܪ ܰܡܢ ܳܕ ܶ ܐܚܕ ܶܠܗ܀ ܰܪܒ ܳܥ ܽܡܘܪܐ ܘܪܒ ܘܡܝ ܶ ܰ � ܶܡ ܺ ܬܬܙܝܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܘ ܳܪ ܶܓܫ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐ � ܒܝܶ ܽܫܘܥ܆ ܘܗܝ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܗ ܰܦܟ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܽܗܘ ܰܚܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܘ ܰܒܨܶ ̈ܒ ܺ ܳ� ܰܢ ̱ܰ ܶ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܳܚܪ ܬ ܳ ܩܢܐܝܬ ܐܟܡܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ̇ܝܗ܆ �ܗܘܢ ܰܙ ̈ܘܥܶܐ ܰܦ ܳ ܽ ܓ� ܳ�ܝܶܐ ܶ ܘܟ ܽ ܕܥܟܘ ܶܡܢ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ܀ �ܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܫ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܽ ܳܚܪ ܰܒ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܫܟܚ ܢܶ ܶ ܘܦܪܗ܆ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܒܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܡܛ�ܗܢܐ ܒܗ ̱ܗܘ ܒ�ܚܘܕ ܡ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܒܗܪ ܐ � ܐܢ ܶܒܗ܆ � ܢܗܘܐ ܠܝ ܠܡ ܕ ܐܫܬ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܒܥ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܪܓܫ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܬܪܗ ܰܐ ܶ ܕܓܘܢ ܒܗ ̱ܗܘ ܡܫܬܒܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܳ ܳ ܶܐ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܕ�ܶ ܰܕܥ ܽܕܗ ܽ ܘ�ܘ ܶܥܠܬܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܛ ̈ܒܬܐ܆ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܟܘܬܶܗ ܐ ܺ ܚܪܢܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ܀ ܘ� ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܕܪܒ ܐ ܳ ̱
B 745
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He looked at the sign of shame and saw in it a myriad of virtues. And this became a (source of) pride each day as he preached. That revelation made him go forth to many countries, but he found no beauty in any of them to match the cross. He penetrated deeply all the treasures of theology and did not find anything to match the beauty of the cross. He studied to perfection all that perfection might imply and stopped here because in the crucifixion everything is made perfect. And because he found all beauty perfected there, he preached nothing but the cross wherever he went. He crucified himself to his love of the cross; and he crucified the world to the cross as well. He said, “The world is crucified to me and I to the world.” 48 What marvellous power to be able to crucify the whole world! What kind of man could carry the whole world hung on the cross? He alone could carry (so heavy) a burden. What strong man can lift this stone aloft but Paul who crucified himself to the world, as he said? He crucified himself to the world and the world to him; by the power of the crucifixion he hoisted up himself and the world.
48
Gal. 6:14.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܳܒܐܬܐ ܰܕܨܥܪܐ ܳܚܪ ܰܘܚܙܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܶܪ ܽܒܘ ܽܫ ܺ ܘܦ�ܝܢ܆ �ܝܘܡ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ �ܫ ܳ ܗܘܬ ݀ ܶܠܗ ܽܟ ܽ ܰܘ ܽ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܒܗܪܐ ݂ܰ ܶ ܰ �ܝܢܐ �ܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ ܰ ܒܗܘ ܶܓ ܳ ܦܣܥ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܐ܆ ܘܫܘܦܪܐ ܐ ܺ ܒܗܘܢ � ܶܐ ܰ ܚܪܢܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܽ ܽ ܫܟܚ܀ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܥܬܗ ܽ ܘܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܰܓܙ̈ ܐ ܳܡܫ ܰܕ ܳܐܠܗܐ܆ ܰܥܠ ܒܝܕ ܘ� ܚܙܐ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܽܥܘܬܪܐ ܳܕܕ ܶܡܐ ܰ �ܗܘ ܰܕ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ܀ ܓܡ ܽ �ܣܟܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܥܕܡܐ ܳ ܬܓ ܺܘܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܶܐ ܰ ܝܪܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܕܒ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܳ ܘܗܪܟܐ ܰܣܝܶܟ ܰ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܶܡܫܬܡ� ܽܟܠ܀ �ܗܘܢ ܽܫ ܶ ܬܓ ܺ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕܚܙܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܶ ܘܦ� ܐ ܶܒܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܡܪܝܢ܆ ܶܐ � ܺܙܩܝܦܐ � ܰܡ ܶ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܟܪ ܳܕ ܶܐܙܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܥܕܡܐ ܰܕ ܰܙܩܦ ܰܢ ܶ ܶ ܪܚܡ ܰܠ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܰ ܦܫܥ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ܆ ܰܘܙ ܶ ܩܦܗ ܳ �ܥܠܡܐ ܶܒܗ ܰܒ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܝܟܢ ܰܕ ܺܐܡܝܪ܀ ܶ ܺܙܩܝܦ ܺܠܝ ܳܥܠܡܐ ܶܘܐܢܐ ܺܙܩܝܦ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܳ �ܥܠܡܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ܆ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܗܪ ܐ ܗܘ ܰܚ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܫܟܕ ܢܶ ܽܙܩܘܦ ܳܥܠܡܐ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ܀ ̱ ܳܐ ̄ܘ ܰ �ܚܕ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܳܥܠܡܐ ܬ� ܰܒ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ܆ ܐܫܟܚ ܢܶ ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ܛܥܢ ܳ �ܚ ܰ �ܗܢܐ ܽ�ܘܩܪܐ ܽܗܘ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܗܝ܀ ܘܕ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰܡܢ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒܪܐ ܳ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܺܪܝܡܬܐ ܶ ܡ� ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢܬ�܆ ܰ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܕܙ ܶ ܩܦܗ ܳ ܶܐ � ܰܦ ܳ �ܥܠܡܐ ܐܟܡܐ ܶܕ ܰܐܡܪ܀ �ܩ ܶ ܘܥܠܡܐ ܽ ܘܩܒܠ ܳ�ܥܠܡܐ ܳ ܦܫܗ ܽܠ ܰ ܰܙܩܦ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܘܒܠܗ܆ ܒܚܝ� ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܳ �ܥܠܡܐ ܬ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܝܦܘܬܐ܀
B 746
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“I am crucified to the world,” 49 he said, “For it is no longer I who live.” 50 These words mean that he died to the world and is alive in God. How do I dare to praise this man? What words of mine could contain the sea of his discourse? In my wonderment I will now desist from praising him; blessed is He who chose him for apostleship, for he is worthy of it.
49 50
Gal 6:14. Gal 2:20.
67 595
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 61
ܺܙܩܝܦ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܳ �ܥܠܡܐ ܳܗܝ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ܶܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܕ� ܰܠܡ ܰܚܝ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܺܡܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܘܚܝ � ܳܠܗܐ܀ �ܥܠܡܐ ܕܡ ̈� ܳܣܟܐ ̱ ܡܪܚ ܰܠ ܰ ܝܟܢ ܰܐ ܰ �ܗܢܐ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܰܐ ܰ ܳ ܡܩ ܳ� ܽܣܘ܆ ܕܫ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܠ ܰ ܕ� ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰ �ܝܡܐ ܰ ܡܣ ܳܝ ܽܟܘ܀ �ܒ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܬ ܰܗܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܐܫ� ܳܡ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܩ ̈ܘ ܳ� ܰܣ ̱ ܓܒܝܗܝ ܰܠ ܺ ܺ ܝܚܘܬܐ ܳ ܫܠ ܽ ܕܫ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܒܪܝܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ̱ ܶ ܫܠܡ.
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HOMILY 62: A SECOND HOMILY ON PAUL THE APOSTLE REASON FOR WRITING A SECOND MIMRO ON ST PAUL THE APOSTLE
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I have not recounted the story of Paul as befits him, nor when I was speaking about him, did I really say anything at all. Yes, I spoke, but I fell silent and said no more. For this reason I want to speak, for my treatment of him was inadequate. What I left unsaid, you will now learn for I am ready to tell of him, if only I can. What I did not express, I am eager to speak about now; you have not yet heard a thing, so listen now to what I say. His story is even greater than the sea and its floods for he conquered the sea when he descended into it, as he related. 1 Shipwrecked he survived in the sea night and day; 2 the strong waves were howling yet he was not overcome. The winds of the sea were dashing against him and he endured, because he disregarded weariness, dishonor and every misfortune. Daily he gloried in all his infirmities 3 and he considered his weakness to be his strength. He declared, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” 4 He showed that he placed no confidence in his bodily limbs. With a sound soul but a sickly body
2 Cor. 11:25–26. 2 Cor. 11:25. 3 2 Cor. 11:21–30. 4 2 Cor. 12:10. 1 2
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܡܐܡܪܐ ܣܒ ܰܕ ܶ ܬܪܝܢ ܕ ܰܥܠ ܰܦܘܠܘܣ ܺ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܰܕ ܺܐܡܝܪ ܥܩܘܒ ܰܡ ܳ � ܰܩ ܺܕܝܫܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ� ܽ �ܦܢܐ. 1
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ܶ ܶ ܰ ܪܒܗ ܰ ܕܦ ܳ �ܫ ܶ ܰ ܘܠܘܣ � ܰܡ ܶ�ܬܗ ܐܝܟ ܰܕܦܐܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܶ ܳ ܳܐܦ� ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܐ ܶ ܝܬ܀ ܡܪ ݂ܬ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰܟܕ ܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܶܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܬܘܒ � ܐ ܰܡܪ܆ ܐܠܘ ܐ ܡܪܬ ܳܫ� ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܺܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗܢܐ ܺ ܪܓܝܙ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐܡܪ ܥܠ ܕܛܠܡܬܗ܀ ܰ ܶ ܕ� ܰܡ ܶ�ܬܗ ܶܡܢ ܳܗܐ ܶܡܟܐ ܳ� ܶܠܦ ܐܢܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܶ ܰܰ ܶ ܕܗܐ ܐ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܳܣ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܐ ̈ܦܝ ܐܢ ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܐܢܐ܀ � ܶܓܝܪ ܶܐ ܶ ܡܪ ݂ܬ ܰ ܘܥ ܳ �ܗܝ ܺܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܦܛ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܫܡܥܬܘܢ ܐ � ܳܗܫܐ ܽܨܘܬܘ ܳܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܐܦ� ܪܒܗ ܳܐܦ ܶܡܢ ܰ�ܡܐ ܶ ܳܪܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܫ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܘܡܢ ܳܡ ܽܡ ̈ܘ ܰܠ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܶܠܗ ܰ �ܝܡܐ ܙܟܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܢܚܬ ܶܠܗ ܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܐܫܬ ܺܥܝ܀ ܺ ܕ� ܰܒ ܺ ܣܦܝܢܬܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܝܠܝ ܐ ܳ ܒܝܡܐ ܰܚ ܶ ܝܡܡ ܰ ܡܣܢ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰܟܕ ܳܢ ܺ ܒܚܝܢ ܶܒܗ ܰܓ ̈�� ܺܙܩ ̈ܝ ܶܦܐ ܘ� ܳܚܐܒ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܡܣ ܰ ܘܚܐ ܰܕ�ܡܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܫ ̈ܩ ܳܦܢ ̱ܗ ܰ ̈ܘܝ ܶܠܗ ܽ� ܶ ܰ ܝܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܘܨܥܪܐ ܽ ܘܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ ܺ ܕܫܝܛܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܶܠܗ ܶ�ܘܬܐ ܰ �ܨ ܶܢܐ܀ ܽ ܽ̈ ܳܶ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܳܗܢܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܒܗܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܝܘܡ ܒܟܠ ܐܘ�ܨ ܢܐ ܡ ܘܠ ܺ ܰ ܟܪ ܽܝܗܘܬܐ ܰܓܢ̱ ܳܒ ܽܪܘܬܐ ܳܡܢܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܫܬ ܶ ܘܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܟܪܝܗ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܚܝܠܬܢܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܡ ܬܟܝܠ ܰ�ܥܠ ܰܗ ܳܕ ̈ܶܡܐ ܶܒ ܳ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܕ� ܺ ܣ� ܳ�ܝܶܐ܀ ܚܠܝܡܬܐ ܰ ܒܢܦܫܐ ܺ ܡܚܝ� ܶܡ ܰ ܰ ܘܦܓܪܐ ܺ ܬ� ܶܙ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆
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he endured the sufferings he faced and did not waver. Despite his frailty all the countries (he visited) were but a trifle to him as he swiftly flew through them preaching the Gospel. Who like him ever gave of the labour of his hands for the Gospel? Night and day he supplied all its costs. 5 He served the Gospel and it received its needs from him, lest for any reason its progress should be halted. What shepherd does not taste the milk of his flock 6 save this one, who was without blemish in his preaching? His is not merely a single virtue that one might talk about; he strove after all the virtues and by his industry acquired them. “I am a prisoner of Jesus 7 and a servant of the Cross; pain, tiredness and nakedness have I learned from Him.” He was persecuted by his own race, 8 those far off 9 and those close at hand; 10 full of love, he went hungry, was thirsty and he fasted. 11
COMMENTARY OF GAL. 6:17 “FOR I CARRY THE MARKS OF JESUS BRANDED ON MY BODY.”
He bore the marks of the Son of God 12 upon his limbs, and all the sufferings of the Crucified were imprinted on him. He was a necklace, rich with wounds as its adornments; in place of gems were inset the sufferings of the Son. He was a royal robe, dyed not in the blood of shellfish
1 Thess.1:9. 1 Cor. 9:7. 7 Eph.3:1; Philem. 1:9. 8 2 Cor.11:24. 9 Acts 24:23, 27. 10 2 Cor. 11:28. 11 2 Cor 11:28. 12 Gal. 6:17. 5 6
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܓܥܝܢ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܗ ܘ� ܶܡ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܳ ܕܦ ܺ ܽܠ ܰ ܬܪ ܶܦܐ܀ ̱ ܰ ܟܪ ܽܝܗܘܬܐ ܽܙܥ ܺ ܰܒ ܺ ܘܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܽܟܠ ܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܢ܆ ܶܽ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܝ�ܺܝܬ ܰܠ ܰ ܡܣ ܳܒ ܽܪܘ܀ ܰܕܢܛܘܣ ܐܢܘܢ ܩܠ ܰܡܢ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܗܢܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܰܠ ܰ ܣܒܪܬܐ܆ ܕܥܡ� ܺܕ ̈ܐܝ ܰܕ ̱ ܰ ܕ� ̈ܝ ܰܠܝ ܺܐ ܳ ܝܡܡ ܽܟܠ ܰܢ ̈ܦ ܳܩܬܐ ܰ ܡܙ ܶܘܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܳܦ ܰܠܚ ܰܥ ܳܡ ̇ܗ ܳ ܘܫܩ� ܶܡܢܶܗ ܡܐ ܳ ܕܚ ܰܫܚ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܶ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܬܒܛܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ܺܪܕܝܬܐ܀ ܕ� ܒܥܠܬܐ ܬ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܪܥܝܐ ܕ� ܛܥܶܡ ܰܚܠܒܐ ܡܢ ܡܪܥܝܬܗ܆ ܦܫܗ ܳ ܶܐ � ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕܨ ܶܠܠ ܰܢ ܶ ܒܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܀ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܝܘܗܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ܆ ܘܗܝ ܽܫܘܦܪܗ ܢܶܫܬ ܶܥ ̱ ܰܠܘ ܰܚܕ ܽܫܘܦܪܐ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ �ܗܘܢ ܽܫ ܶ ܽܟ ܽ ܘܦ� ܐ ܰ ܝܪܘܬܗ܀ ܥܡܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܘܩܢܐ ܒܟܫ ܡܫ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܐ ܺܣ ܶ ܡܫ ܳ ܝܪܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܦܘܬܐ܆ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܡܢܶܗ �ܶ ܰ ܳ ܪܛ ܳܠܝܐ ܶ �ܦ ݂ܬ܀݀ ܥܡ� ܘ�ܝܐ ܘܥ ܰ ܺ ܘܡܢ � ܺܚ ܶ ܝܩܐ ܶ ܘܗܡܗ ܶ ܺܪܕܝܦ ܶܡܢ ܽܛ ܶ ܘܡܢ ܰܩ� ܶ ܝܒܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܰܟܦܢܐ ܶܨܗܝܐ ܐܦ ܰܨ ܳ�ܡܐ ܰܘܡ� ܽܚܘܒܐ܀ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܘܗܝ܆ ܫܩܝܠ ܟܘܬܡܬܗ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡ ̱ �ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܽ ܘܟ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܶܒܗ ܺܨ ܺܝܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܶ ܰܗ ܺ ܡܢܝܟܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܐܝܟ ܽܨ ܳܘ�ܬܐ ܡ� ܰܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܩܒ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܺ ܘ ܝܥܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܗ܀ ܚܠܦ ܛ ̈ܒܥܐ ܰܚ ̈ܫ ̱ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ �ܒܘܫ ܡ�ܟܘܬܐ ܨܒܝܥ ܠܘ ܒܕܡܐ ܕܚ�ܙܘ ܢܐ܆
B 749
72 40
45
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but in the blood of his very own lacerated body. Daily did the flick of the whip impress its mark; the Cross, like beryl, was etched upon his limbs. “I bear the marks of our Lord Jesus upon my body.”13 Who but this man ever displayed such splendours upon himself? He bore the marks which were more glorious than any adornment; because of this there is no beauty like unto his. All the sufferings of the Son he fixed upon himself. I call him ‘robe embroidered with sufferings’. He shone out with the marks he carried upon him; the sun itself does not glow as fair as he. Come! Hear from him, whom this occasion has given to narrate his beauty, what jewels he boasts of to have on his crown: labour and vigil, not to mention blows and wounds, many an imprisonment and death and insults. Five times was he scourged by the Jews, 14 three times was he beaten severely with rods. 15 Again, from his persecutors, a raincloud of stones fell upon him.16 How astounding to hear the accounts of his suffering!
HUMILITY OF PAUL
Each day was a death, as he himself swore; 17
Gal. 6:17. 2 Cor. 11:24. 15 2 Cor. 11:25a. 16 2 Cor. 11:25b. 17 1 Cor. 15:31. 13 14
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܶܐ � ܰܒܕܡܐ ܰ ܓܪܗ ܺܕ ܶ ܕܦ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܶ ܬܒ ܰ ܕܡ ܰ ܣܒܣ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܺ ܰܩ ܶ ܡ� ܐ ܺ ܝܚܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܗ ܢܶ ̈ܓ ܶܕ ܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ ܡܬ ܺ �ܝܘܡ܆ ܬܡܝ̈ ܶܗܐ ܰ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܶܒ ܽܪܘ� ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ܀ ܩܒܝܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡ ̱ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܕܡ ܰܪܢ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܺ ܬܗ ܰܠܡ ܳ ܫܩܝܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܦܓܪ ̱ܝ܆ ܟܘܬܡ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܣܕܪ ܒܗ ܗܠܝܢ ܫܘܦ� ܐ ܐ � ܗܢܐ܀ ܰ ܰ ܬܡܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܫܩܠ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ܳ ܫܒ ̈ܝ ܳܚܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܨ ܳܘ�ܬܐ܆ ܘܦܪܗ ܽܫ ܶ ܒܫ ܶ ܶܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܽ ܘܦ� ܐ � ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܶܡܝܢ܀ ܰ ܰ ܩܢ ܶ ܩܒܥ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܰ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܶܣܕܪܐ ܘܡܗ܆ ܕܚ ̈ܫ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܕܚ ̈ܫܐ ܶܒܗ ܺܨ ܺܝܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܘܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܢܚܬܐ ܶ ܫܩܠ ܰ ܬܡܬܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܶܡܢ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܐ ܰܙܕ ܺܗܝ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܥ� ̱ ܶ ܰ ܳܕ ܐܦ� ܶܫܡܫܐ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܐܝܟ ܰܕܦܐܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܰ ݀ ܬܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܫܡܥ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰܕܩ ܳܪ ݂ܬ ܶܥܠܬܐ ܕܢܶܬܢܶܐ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ܰ ܒܗܪ ܗܘܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܰܒ ܺ ܟܠ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܝܠܗ܀ ܶ ܰܒܐܠܝܢ ܛ ̈ܒܥܐ ܶܡܫܬ ܰ ܳ ̱ ܘܫܗܪܐ ܰܥܡ ܰܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬܐ ܐܦ ܽܟ ܳ �ܘܬܐ ܰ ܘ�ܗܢܶܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܘ� ܐ ܰ ܘܡ ̈ܘܬ ܐ ܰܙ ̈ܒ ܳܢܬܐ ܰܠܡ ܰܣ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܬܐ܀ ܐ̱ܣ ܶܡܢ ܽ� ̱ܗ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ ܰܚ ܶܡܫ ܰܙ ̈ܒ ܺܢܝܢ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܢ ܰܓܕ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܛܐ ܰ ܒܠܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐܝܬ܀ ܬܠܬ ܰܙ ̈ܒ ܳܢܬܐ ܒܫܒ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܺ ̈ܶ ܽ ܰ ܐܦܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܢܶܚܬ ݂ܬ ݀ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀܆ ܘܬܘܒ ܒ�ܕܘܦܝܐ ܥܢܢܐ ܕܟ ܥ� ̱ܶ ܶ ܰ ܘܚܕ ܰܚܕ ܰܚ ܶܫܗ ܰܟܕ ܢܶܬܢܶܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܬܗܪܐ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܶ ܰ ܳܗܢܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ �ܝܘܡ ܽܗܘ ܳܡܐܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܝܟ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܰ�ܡܐ܆
B 750
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he carried the Cross and preached it all day long. He grew rich with visions and revelations; he understood the mysteries of creation better than Moses. He was caught up to the third heaven 18 and passing beyond, saw Paradise, as he told us. 19 He heard the sublime voice of God that the mouth is neither allowed nor able to express. In his humility he did not disclose anything of what he saw, so that he might not boast while recounting his revelations. Fourteen years 20 he kept secret this mystery, till need arose and only then did he tell it, as a means to an end. Who can match this man in humility, who did not glory in his revelations, marvelous as they were? He gazed at the humility of Jesus and humbled himself. No love of glory blustered wherever he was found. From the Crucifixion’s pigments he purloined his colours and portrayed himself after the likeness of the Son of God. The more he was raised up to the mysteries of the Son, the more he lowered and humbled himself, that he might arrive at the beauty of the humility of the Son. He addressed all his disciples with no other title than “my brothers”
2 Cor. 12:2. 2 Cor. 12:4. 20 2 Cor. 12:2. 18 19
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܺ ܘܟ ܶܠܗ ܰ�ܘܡܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܶ ܛܥܝܢ ܗܘܐ ܽ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܥܬܪ ܰܘ ܶ ܒܚܙ̈ ܳܘ ܶܢܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܒܓ ̈� ܳ�ܢܶܐ܆ ܗܢܐ ܕ ܳܶ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܘܩܡ ܥܠ ܐ̱� ܙ ܐ ܕܒܪܘ�ܘܬܐ ܛܒ ܡܢ ܡܘܫܐ܀ ܫܡܝܐ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ܳܗܢ ܶܕ ܰ ܥܕܡܐ ܰ ܐܬܥ ܺܠܝ ܰ ܬܠܬܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܘܟܕ ܳܥ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܚܙܐ ܰܦ ܰܪܕܝܣܐ ܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܰܠܢ܀ ܶ ܰ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܆ ܫܡܥ ܰܡܡ�� ܳܪܡܐ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܝܘܗܝ ܳܐܦ� ܰܫ ܺܠܝܛ ܳܐܦ� ܶܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ܀ ܕܦܘܡܐ ܢܡܠ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܝܟܘܬܗ܆ ܳܗܢܐ ܕ� ܓ� ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕܚܙܐ ܒܡܟ ܶ ܰ ܒܗܪ ܰܟܕ ܳܬ ܶ�ܐ ܗܘܐ ܰܥܠ ܶ ̈ ܫܬ ܰ ܘܗܝ܀ ܕ� ܢ �ܓ� ܳ� ܰܢ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰܐ ܰ ܰ ܪܒܥܣܪܐ ܫܢܝܢ ܢܛܪܗ �� ܪܙܐ ܕ� ܢܬܡܠܠ܆ ܘܟܢ ܰܐ ܶ ܪ� ݂ܬ ݀ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܽܦܘܪܣܐ ܶ ܥܕܡܐ ܶ ܕܥ ܰ ܰ ܡܪܗ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܶ ܒܡ ܺܟ ܽ ܝܟܘܬܐ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܡܛܐ ܳ ܰ �ܗܢܐ ܰܓܒܪܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܕ ܶ ̈ ܫܬ ܰ ܒܗܪ ܰܟܕ ܬܗܪܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܘܗܝ � ܢ ܒܓ� ܳ� ܰܢ ܶ ̱ ܒܡ ܺܟ ܽ ܝܟܘܬܗ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܳܚܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܰ ܐܬܡ ܰܟܟ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ݀ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܪ ܰ ܚܡ ݂ ݀ ܘܗܝ܀ ܬ ܽܫܘܒܚܐ � ܳܢܫܒܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ܐܝܟܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܓܢܒ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܣ ̈ܡ ܳܡܢܶܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܰܓ ̈ܘ ܶܢܐ ܰ ܝܦܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܩܢ ܶ ܘ�ܪ ܰܠ ܽ ܳ ܕܒܪ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܘܡܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܗܘ ܰܚܘܪܐ ܶ ܟܡܐ ܶܕ ܰ ܢܚܬ ܐ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܶ ܬܡ ܰܟܟ܆ ܐܬܥ ܺܠܝ �� ܳ� ܰܙ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܟܘܬܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܢܶܡܛܐ܀ �ܗܘ ܽܫܘܦܪܐ ܕܡܟ ܶ ܰ ܶܐ � ܰܐ ܰ̈ܚܝ � ܳܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܗܘܐ ܽ ܐܬܬ ܰ �ܡܕ܆ �ܟܠ ܕ ̱
B 751
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because he only considered spiritual birth as genuine. He disregarded the lineage in which he was born according to the flesh, and pictured before himself that second birth, which is of the Spirit. He did not regard Eve, but Baptism, and he did not know who Adam was, but who Jesus was. Therefore everyone who became his disciples he called “my brother,” so that they might not remember the former state beyond which he had passed.
COMMENTARY OF GAL.6:17 “FOR I DECIDED TO KNOW NOTHING AMONG YOU EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED.” 90
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Who, like this man, while being wise, well-informed and educated, could say that he did not believe in anything but the Crucified. 21 “The Arameans 22 seek wisdom, but I will not preach anything but Christ who was crucified 23 and slain.” While being the equal of the Arameans in wisdom, he confined his theme to the simplicity of Jesus. He limited his words to the scorn of the Cross, without introducing clever artifice into his preaching. He came to understand the great power of the Crucified; he grasped that everyone would be subject to this Name. He saw that the Cross is the leaven in which there is life and he kneaded it into the dough of his apostleship. With this message he lifted up his voice among the Nations,
1 Cor. 2:2. Aramean is a synonym for pagan. But in the New Testament it is translated as the Greeks. 23 1 Cor. 1:23. 21 22
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܕܫ ܺܪܝܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܗܘ ܰܡ ܳ ܘܠܕܐ ܽܪ ܳ ܰ ܘܚ ܳܢܝܐ܀ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳܳܺ ܳ ܛܥܝ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܛܘܗܡܗ ܕܝܠܝܕ ܡܢܗ ܒܣܪ ܢܐܝܬ܆ ܽ ܘܕܡܘܗܝ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܬܪܝܢ܀ ܘ� ܠܕܐ ܕܪܘܚܐ ܳ�ܪ ̱ ܶܗܘܐ ܩ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܒܡ ܽ ܥܡ ܺ ܒܚܘܐ ܐ � ܰ � ܳܚܐܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܘܕܝܬܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܘ� ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܐ ܳܕܡ ܐ � �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ܀ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܽ ܶܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܡܕ ܐܚܝ ܳܩ ܶܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܟܠ ܕ ܐܬܬ ܕܟܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܕ� ܰܢ ܰ ܥܒܪ ܶ �ܩ ̈ܕ ܳܡ ܳܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܰ �ܗܝܢ܀ ܰܡܢ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕܟܕ ܰܚ ܺܟܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܪܕ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܕ ܰܪܫ܆ ܐܡܪ ܶܕ ܐ� ܺܙܩܝܦܐ � ܰܡ ܶ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܺܢ ܰ ܘܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܰܐ ܳ �ܡ ܶܝܐ ܰܠܡ ܶܚܟܡܬܐ ܳܒ ܺܥܝܢ ܶܘܐܢܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ܆ ܰ ܺ ܩܛܝܠ � ܰܡ ܶ ܶܐ � ܺ ܟܪܙ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩܝܦ ܘ ܒܚ ܺܟ ܽ ܰܟܕ ܳܦ ܶܚܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܐܦ ܰ� ܳ �ܡܝܶܐ ܰ ܝܡܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܣܪܗ ܽ ܝܛܘܬܶܗ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܐ ܶ �ܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܫ ܶ ܪܒܗ܀ ܒܦܫ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܽ ̈ ܺ ܘܗܝ܆ ܰܥܠ ܺܫܝܛܘܬ ̇ܗ ܽ ܰܕܙܩܝܦܘܬܐ ܣܝܟ ܡ� ̱ ܘܡ ܽܢܘܬܐ ܳ ܕ� ܰ�ܥܶܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐ ܳ �ܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܀ ܝܠ ̇ܗ ܰܪܒܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ �ܚ ܳ ܰ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܡܛܐ ܕܢܶ ܽܓܘܫ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܕܪܟ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܳ ܫܬ ܰ ܥܒܕ܀ �ܗܢܐ ܫܡܐ ܽܟܠ ܡ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܠ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܳ ܚܡܝܪܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܶܒܗ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܰ ܝܫ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܶ ܪܡܝ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܐ ܺ �ܚ ܰ ܒܠ ܳ ܫܠ ܽ ܘܠܗ ܰܒ ܽ ܝܚܘܬܐ܀ ܘܕ ̱ ܳ ܒܗܢܐ ܰܫܪܒܐ ܳܪܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܩ ܶܠܗ ܰܒ ܳܝܢܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ܆
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as he preached nothing other than “The Cross! The Cross!” Here he concentrated all the power of his proclamation because he knew that all wisdom was herein contained. He said, “I will not display any wonders among the Jews, nor have I wisdom to speak among the Arameans. I preach unto them Christ crucified, 24 a stumbling block and a scandal, 25 because He is the end of all wisdom and wonders.” The Cross became a teacher to Paul and he learnt from it, to forget his education and become simple by faith. He was taught to retrace his steps and forget everything he had learned; it (the Cross) bid him to become unlettered, and then to be received. This is the schooling of the Cross: sheer simplicity! Whoever is wise, let him forget (his wisdom), then he will learn. Therefore Paul rejected worldly instruction, to be enlightened by simplicity. He learned to speak only of Christ crucified, for He is the totality of true teaching. Wherever it be found, truth is wiser than all things; even an uneducated person, when speaking it, is as clear as the sun. When Paul preached, he was scrupulous concerning the truth
24 25
1 Cor. 1:22–23. Rom. 9:33.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܽ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܘܬܘܒ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ �܀ ܶ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܰܣܝܶܟ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܚܝ� ܳܕܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܗ܆ ܰ ܰܒ ܳ ܕܝ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܕܗܪܟܐ ܐ̱ ܺܣ ܳܝ�ܢ ܽܟܠ ܶܚ ̈ܟ ܳܡܬܐ܀ � ܳܐ ܳ ̈ ܬܘܬܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܽ� ̱ܗ ̈ܘ ܳܕ ܶ�ܐ ܰ ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠܡ܆ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ �ܡ ܶܝܐ ܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܐ ܰܡܪ܀ ܘ� ܶܚ ̈ܟ ܳܡܬܐ ܒܝܬ ܐ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩܝܦ ܰܡ ܶ �ܗܘܢ ܽܬܘܩܠܬܐ ܶ ܟܪܙ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܽ ܺ ܘܟܫ�܆ ܘ�ܘ ܳܣܟܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܶܚ ̈ܟ ܳܡܬܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܽܕܗ ܽ ܬܡܝ̈ ܳܗܬܐ܀ ܺܙܩܝܦܐ ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܳܣܦܪܐ ܰ ܘܠܘܣ ܺܘ ܶ ܠܦ ܳ ܝܠܦ ܶܡܢܶܗ܆ ܦܫܝܛܐ ܳ ܕܢܶܛܥܶܐ ܶܣܦܪܐ ܘܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܺ ܒܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܀ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܗܦܘܟ ܢܶܛܥܶܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܦ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܰܪܫ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܗܘܐ ܶܗ ܽܕ�ܘܛ ܶ ܘܟܢ ܶܡ ܰ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܬܒܥܶܗ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܬܩ ܰܒܠ܀ ܽ ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܶܣܦܪܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܶܗ ܽܕ�ܘܛܘܬܐ܆ ܕܚ ܺܟܝܡ ܺܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܢܶܛܥܶܐ ܶ ܰܕ ܐܝܢܐ ܰ ܘܟܢ ܳ� ܶܠܦ ܶܠܗ܀ �ܗܘ ܽܕ ܳܘܪܫܐ ܳܥ ܳ ܶܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܰ �ܡ ܳܢܝܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܰܺ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܰܐ ܺ ܣܠܝ ܰܦ ܳ ܦܫܝܛܘܬܐ܀ ܘܠܘܣ ܕܢܗܘܐ ܢܗܝܪ ܒ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩܝܦ ܺ� ܶܠܦ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܺܢ ܰ ܺ ܐܡܪ ܰܒ ܽ �ܚܘܕ܆ ܕܗܘ ܽ� ܳ ܳܕܗ ܰܢܘ ܳܣ ܶܟܗ ܰ ܘܠܦܢܐ ܰ ܕܫ ܺܪ ܳܝ�ܬܐ܀ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ �ܡ ܶܕܡ ܐ ܫܪܪܐ ܰܚ ܺܟܝܡ ܡܢ ܟ ܝܟܐ ܰ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܶܗ ܽܕ�ܘܛܐ ܰܟܕ ܬ ܶ�ܐ ܶܠܗ ܓ� ܐܝܟ ܶܫܡܫܐ܀ ܟܪܙ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܢ ܶ ܫܪܪܐ ܺ�ܨܶܦ ܰܦ ܳ ܳ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ܆
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and so he never said pretentious things to make himself appear wise. He was a vision full of wonder to all who looked upon him: men and angels alike were in awe of him.
COMMENTARY OF I COR.4:9 “…WE HAVE BECOME A SPECTACLE TO THE PEOPLE AND TO ANGELS.”
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“We have become a spectacle to people and to angels”: 26 he became for the whole world a show that it beheld with wonder. Though his body was bound, his word made speed throughout the lands. Though he was cast into chains, his writings stirred up the earth. His hands were shackled, yet his voice was very rich in proclamation; they beat him yet he bore it, as he said. They cursed him, but he blessed them with kindness; they persecuted him and he entreated them, and he will tell you. 27 In one place he suffered dishonor and he did not murmur; in another, they honored him and he would not accept it. In one place they honored him with a bull as though he were a god; 28 in another, they dragged him ruthlessly to the ground as though he were a dog. 29 On one occasion they called him Hermes and he reprimanded them; 30 on another, they considered him insane and he accepted them. 31 He was considered to be both misleading and true; he was poor, yet made many rich. 32 Look at him one moment plying his trade at tent-making, 1 Cor. 4:9. 1 Cor. 4:11–13. 28 Acts 14:13. 29 Acts 14:19. 30 Acts 14:12. 31 Acts 26:24. 32 1 Cor. 6:8, 10. 26 27
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܺ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗܢܐ � ܶܐ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܟܡ ܰܒܫܐ ̈� ܳܠܬܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕܡ� ܬܗܪܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܕܚܐܪ ܶܒܗ܆ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܰܡ ܰ� ̈ܶܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܶܐ ܰ ܬܕ ܰܡܪܘ ܶܒܗ܀ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ �ܟܐ܆ ܗܘܝܢ ܰܠܡ ܬܐܛܪܘܢ ܠܒ��ܢܫܐ ܘ�ܡ ܰ �ܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܺ ܥܒܝܕ ܗܘܐ ܽ ܳ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܘܬ ܺܗܝܪܐ ܶܒܗ܀ ܚܙܬܐ ܺ ̱ ܶ ܰܐ ܺܣܝܪ ܗܘܐ ܰܦ ܶ ܓܪܗ ܳܘܪܗܛܐ ܶܡܠܬܗ ܰܒܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܆ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܺ̈ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܺ ܪܡܐ ܒܫܫܠܬܐ ܘܟܬ�ܒܬܗ ܫܓܫ ̇ܗ �ܪܥܐ܀ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܬܝܪ ܳܩ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܒܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܆ ܘܗܝ ܘܥ ܦܟܝ�ܢ ܐ ̈ܝ ܰܕ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܡܣ ܰ ܦܚܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܩ ܺ ܝܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܝܟ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܐ ܰܡܪ܀ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܝܛܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܡܘܬܗ܆ ܡܒ ܶܪܟ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܒܣ ܠ ܳܪ ܺ ܢܗܘܢ ܽ ܘܒܥܶܐ ܶܡ ܽ ܕܦܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܘܗܘ ܺܢ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܠܟ܀ ܰܶ ܰ ܡܪ�ܢ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܰܒܚܕܐ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ܶܡ�ܛ ܰܥܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘ� ܡܝ ܺ ܒܕܘܟܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܩܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܘ� ܰ ܚܪܬܐ ܰ ܽ ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܕܬܘܪܐ ܰ� ܽ ܘܗܝ ܐܝܟ � ܳܠܗܐ܆ ܩܪ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܝܟܐ ̱ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ ܺܘܐܝܬ ܽܬܘܒ ܰܐܝܟܐ ܶ �ܟܠܒܐ܀ ܕܡ ܰܓܪ ܰܓܪ ̱ ܰܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܰܗ ܺ ܒܣܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܪܡܝܣ ܘ ܩܪ ܐ ܰܒܚܕܐ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ̱ ܶ ܒܕܘܟܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܳܫܢܝܐ ܰ ܚܪܬܐ ܰܚ ܽ ܽ ܘܩ ܶܒܠ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܫܒ ̱ ̱ ܛܥܝܢܐ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰܫ ܺܪܝܪܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܡ ܳ ܬܩ ܰܒܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶܡ ܺ �ܣ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ ܽܗܘ ܰܡܥܬܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܣܟܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘ ܒܚܕ ܶ� ܳܕܢܐ ܽܚܘܪ ܶܒܗ ܳ ܕܦ ܰܠܚ ܰܠ ܳ ܰ ܘ� ܽܪܘܬܐ܆
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and the next, performing mighty works and miracles; in one place shut up in prison as a murderer; in another, restoring life to a youth after a fall. 33 If it is fetters you seek, they were put upon him; if remedies for the afflicted, they are found in him. On one occasion, for convenience sake, he (said he) was a Roman; 34 and again, when it was necessary, he disclosed to the council that he was a Pharisee. 35 His ‘lying’ was full of truth and he was not lying; by means fair and fowl he devised ways to increase the Gospel. Go to the city wall and see him being let down in a basket; 36 then look to heaven, as he goes up in a revelation. Listen as he threatens to take up the rod when necessary; 37 then come and see as they stone him, and he is not furious. 38 In one place he called himself “the scum of the world”; 39 in another, an “Israelite” and “a son of Abraham”. 40 He proceeded in succession upon both greatness and littleness. While being great he humbled himself like his Master. Yes, for sure, he was a wondrous spectacle full of visions and both angels and men stood astonished at him. They saw him full of anger persecuting Jesus;
Acts 20:9–12. Cf. Chapter 16 and 22 of the Acts of the Apostles. 35 Acts 23:6. 36 Acts 9:25. 37 1 Cor. 4:21. 38 Acts 14:19. 39 1 Cor. 4:13. 40 Rom. 11:1; 2 Cor. 11:22. 33 34
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܳ ܰ ܕܣ ܰܥܪ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܶ� ܰܘ ܺ ܬܪ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܳ ܬܡܝ̈ ܳܗܬܐ܀ ܘܒ ܶ ܰܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܽ ܰܒܚܕܐ ܕܘܟܬܐ ܚܒܝܫ ܒܝܬ ܐ̱ܣܝ� ܐ ܐܝܟ ܩܛܘ�܆ ܒܕܘܟܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܪܬܐ ܰܡ ܶܚܐ ܰ ܽ ܥܠܝܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ܽܦܘܠܬܐ܀ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܡܝܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܆ ܐܢ ܺܫ ̈ܫ ܳܠܬܐ ܢܶܒܥܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐ̱ܢܫ ܒܗ � �ܡܢܶܐ ܰ� ̈ܡ ܰܡ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ܶܒܗ ܺ ܶܘܐܢ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܳ ܫܟ ܺ ܝܚܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܰܒܚܕܐ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܽܦܘܪܣܐ ܽܪ ܳ ܗܘܡܝܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܽ ܒܟܢܫܐ ܰܕ ܺ �� ݂ܬ ݀ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܶ ܦܪ ܳ ܘܬܘܒ ܰܟܕ ܰܐ ܰ ܝܫ ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܳ ܫܪܪܐ ܰܡܠܝܐ ܰܕ ܳܓ ܽ�ܘܬܶܗ ܘ� ܰ ܡܕ ܶܓܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܰܕ ܽ ܣܓܐ ܰ ܒܟܠ�ܥܶ ̈ܠܳܢ ܰܢ ܶ ܬܦ ܰܪܣ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܚܙܝܘܗܝ ܰܒ ܺ ܣܪܝܓܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܢ ܶܚܬ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܙܶܠ ܶ�ܨܝܕ ܽܫܘܪܐ ܺ ̱ �ܝܢܐ ܽܚܘܪ ܰܠ ܰ ܒܓ ܳ ܰܘ ܶ ܫܡܝܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܣ ܶܠܩ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܫܡܥ ܰܟܕ ܳܓ ܶܙܡ ܢܶ ܰ ܰ ܛܥܢ ܽܚܘܛܪܐ ܰܐܝܟܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܐ�� ݂ܬ݀܆ ܚܙܝ ܰܟܕ ܳܪ ܺ ܘܬܐ ܽܬܘܒ ܰܘ ܺ ܓܡܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܘ� ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܡܬ܀ ܰܒܚܕܐ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ܳ ܢܦܬܐ ܳ ܕܥܠܡܐ ܩܪܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ܆ ܒܕܘܟܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܘܒܪ ܰܐ ܳ ܚܪܬܐ ܺ� ܰܣ ܳ ܪܠܝܐ ܰ ܽ ܒܪ ܳܗܡ܀ ̱ ܰܥܠ ܰܪ ܽܒܘܬܐ ܰܘ ܽܙܥ ܽ ܘܪܘܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬ� ܰܒܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܳ �ܡ ܶܪܗ ܳܕ ܶܡܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܶܟܟ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܰܟܕ ܰܪܒܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܶ ܰ ܺܐܝܢ ܰܒ ܳ ܫܪܪܐ ܬ ܐܛܪܘܢ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܕܡܠܝܐ ܶܚ ̈ܙ ܶܘܐ܆ ܳ ܘܬ ܺ ܡܗܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܗ ܳܐܦ ܰܡ ܰ� ̈ܶܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ܀ ܶ ܰܽ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܡ� ܶܚܡܬܐ ܳܘܪ ܶܕܦ ܳܒܬܪ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ܆ ܚܙ ܐ ̱
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they looked again and beheld him persecuted in every place for His sake. Some days earlier he stoned the proto-martyr in his zeal;41 a few days later he too is stoned, and he put up with it. He was as wily as a serpent when it came to disputation but as innocent as a dove in the teaching of the Cross. 42 Where he wanted, he outwitted philosophers in debate; and where he preferred (he said), “We are fools for Christ.” 43 All his life he was lifted up by sufferings and was revived by beatings as by appetizing foods. Nothing gladdened him so much as sufferings: “I rejoice in the sufferings I have borne for you.”44 Who like him ever rejoiced in his own sufferings as he rejoiced? I am amazed by him; I am unable to tell his story. “I rejoice in these sufferings for your sake.” 45 Explain this to us so we can see why you rejoice!
COMMENTARY OF COL. I:24 “I AM FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN ALL THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST IN BODY FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY.”
“I am filling up what is lacking in all the sufferings of Christ in my body for the sake of the Church which is His body. 46 Look! In the place of Jesus I am ready to receive with joy every suffering for the Church’s sake. He is in heaven and does not die or suffer;
Acts 7:58–8:1. Mt. 10:16. 43 1 Cor. 4:10. 44 Col. 1:23. 45 Col. 1:24. 46 Ibid. 41 42
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܝܪܝܢ ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܺܪܕܝܦ ܳ ܰ ܗܦܟܘ ܳܚ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܰܒܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܀ ܚ�ܦ ̱ ܩܕܡ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡܬܐ ܺ ܪܓܡ ܰܒ ܳ �ܪܫܐ ܳ ܳ ܕܣ ̈ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ܛ�ܢܶܗ܆ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܰ ܬܪ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܳܘܐܦ ܶܠܗ ܰܪ ܽ ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܓܡ ܘܒ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܐܢ ܐܬܬܪܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܪܫܐ �ܩܘܒܠܗ ܥܪܝܡ ܐܝܟ ܚܘܝܐ܆ ܺ ܰ ܘܠܦܢܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܒܝ ܳ ܰܘ ܽ ܦܫܝܛ ܐܝܟ ܰ�ܘܢܐ܀ ܝܦܘܬܐ ܰܐܝܟܐ ܰܕܒܥܐ ܺ ܠܦ ܳܝ ܽܣ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܙܟܐ ܰܒ ܳܕܪܫܐ܆ ܚܢܢ ܰܒ ܺ ܰܘܐܝܟܐ ܰܕܨܒܐ ܳܫ ܰܛ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܠܡ܀ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܺܙܩ ܺ ܝܦܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܽܟ ܽ ܽܠ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ �ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ̱ ܒܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܒ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܛ� ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܒ ܰܣܡ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܶ ܶ � ܶܡ ܰ ܝܘܗܝ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܐ � ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ܆ ܫܟܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܢܚ ܶܕ ̱ ܕܣ ܶ ܒܠ ݂ܬ ܰܥܠ ܰܐ ܰ ̈ܦ ܽ ܒܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܶ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܰ ܝܟܘܢ܀ ܚܕܝ ܽܒ ̈ ܐܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܺ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܺ ܚܕܝ ܽܗܘ܆ �ܨ ܰܢ ̱ ܪܒܗ � ܶܡ ܰ ܬܶ ܶ ܐܡܪ ܰܫ ܶ ܡܗ ݂ܬ ܺܠܝ ܶܒܗ ܺܘ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܕܥܠ ܰܐ ܰ ̈ܦ ܽ ܒܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܳ ܝܟܘܢ܆ ܰ ܚܙ ܐ ܽ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܡܢܐ ܰܦ ܶܫܩ ܢܶ ܶ �ܡܘܢ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐܢܬ܀ ܡܡ ܶ� ܐܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܽ ܝܪܘܬܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ܆ �ܨ ܰܢ ̱ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܶ ̇ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܐܝܬܘܗܝ ܰܦ ܶ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܶ ܰܕ ܺ ܓܪܗ܀ ܒܒܣܪܝ ܚ�ܦܝܗ ܕܥܕܬܐ ܕ ̱ ܶ ܘܟܬ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܗܐ ܳܩܐܡ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܒܕ ܰ ܽ ܡܩ ܳܒ ܽ�ܘ܆ ܝܗ ܺ �ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܳ ܽܟ ܽ ܚ� ܶܦ ̇ ܕܥܕܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽܗܘ ܰܒ ܰ ܫܡ ܰܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܐܦ� ܳܡܐܬ ܐܦ� ܳܚܐܫ܆
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I fill up His place that I might be struck by the persecutors. He who seeks to strike Jesus, let him come and strike me; whoever is roused in anger against Him, let him assuage his anger on me. If there is someone who threatens Him, behold here I stand: let him heap all possible sufferings upon me; I accept them. If there is any suffering that Jesus did not endure for His Church, I will fill up whatever is lacking in all His sufferings. I am ready and happy to undergo all manner of sufferings, for the sake of His body, which is His Church. If the crucifiers still harbor any murderous malice, let it melt away in me as I endure every suffering. If any bitterness of the priests continues to fester, let it be emptied out on me, that the lack in the sufferings of the Son may be fulfilled in me. If out of jealousy an arrow is drawn against the Church, let it not strike her, but pierce my flesh as I take delight. If fury is stirred up against her (the Church) by judges, I will enter (the courtroom) and have all the punishments meted out upon me. If the rulers of the world threaten her with their power, I will stand to endure the pain that she may not be hurt. If the anger of kings is stirred up against her who is pure,
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܒܠܥ ܶܡܢ ܳ� ܽܕ ܶ ܘܟܬܗ ܶܐ ܰ ܘܦܐ܀ ܡܡ� ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܐܝܢܐ ܳ ܡܚܐ ܶ �ܝ ܽܫܘܥ ܺܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܕܒܥܶܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܡܚܝܢܝ܆ �ܩ ܶ ܛܢܢܐ ܽ ܘܡܢ ܶܕ ܺ ܐܬܬܥܝܪ ܶܒܗ ܳ ܰ ܘܒܠܗ ܺܢܢܝܚ ܺܒܝ ܽܪ ܶ ܘܓܙܗ܀ ܶ �ܚܝܡ ܰ ܶܐ ܽܢܗܘ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܰܕ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܗܐ ܳܩܐܡ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܥ� ̱ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܝܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܽܟ ܽ ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ �ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܥܠܝ ܢ ܶ ܽ ܶܐܢ ܺܐܝܬ ܰܚܫܐ ܕ� ܰ ܣܒܠ �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܶܡܛܠ ܺ�ܥܕܬܗ܆ ܶ ܡܡ ܶ� ܐܢܐ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܽ ܝܪܘܬܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ܀ �ܨ ܰܢ ̱ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܡܛ ܰܝܒ ܐܢܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐܢܐ ܽ ܒܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ܆ ܗܐ ̱ ̱ ܶ ܽܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܕ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܺܥܕܬܗ ܐ ܽ ܣܒܘܠ ܐܢܘܢ܀ ܚܠܦ ܦ ܰܓܪܗ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ̱ ܶܐܢ ܰܩ ܳܝܡܐ ܐܟܬܐ ܶ ܕܩܛ� ܶܨܝܕ ܳܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ܆ ܺܒܝ ܬܶ ܰ ܬܦ ܰܫܪ ܰܟܕ ܳܣ ܶܒܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܽܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ �ܨ ܺܢܝܢ܀ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶܐ � ܶܕ ܰ ܥܟ ݂ ݀ ܥܠܝ ܬܣܬ ܰܦܩ܆ ܬ ܶܡܪܬܐ ܕܟܗܢܐ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܽ ܝܪܘܬܐ ܬܡ�܀ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܒܝ ܬ ܕܚ ̈ܫ ̱ ܺ ܶܐܢ ܺܐܝܬ ܶܓܐܪܐ ܽ ܡܬܝܚ ܰܒ ܳ ܕܠ ܰ ܛܢܢܐ܆ ܘܩܒܠ ܺ�ܥܕܬܐ ܶ ܰ ܘܠ ̇ܗ � ܢܶ ܶ ܫܬ ܰܦܕ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܳ ܶ ܛܪ ܐ܀ ܒܒܣܪܝ ܢ ܶ ܬܬܥܝܪܐ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܽ �ܩ ܳ ܶܐܢ ܶܡ ܺ ܘܒܠ ̇ܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ܆ ܶܐܢܐ ܳܥܐܶܠ ܐܢܐ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܢܶ ̈ܓ ܶܕ ܐ ܰ ܘܟ ܽ ܬܢ ܽ ܥܠܝ ܢܶ ܰ ܦܨܘܢ܀ ̱ ̱ܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܽ ܐܢ ܳܓܙܡܝܢ ܠ ̇ܗ � ܶܫܐ ܕܥܠܡܐ ܒ ̈ ܐܘܚ ܳܕ ܰܢܝܗܘܢ܆ ܰ ܣܒܘܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܺ ܶܐܢܐ ܶܐ ܽܩܘܡ ܶܐ ܽ ܘܗܝ � ܬ ܰܗܪ܀ ܕܡ ̈� ܶܟܐ ܶ ܕܡ ܺ ܶܐ ܽܢܗܘ ܶ ܬܬܥܝܪ ܽܪܘܓܙܐ ܰ ܥܠ ̇ ܝܗ ܰܕ ܺܕܟܝܬܐ܆
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then let all fury on her account be poured upon me. I will fulfill in my flesh what is lacking in all sufferings, that the Church of the Son be preserved from all harm. Of all earthly people, who has ever loved Christ like him? Who can attain this measure, which is immeasurable? Who has ever consented to endure such suffering for so many, except he that took it upon him gladly? On whom was such boldness ever bestowed, to fulfill what is lacking in the sufferings of the Son, though He lacks nothing? “I rejoice in these sufferings which are for you, and I fulfill what is lacking in the sufferings of the Son.” 47 He desired to receive in his body all the blows that were aimed on every side against the Church. When the envy of rulers was barking at the Church, he assented that it should bite him so that she might remain unhurt. All the waves that rose menacingly against the Church, he was happy and prepared to have them strike him. He perceived the beauty of the sufferings of the Cross, and so he greatly rejoiced in every suffering. He taught the Church who He is, and whose Son it is who died for her,
47
Ibid.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܕܡܛ ܳܠܬ ̇ܗ܀ ܥܠܝ ܬܣܬ ܰܦܩ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܒܒܣܪܝ ܶܐ ܰܡ ܶ� ܰܚ ܺܣ ܽ ܶ ܝܪܘܬܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܽܐ ̈ܘ ܳ �ܨ ܺܢܝܢ܆ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܗܘܐ ܢܛܝܪܐ ܶܡܢ ܢܶ ̈ܟ ܳ�ܢܶܐ܀ ܘܥܕܬܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܬ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܐ ܶܚܒ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܰܡܢ ܰܠ ܺ �� ܶܢܐ܆ ܰܐܘ ܰܡܢ ܳܡ ܶܛܐ ܳ ܡܫܘܚܬܐ ܕ� ܶܡ ܰ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܽ ܬܡܫܚܐ܀ ܶ ܣܒܘܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܳ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܥܠ ܳܩܡ ܢܶ ܽ ܚܠܦ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܐ܆ ܶܐ � ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕܩ ܶܒܠ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ �ܥ� ̱ ܽ ܰ ܬ� ܰ ܗܒ ݂ ݀ �ܡܢ ܶܐ ܰ ܬ ܶܡܢ ܡܬܘܡ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܦ ܺܪ ̱ܗ ܺܣ ܰܝܐ܆ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܢܡ� ܰܟܕ � ܰܚ ܺܣܝܪ܀ ܝܪܘܬܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܕܚܣ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܰ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܠܡ ܒܗܠܝܢ ܚܫܐ ܕܥܠ ܐܦܝܟܘܢ܆ ܰ ܰ ܡܡ ܶ� ܐܢܐ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܽ ܝܪܘܬܐ ܘܗܝ ܰܕܒܪܐ܀ ܰܘ ܰ ̱ ܕܚ ̈ܫ ̱ ܒܒܣܪܐ ܺܕ ܶ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܨܒܐ ܰܕ ܰܢܩ ܶܒܠ ܽܟܠ ܰܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬܐ܆ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܺ�ܥܕܬܐ ܶܡ ܺ ܶ ܕܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ�ܓ ܺ̈ܒܝܢ ܽܠ ܰ ܬܬܥ ܳܝ�ܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ܀ ܶ ܚܣܡܐ ܽ �ܩ ܳ ܡܐ ܳܕܢ ܰܒܚ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܘܒܠ ̇ܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܺ�ܝ̈ܛܐ܆ ܥ�ܘܗܝ ܶ ܕܠܗ ܢܶ ܽܟܘܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܰ ܘܠ ̇ܗ � ܰܢ ܰܗܪ܀ ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ̱ ܘܩܒܠ ܺ�ܥܕܬܐ ܶܡ ܰܕ ܺ �ܗܘܢ ܰܓ ̈� ܶ� ܽ ܽܟ ܽ ܕܠ ܰ ܩܦܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܆ ܶ ܰ ܕܒܗ ܢܶ ܽ ܬܛ ܰܝܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶ ܛܪܘܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐ ܝܗ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܪܓܫ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܽ ܒܫܘܦܪܐ ܰ ܰܐ ܶ ܕܚ ̈ܶܫ ̇ ܝܦܘܬܐ܆ ܶ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܽ ܒܟ ܽ ܶ ܘܡ ܽܛ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܰܚ ̈ܫܐ ܛܒ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܺ ܶ ܕܥ ̇ܗ ܺ ܰ� ܳ �ܥܕܬܐ ܰ ܕܡ ܽܢܘ ܰ ܘܒܪ ܰܡܢ ܺܡܝܬ ܰܥܠ ܐ ̈ܦ ̇ ܝܗ܆
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and while he endured suffering for her, he did not complain. He looked towards God, who purchased her by His own blood, as it is written, 48 and was ready to give himself on her behalf. The mind is unequal to his praises, for he is full of every beauty. It cannot grasp him so as to depict his image from any viewpoint. It is not so much that discourse is slow to look and depict his likeness but that he presses swiftly on, and his beauty cannot be captured. He said, “I press on that I may make my own that for which Christ has made me His own 49 when He came for our sakes.” Paul pressed on unceasingly in his apostolic office; he flew to all the nations with the Gospel, succeeding again and again. Every road and every place was filled up by him; he did not slow down to take a rest and then resume his course. So swift was he in his course that he did not like to look behind:
COMMENTARY OF PHIL. 3:13 “I FORGET THOSE THINGS
WHICH ARE BEHIND ME BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE PAST AND I STRAIN FORWARD AS MUCH AS I CAN TOWARDS WHAT LIES AHEAD OF ME.”
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“I forget what lies behind me and I strain forward to what is before me.” 50 After winning over one place on the circuit of his preaching, he put it behind him and went on to the next so that he might toil there also. He did not care to sit down and ponder on yesterday’s labour but rather pressed on to complete the task of today. Yesterday they stoned him, and he forgets yesterday’s sufferings;
Acts 20:28. Phil. 3:12. 50 Phil. 3:13. 48 49
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰܶ ܳܶ ܽ ܳ ܡܪ�ܢ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܕܚܐܫ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬ ̇ܗ � ܘܡܐ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܚܪ ܒܐܠܗܐ ܕܩܢ ̇ܗ ܒܕܡܗ ܐܟܡܐ ܕܟܬܝܒ܆ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܐܬܛ ܰܝܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܢܶܬܠ܀ ܘ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܕܡ� ܫܘܦ� ܐ܆ ܚܒ ܠܗ ܗܘܢܐ ܡܢ ܩܘ�ܣ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܘ� ܰܡ ܶ ̈ ܕܪܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܕ ܽܢܨܘܪ ܰܨ ܶ �ܡܗ ܒܚܕ ܡܢ ܓܒܝܢ܀ ܶ ܰ ܬܚܘܪ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܬܬ ܶܗܐ ܰܕ ܽ ܬܕ ܶܡܐ ܶܠܗ܆ �ܡ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶܡ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܘܗܝ � ܡܬܠܒܟܝܢ܀ ܪܗܛ ܪܗܛ ܘܒܕܓܘܢ ܫܘܦ� ̱ ܳ ܳܪ ܶܗܛ ܐܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕ ܶ ܐܕܪܟ ܽܗܘ ܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ �ܗܘ ܕ ܐܕܪܟ ܠܢ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܕ ܐܬܐ ܡܛܠܬܢ܀ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܒ ܺ ܪܗܛ ܳܪ ܶܗܛ ܰܦ ܳ ܥܕ ܺܟܝܠ ܶܡ ܰ ܫܠ ܽ ܰ ܝܚܘܬܐ܆ ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܽ ܘܬܘܒ ܶܡ ܰ ܳܛܣ ܰܒ ܰ ܬܟ ܰܫܪ܀ ܣܒܪܬܐ �ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܥܡܡܐ ܰܡ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܽܟܠ ܽܐ ܳ ܘ�ܚܬܐ ܰܘܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܆ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܺܗܝ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܥܒܕ ܰܢܘܚܐ ܘܬܘܒ ܳܪ ܶܗܛ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘ� ܐ ܶ ܶ ܺܙܪܝܙ ܗܘܐ ܶ ܒܪܗܛܗ ܳܕ ܐܦ� ܳ �ܒܬܪܗ ܨܒܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܽܢܚܘܪ܆ ̱ ܰ ܳܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܝܬ ܠܝ ܕܒܣܬܪܝ ܘܠܩܕܡܝ ܠܡ ܡܫܬܘܫܛ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܛܥ ݂ ܡܐ ܳܕܟ ܶܒܫ ܗܘܐ ܰܐܬܪܐ ܶ ܒܪܗܛܐ ܳܕܟ ܽܪ ܽܘܙܘܬܐ܆ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܰܫ ܶ ܶ ܒܩܗ ܳ �ܒܬܪܗ ܥܒܪ �ܚܪܢܐ ܕܬܘܒ ܢ�ܐ ܒܗ܀ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܚܫܘܒ ܰܥ ܶ ܡܠܗ ܶܕ ܳ ܬܒ ܢ ܶ ܽ ܐܬܡܠܝ܆ � ܳܒܛܠ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܫܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܡܫ ܳ� ܽܡܘ܀ �ܗܢܐ ܕ�ܘܡܢ ܡ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܡܢ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܘܛܥܐ ܐܢܘܢ �ܚܫܐ ܕ ܐܬܡܠܝ܆ ܬܡܠܝ ܪ ܓܡ ̱
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today he seeks out yet more sufferings to endure. “I forget those things which are behind me because they are in the past, and I strain forward as much as I can towards what lays ahead of me.” He did not brood over a travail that slipped away with the close of day but took pains to work on what was present. It is loathsome to a lion to eat yesterday’s prey; daily he seeks to hunt what befits the day. Thus Paul passed on from labour done in error, and strove to approach what lay ahead. There is no place that was not taken by him in the course that he set himself; though he achieved much, he pressed on all the more, to attain the more. Where should discourse look for him, to narrate his beautiful deeds? In what place shall a homily grasp him, if indeed it does so? He was driven forward on every road, and entire countries were not enough for him; I do not know where I may catch him, to depict his beauties. While I seek to hear his voice from Rome, news comes to me that he is thrown to the beasts in Ephesus.51 While listening to the sound of his speech in Syria, I turn and hear that he has converted Galatia. When I seek to catch sight of his beauty from Corinth,
51
1 Cor. 15:32.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܽ̈ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܝܒܪ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܀ ܘ�ܘܡܢ ܒܥܐ ܬܘܒ ܐܘ�ܨ ܢܐ ܢܣ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܣܬܪܝ ܳܛܥܶܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܰܕ ܰ ܥܒ�ܝ �ܗܝܢ܆ �ܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܕܒ ܽ ܰ ܳܰ ܶ ܰ ܕܡ ܰ ܘܫܛ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܟܡܐ ܶ ܫܬ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܘܬܘܒ ܠܩܕܡܝ ܡ � ܳܪ ܶܢܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܒܥܡ� ܰܕ ܰ ܥܒܪ ܰܥܡ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡܬܐ܆ ܬܚ ܰܦܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܟܕ ܶܡ ܰ ܳ ܒܗܢܐ ܶܕ ܐܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܟ ܰܫܪ܀ ܺ ܽ �ܓܙܪܐ ܶܕ ܳ ܝܛܘܬܐ ̱ܗܝ ܶܠܗ ܰ�ܪܝܐ ܕܢܶ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܶ ܐܬܡܠܝ܆ ܫ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܕ�ܘܡܐ ܒܝܘܡܗ ܒܥܐ ܕܢܥܕ ܐ ܡܐ ܕܚܫܚ ܠܗ܀ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܰ ܥܒܪ ܛܥܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ܆ �ܥܡ� ܕ ܽ ܽ ܕܬܘܒ ܢܶ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܬܘܒ ܰܠ ܳ ܩܪܘܒ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܬܟ ܰܫܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱ �ܒܝܟ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶ ܒܪܗܛܐ ܰܕ ܺ � ܺܐܝܬ ܰܐܬܪܐ ܕ� ܺ �ܒܝܟ܆ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܕܬܘܒ ܰܢ ܶ ܕܪܟ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܘܟܕ ܛܒ ܐ ܶܕܪܟ ܬܘܒ ܳܪ ܶܗܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܰܐܝܟܐ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ�ܬܶܒܥܶ ܝܘܗܝ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܘܗܝ܆ ܬ�ܐ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܘܒܐܝܢܐ ܰܐܬܪܐ ܽܢܨ ܶ ܰ ܘܕܗ ܺܡܐܡܪܐ ܐܢ ܳ� ܐܪ ܶܠܗ܀ ܰ ܺ ܐܘ�ܚܬܐ ܘ� ܳܣ ܺ ܛܪܝܕ ܽܒ ܳ ܦܩܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܐܬ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܆ ܶ ܰ ܰܘܐܝܟܐ ܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ � ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܝܘܗܝ ܶܘ ܽܐܨܘܪ ܽܫܘܦ� ̱ ܚܕ ̱ ܫܡܥ ܳܩ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܽܪ ܺ ܰܥܕ ܳܒܥܶܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܐ ܰ ܗܘܡܝ܆ ܫܪ ܐ ܶܒ ܶ �ܚ ̈� ܳܘܬܐ ܶ ܶܐ̱ ܳܬ ܐ ܶܠܝ ܶܛܒܐ ܕܗܐ ܰ ܐܦ ܳܣܘܣ܀ ܕܡܡܠܶܗ ܶܡܢ ܽܣ ܺ ܰܥܕ ܳ� ܶܐܬ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܳܩ� ܰ ܘܪ ܰ�ܐ܆ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܡܬ ܶ ܠܓ ܰܠܛܝܐ܀ �ܡܕ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܗܦܟܬ ܫܡܥ ݂ܬ ܕ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰܥܕ ܳܒܥܶܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕ ܐܚܙ ܐ ܫܘܦܪܗ ܡܢ ܩܘܪܢܬܘܣ܆
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he shows himself to me from Jerusalem with the saints. If go to the sea, I see him shipwrecked, and on dry land, in shackles, yet going about his preaching. He admonishes Cephas 52 and restrains an angel by his imprecation; 53 he is circumspect in the Gospel lest it be spoken in a careless manner. When it is expedient, he becomes like a Jew to the Jews; 54 and when it is necessary, he lives as one outside the Law. 55 He took pains, as he said, to win over all people; 56 his truth was one yet he conducted himself differently according to circumstances. When he was preaching he was a partner with the Spirit in his words; but when admonishing, he was on his own; it was not from the Spirit. “I speak, not the Lord.” 57 Here he showed that even when not commanded, he admonished and corrected as best he could. As long as the Spirit commanded him to speak, behold, he spoke; and when the Spirit left him to take a little rest, he did not let up. Because of this he wrote to Timothy, “Admonish in season and out of season, 58 and do not cease.” This hard-worker had no time to stop and be still, for there was never a time that he was not engaged in business to make a profit. “For three years I admonished with tears night and day.” 59
Gal. 2:11. Gal. 1:8–9. 54 1 Cor. 9:20a. 55 1 Cor. 9:20b. 56 I Cor. 9:20–22. 57 1 Cor. 7:12. 58 2 Tim. 4:2. 59 Acts 20:31. 52 53
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰܐ ܺܕܝܩ ܶܠܗ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܐ ܺ ܘܪ ܶ ܫܠܡ ܰܥܡ ܰܩ ܺܕ�̈ ܶܫܐ܀ ܺ ܶ ܥܒܝܕ ܽܢ ܳ ܝܬܗ ܺ ܶܐܢ ܳܐ ܶܙܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰ ܘܘܓܐ܆ �ܝܡܐ ܚܙ ܒܓܘ ܰ�ܒܫܐ ܐ̱ ܺܣܝܪ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܗ ܶܠܟ ܰܠ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܣ ܳܒ ܽܪܘ܀ ܺ ܒܚ ܶ �ܟܐܦܐ ܰܡ ܶܟܣ ܰܘ ܰ �ܡ ܰ�ܟܐ ܶ ܪܡܗ ܰܦ ܰܟܪ܆ ܫܚ ܳ ܝܡܐܺܝܬ � ܬܶ ܰ ܺܙܗܝܪ ܰܒ ܰ ܣܒܪܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ܀ ܽ ܰܥܡ ܽ� ̱ܗ ̈ܘ ܳܕ�ܶܐ ܺ ܥܒܝܕ ܽ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܕܝܐ ܶܡܛܠ ܽܦܘܪܣܐ܆ ܰܘܐܝܟܐ ܳܕ ܐܠ�ܐ ܕ� ܳܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܐܬܪ ܰܐܟܡܐ ܶܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܚ ܰܦܛ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܟ�ܢܫ ܢ ܫܪ ܶܪܗ ܰܚܕ ܽܗܘ ܰܘ ܽ ܒܟܠ ܽܫ ܳ ܳ ܘܚܠܦ ܶܡ ܰ ܬܕ ܰܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܳ ̱ ܽ ܒܡ ܰ ̈�ܘܗܝ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܟܪܙ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܗܘܐ ܰܫܘܬܦܐ �ܪܘܚܐ ܶ ̱ ܕܡܪܬܶ ܐ ܗܘܐ ܽܗܘ ܶܡܢ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ ܰ ܘܡܐ ܰ ܘܠܘ ܶܡܢ ܽܪܘܚܐ܀ ̱ܶ ܳ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܐܢܐ � ܳܡܪܝ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ܆ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܪܬܝ ܰ ܘܟ ܶܘܢ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ ܡ� ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܰܟܕ � ܦܩܝܕ ܐ ܟܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ܗܐ ܰ ܦܩܕ ܶܠܗ ܽܪܘܚܐ ܰ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܳܶ ܕܫ ܶ ܒܩܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܺ ܘܡܐ ܰ ܬܬ�ܝܚ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ � ܫ� ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܶܳ ܶ ܶܡ ܽܛ ܳ ܝܡܬܐܘܣ ܬܘܒ ܳܟܬܒ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܠܛ ܶ ܰܐܪܬܐ ܰ ܒܙܒܢܐ ܰܘܕ� ܰܙܒܢܐ ܘ� ܬ ܰܡܐܢ ܳܠܟ܀ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܫ� ܰ �ܗܘ ܰܟ ܺܫܝܪܐ܆ � ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܙܒܢܐ ܕܢ ܰ ܕ� ܺܐܝܬ ܶܐ ܰܡܬܝ ܕ� ܽ� ܳ ܘܬܪܢܐ ܶܡܬܬ ܰܓܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܫ� ܳܝ̈ܐ ܰ�ܝ̈ ܰܠܝ ܺܐ ܳ ܬܠܬ ܰܠܡ ܰ ܝܡܡ ܶ ܝܬ܆ ܒܕ ̈ܡܥܶܐ ܐܪܬ ݂
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Who has ever wept so long without being comforted? At that time iniquity was laid out like a corpse; for three years he wept and admonished, and then he buried it. Until he had enshrouded the iniquity and buried it, he would not be comforted, since, as long it lived, he was pained to see it. For all that I might say, I cannot tell of any of his praises, but should I keep silent, I cannot hold off from that steadfast man. My discourse gives no glory to that humble man; his glory is his own; is it not from his mind? His mind bore witness to him, and it is a marvel that someone is not to be accused by himself in anything at all. This man was not aware of anything against himself, 60 and so he was blessed, for he did not judge there to be any cause of condemnation in himself. The depths of this homily (on Paul) have overwhelmed me now, and I can neither climb out nor rescue myself by staying silent. So, like him, I will cry out, “O the depths! 61 No one can search the beauties that are hidden within you!” So much was he intoxicated with the love of the Son of God that he even sought to become a stranger to Him for His love’s sake. Here we must prepare ourselves to hear in a different way,
60 61
1 Cor. 4:4. Rom. 11:33.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰܡܢ ܳܒ ܶܟܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳܗܢܐ ܽܢܘܓܪܐ ܘ� ܶܡ ܰ ܬܒ ܰܝܐ܀ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܝܕܝܢ ܬ ܳܡܢ ܐܝܟ ܰ� ܺܢܝܕܐ܆ ܰܥܘ� ܺܣܝܡ ̱ܗܘܐ ܗ ܘܟܢ ܰܩ ܶ ܫ� ܳ ̈ܝܐ ܒܟܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܡܪܬܶ ܐ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܬܠܬ ܰ ܒܪܗ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܰ ܘܛ ܶ ܕܥ ܺܦܝ ܰ ܥܕܡܐ ܰ ܡܪܗ � ܶܐ ܰ ܰ ܬܒ ܰܝܐ܆ �ܥܘ� ܶ ܰܕܟܡܐ ܰ ܕܚܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܒ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܶܠܗ܀ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܟܡܐ ܐܢ ܐ ܰܡܪ � ܐ ܰܡܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪܐ܆ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܡܚ ܶ ܫ� � ܰ ܡܣܢ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܺܪܝܪܐ܀ ܶܘܐܢ ܬܘܒ ܐ ܰܠܘ ܽܫ ܳ ܘܒܗܪܐ ܳ�ܗܒܐ ܶܡ ܰܠܬܝ ܰ �ܗܘ ܰܡ ܺܟܝܟܐ܆ ܘܒܗ ܶܪܗ ܶܓܝܪ ܺܕ ܶ ܽܫ ܳ ܝܠܗ ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܶܡܢ ܶܪ ܳ ܥ�ܢܶܗ܀ ܳ ܶ ܽܗܘ ܶܪ ܳ ܘܗ ܰܢܘ ܬܗܪܐ܆ ܥ�ܢܶܗ ܳܣ ܶܗܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܬܩ ܰ ܦܫܗ � ܢܶ ܰ ܛܪܓ ܳܐܦ� ܶ ܕܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܶܡܢ ܰܢ ܶ ܒܡ ܶܕܡ܀ ܚܫܝܫ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ ܳܐܦ� ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܺ ܒܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܓܒܪܐ܆ ܒܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕ ܰ ܦܫܗ ܶ ܰ ܘܥ ܳ �ܗܝ ܽܛ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܕ� ܳܕܢ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܪܫ܀ ܘܒ ̱ ܐܡܪܗ ܰܚ ܰ ܕܡ ܶ ܕܪܢܝ ܳܗܫܐ ܘ� ܶܡ ܰ ܬܗܘܡܐ ܺ ܽ ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܶ ܳ ܶܐ ܰܣܩ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܐܦ� ܶ ܒܫܬܩܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܡܕ � ܺܠܝ܀ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܐܩܥܶܐ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܐ ̄ܘ ܳܠܟ ܽܥܘܡܩܐ ܐܝܟ ܰܕܩܥܐ ܽܗܘ܆ ܕܐ ܳܢܫ � ܳܡܐܶܫ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܽܫ ܶ ܛܡ ܺ ܘܦ� ܐ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܪܝܢ ܳܒܟ܀ ̱ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܥܕܡܐ �ܗܪܟܐ ܪܘܝ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܚܘܒܗ ܕܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ܆ ܽ ܬܢ ܶ ܟܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܛܠ ܽܚ ܶ ܥܕܡܐ ܕܢܶܒܥܶܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܰ ܘܒܗ܀ ܰ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܶܫܡܥܐ ܐ ܺ ܚܪܢܐ ܳܙ ܶܕܩ ܰܕܢܛܝܶܒ ܰܠܢ܆ ̱
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for the thing I speak about is not of the natural order.
COMMENTARY OF ROM 9:3 “I HAVE PRAYED THAT I MYSELF WERE ACCURSED FOR ISRAEL’S SAKE SO THAT IT MAY NOT BE ESTRANGED FROM ITS SAVIOUR.”
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“I have prayed that I myself were accursed 62 for Israel’s sake, so that it may not be estranged from its Saviour.” Here the level of discourse exceeds all ability to hear. The hearing of the ear and the apprehension of the mind cannot contain it. What measure has enough space for words such as these, that someone should pray to be accursed from God? It was not because he hated God that he sought to be accursed from Him, but rather that he loved Him intensely. Love of the Son burned greater in that man than any fire, to such an extent that his love even compelled him to be accursed. See how ardent he was in the love of God when he spoke these words, and how strongly persuaded that he could not be separated from it. “Who shall separate me from the love of God? Shall tribulation, or distress, or perhaps famine? 63 I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor princes, nor powers, 64 nor things present, nor things to come in their varied forms, neither height, nor depth nor anything in them, 65 nor any other possible created thing can separate from God
Rom. 9:3. Rom. 8:35. 64 Rom. 8:38. 65 Rom. 8:39. 62 63
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܟ� ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳܗܢܐ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕ ܰ ܕܠܘ ܰܒ ܳ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܩܢܘܡܝ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܐ ܶ ܝܬ ܰܠܡ ܶܕ ܐܢܐ ܰܒ ܽ ܰ ܗܘܐ܆ ܡܨ � ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܬܢ ܶ ܟܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܶ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܝܣܪܝܠ ܕ� ܢܶ ܰ ܘܩܗ܀ ܳܗܪܟܐ ܰ ܫܦܥ ܶܠܗ ܰܟܝ� ܶ ܕܡܠܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܶܫ ̈ܡ ܺܥܝܢ܆ ܘ� ܳ� ܶܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܫܡܥܐ ܶܕ ܐܕܢܐ ܰܘܙܘܥܐ ܰܕܢܦܫܐ܀ ܰܐܝܢܐ ܰܟܝ� ܳ� ܶܪ ܐ ܳ �ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܶܒܗ܆ ܰ ܡܨ ܶ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܰܕ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܰܠܘ ܰܟܕ ܳܣܢܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰ� ܳܠܗܐ ܒܥܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܐ � ܰܟܕ ܛܒ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܳܪ ܶܚܡ܀ ܳ ܰ ܽܚ ܶ ܪܬܚ ܶܒܗ ܰ ܒܓܒܪܐ ܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܽܢܘܪܐ܆ ܘܒܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳܕ ܐܦ ܺܗܝ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܘܒܗ ܐ�ܨܶܗ܀ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܚ ܘܒܗ ܶܕ� ܽܫܘܥ ܰܟܕ ܰܐ ܳ ܒܚ ܶ ܺ ܫܓܝܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ ܚܙܝ ܟܡܐ ܺ ܡܪ ̇ܗ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ ܳ ܫܟܚ ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܦܪܘܫ ܶܡܢܶܗ܀ ܰܘܟܡܐ ܡܦܣ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕ� ܶܡ ܰ ̱ ܕܚ ܶ ܘܒܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܦܪܫܢܝ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܽ ܰܡܢ ܢܶ ܰ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܰܠܡ܆ ܰ ܘ�ܨܢܐ ܰܟܝ ܶܘܐ� ܽ ܽܐ ܳ ܚܒܘܫܝܐ ܐܘ ܰܕܡ ܰܟܦܢܐ܀ ܳ ܳ ܡܦܣ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܶܓܝܪ ܳܕ ܐܦ� ܰܡܘܬܐ ܐܦ� ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ܆ ܽ̈ ܳܶ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܶ ܘ� ܰܡ� ̈ܟܐ ܘ� ܫܘܠܛܢܐ ܐܦ� ܚܝ�܀ ܳ ܳ ̈ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܥܬ ̈ܝ ܳܕܢ ܶܒ ̈ ܐܣ ܺܟ ܰܡ ܶ ܝܗܝܢ܆ ܐܦ� ܕܩܝܡܢ ܐܘ ܕ ܳܐܦ� ܰܪܘܡܐ ܳܐܦ� ܽܥܘܡܩܐ ܽ ܘܟܠ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܽ ܒܗܘܢ܀ ܫܟܚ ܬܶ ܽ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܳܐܦ� ܺ ܚܪܬܐ ܶܐܢ ܺܐܝܬ ܬܶ ܰ ܦܪܘܫ܆ ̱
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my love that is in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 66 Since he was bound fast by the love of God and inseparable from it, why did he pray to be accursed, if not because of that love? Death, life, angels, and powers, Paul showed to be smaller than his mind. “Height, depth and all the orders in between, should they come against me, shall not separate me from God. No other possible creation, even if it did exist, would have power in it capable of separating my love from Him.” Why this reference to any “other creation” – since it did not exist, except to extend the measure of his love above every limit? “No other world,” even if it were to come into being and exist alongside those that do exist, could separate me from God. By his word he passed beyond nature and its elements, pitching his argument high above nature to speak it there. The whole creation was not enough for him to speak of, so he went beyond it, to another non-existent creation, to speak. He weighed all worlds against his love for God; all creation weighed less, and his love outweighed them all. Because of this he said, “No other world,
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Rom. 8:38–39.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܽܚܘܒܝ ܰܕ ܳ ܒܡ ܰܪܢ ܶ� ܽܫܘܥ ܺ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܰ ܒܚ ܶ ܘܟܕ ܳܗ ܰܟܢܐ ܐ̱ ܺܣܝܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽ ܘܒܗ ܘ� ܳܦ ܶܪܫ ̱ܗܘܐ܆ �ܡܢܐ ܰܨ ܺܠܝ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܶܐܢ ܰܠܘ ܽܚ ܰ ܘܒܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܘܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳܐܦ ܰܡ ܰ� ̈ܶܟܐ ܰ ܰܡܘܬܐ ܰ ܘܚ ̈ܝ ܰ� ܳܘܬܐ܆ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܕ ܽܙܥ ܺ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ܶܪ ܳ ܥ�ܢܶܗ܀ ܘܥܘܡܩܐ ܽ ܰܪܘܡܐ ܽ ܘܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܬܶ ̈ܓ ܶܡܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܰܒ ܰ ܡܨܥܬܐ܆ ܰ ܶܐܢ ܳܐܬܶܝܢ ܰ ܥܠܝ � ܳܦ ܺ ܪܫܝܢ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳܐܦ� ܺ ܕܠܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ܐ ܽܠܘ ܐܝܬ ̇ܝܗ܆ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܐ̱ܚܪܬܐ ܦܣܘܩ ܽܚܘܒܝ ܶܡܢ ܺܕ ܶ ܡ� ܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܺܐܝܬ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܚܝ� ܰܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ܀ ܶ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܐ ܺ ܺ ܚܪܬܐ ܳ �ܡܢܐ ܰܫ ܳ ܪܒ ̇ܗ ܰܟܕ ܰܠܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀܆ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܕܚ ܶ ܡܬܘܚ ܰܪܘܡܐ ܽ ܘܒܗ �ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܣ ̈ܟܐ܀ ܐ � ܕܢ ܺ ܶܽ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܐܬ ݂ܬ܆݀ ܘ� ܰܠܡ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܐ̱ܚܪܬܐ ܐܠܘ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ �ܫܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܰܥܡ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܦ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܣܛ ̈ܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ܆ ܥܒܪ ̱ܗܘܐ ܒܡܠܬܗ ܐܦ ܠܟܝܢܐ ܘ � ܟܣ ̱ ܰܘ�ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰܐ ܺ ܪܡܝ ܰܫ ܶ ܪܒܗ ܰܕ ܰ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܬ ܶܠܗ ܽܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܺ � ܶܣ ܰ ܦܩ ݂ ݀ ܡܡ ܳܠܘ܆ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܠ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܘܬܘܒ ܰܠ ܺ ܦܣܥ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ܰ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ܀ ܒܪܝܬܐ ܐ̱ܚܪܬܐ ܕܠ ܰ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܳܥ ̈� ܶܡܐ ܰ �ܟ ܽ ܬܩܠ ܰ�ܥܡ ܽܚ ܶ ܘܒܗ ܶܕܨܝܕ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܆ ܰ ܘܒܗ ܺܕ ܶ ܢܬܥ ܶܡܢ ܽܟ ܶ ܘܚ ܶ ��ܬܐ ܽ ܰܘܙܠ ܶܒ ܳ �ܗܝܢ܀ ܝܠܗ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܚܪܬܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ܆ ܘܡܛ �ܗܢܐ ܐܦ� ܒܪܝܬܐ ܐ̱
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if it did exist, could separate me from Him.’’ Since this is the case, I have prayed that I might be accursed for the sake of those who are lost, that they might be found in God. This is a big claim, and he is not to be blamed who cannot hear it, for the door of the ear is too small for it to fit through. Bearing in mind the love Paul had towards God, what was the significance of his praying to be accursed from God? O Paul, your story surpasses all interpretation! Why did you pray to be accursed by your Beloved? If all worlds, as you said, cannot separate you, why then do you pray to withdraw from Him. If things neither present nor to come will separate your love, why are you at pains to be separated, as you say? Unless you listen a little in a spiritual manner, the words of Paul will lie hidden from your understanding. He looked to Jesus, who for our sake was made to be sin, 67 and he made himself ready to become accursed for His sake. The Son of God died on behalf of all, and Paul likewise sought to become accursed on behalf of many. He looked to God, and how much He loves people, (and he exclaimed)
67
2 Cor. 5:21.
103 340
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܺܐܝܬ ܗܘܐ ܰܡܨܝܐ ܬܶ ܽ ܦܪܘܫ ܽܚܘܒܝ ܶܡܢ ܺܕ ܶ ܝܠܗ܀ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܘܟܕ ܳܛܒ ܳܗܟܢ ܰ ܝܬ ܠܡ ܐܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ܆ ܡܨ � ̱ܗܘ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰܺ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܽ ܟܚܘܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܒܝܬ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܚܠܦ ܐܒ�ܕ ܐ ܕܢ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰܪܒܐ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܘ� ܥܕܝܠ ܐܝܢܐ ܕ� ܫܡܥ ܠ ̇ܗ܆ ܽܙܥܘܪ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܬܪܥܐ ܶܕ ܐܕܢܐ ܰܕ ܰ ܬܗ ܶܠܟ ܶܒܗ܀ ܰ ܽ ܠܦܘܬ ܰܗܘ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܗܘܐ ܰ ܠܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܶܨܝܕ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܆ ̱ ܰܒܐܝܢܐ ܰܚܝ� ܰܨ ܺܠܝ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ܀ ܳܐ ̄ܘ ܳܠܟ ܰܓܒܪܐ ܳܪܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܫ ܳ ܪܒܟ ܶܡܢ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܫܩܐ܆ ܝܬ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܡܨ ܶܠ ݁ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܳ ܳܡܢܐ ܰ ܝܒܟ܀ ܰ ܰ ܽܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܳܥ ̈� ܶܡܐ � ܳܦ ܺ ܪܫܝܢ ܳܠܟ ܐܝܟ ܳܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆ ܰ ܪܚܩ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶܡ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ �ܡܢܐ ܰܟܝ ܕܬܶ ܰ ܬܟ ܰܫܦ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀ ܶ ܰ ܺ �ܫܢ ܽܚ ܳ ܥܬ ̈ܝ ܳܕܢ ܳܦ ܳ ܘܒܟ܆ ܐܢ � ܳܕܩܝ̈ ܶܡܢ ܘ� ܕ ܰ ܰ �ܡܢܐ ܺܐܝܬ ܳܠܟ ܺܟܐܒܐ ܕܬܶ ܽ ܳ ܦܪܘܫ ܐܝܟ ܳܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܘܚ ܳܢܐܝܬ � ܳܫ ܰܡܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ܆ ܐ ܽܢܗܘ ܰܕܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܪ ܶ ̈ܶܡ ܶ� ܰ ܕܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܓ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܐܢܶܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܺܝ ܰܕܥܬܐ܀ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܳܚܪ ܶܒܗ ܶ ܒܝ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܕܗܘܐ ܚܛܝܬܐ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܢ܆ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܐܬܛ ܰܝܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ܀ ܘ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܟ�ܢܫ ܡܝܬ ܰܒܪ ܐܠܗܐ ܘܒ ̇ܗ ܰܒܕܡܘܬܐ܆ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ ܳ ܒܥܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܚܠܦ ܰܣ ܺܓ ̈ܝܐܐ܀ ܳܚܪ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܠܗܐ ܰܕܟܡܐ ܳܪ ܶܚܡ ܰܠ ܰ ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ܆
B 765
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“I have wished to be accursed that they may be found.”68 That the way of the Son might not be made void, he prayed that he might be lost, and that the Son of God visit His own. He thought about Abraham and about the promises of the Father, and he was in pain, lest the covenant be rendered ineffective. 69 He remembered the promises (given) to the fathers, but saw their offspring were at enmity with the Saviour. He read in the old covenant that they are sons in truth and was desperately saddened lest they forfeit their inheritance. He called to mind the glory in which they stood, and the Law and Worship that they possessed. He understood how great were the covenants God had made, and how necessary that His word be established among His heirs. He pondered on Christ who was born of them according to the flesh, and was greatly pained lest they be deprived of this salvation. “For the sake of these things lest they be rendered void, I have prayed to be accursed for them. Let me go out, and let them enter in unto God, That the great way of the Crucifixion be filled up. It is nothing, if for the sake of many, one person departs,
68 69
Rom. 9:3. Rom. 9:4ff.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܝܬ ܰܠܡ ܶܐ ܶ ܫܬ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ܀ ܘܕܢ ܟܚܘܢ ܳܨ ܶܒܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܺ ݀ ܶ ܳ ܕ� ܬܗܘܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܶ ܘܪܚܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܣܦܝܩܬܐ ܰܨܠܝ܆ ܰ ܝܠܗ ܢܶ ܽ ܘܒܪ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ ܺܕ ܶ ܐܒܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܽܗܘ ܰ ܺܕܢ ܰ ܣܥܘܪ܀ ܳ ܶ ܒܫ ̈ ܪܢܐ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܒܪ ܳܗܡ ܰܘ ܽ �ܘܬܗ܆ ܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܐܒܐ ܘܘ ܳܕ ܰ� ̱ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܒܬܠ�ܬܶ ܰܢܘܝ ܰܕ ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܺܟܐܒܐ ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ܀ ܘܕ� ܬ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ̈ܳ ܶ ܣܠܩ ܰܥܠ ܒܠܗ ܗܘ ܡܘ�ܟܢܐ ܕ ܐܒܗܬܐ܆ ܘܚܪ ܰܒ ̈ܒ ܰܢ ܽ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ ܰܕܪ ܺܓ ܺܝܙܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܥܠ ܳܦ ܽܪܘܩܐ܀ ܰܳ ܶ ܺܰ ܺ ܕܒ ܳ ܬ ܺܩܐ ܩܪܐ ܰ ܒ� ̈ܝܐ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ܆ ܫܪܪܐ ܒܕ� ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܘܕ� ܢܦܩܘܢ ܡܢ �ܪܬܘܬܗ ܡܬܡܪܡܪ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ ܬܕ ܳ ܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܳܕܩ ܺ �ܗܝ ܬܶ ܽ ܟܪ ̇ܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶܐ ܰ ܝܡܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܒ ̇ܗ܆ ܰ ܶ ܠܬ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ ܫܡܫܬܐ ܰܕ ܺܐܚ ܺ ܝܕܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ �ܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܘ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܶܐ ܰ ܩܝ ̈ܡܐ ܐܝܬ � ܳܠܗܐ܆ ܬܒ ܰܝܢ ̱ܗܘܐ ܟܡܐ ܕ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝ܀ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܐܠ�ܐ ܰܕܬܩܘܡ ܶܡܠܬܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܳ��ܘܬ ̱ܺ ܢܗܘܢ ܺ� ܺܠܝܕ ܶܒ ܳ ܕܡ ܽ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܶ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܰܠ ܺ ܳ ܣܪ ܳܢܐܝܬ܆ �ܙܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܽܦ ܳ ܬܓ ܺ ܶܘܐܢ ܶܡ ܰ ܘܪܩ ܶܢܗ ܰܪܒ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܺܟܐܒܐ܀ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܕ� ܢܶܫܬ ̈ܟ ܳܚܢ ܰܒܛܝ̈ ܳܠܬܐ܆ ܡܨ ܶ� ̱ܗ ܺܘܝܬ ܰܠܡ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ ܶܐ ܶ ܚ� ܰܦ ܽ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳܰ ܐ ܽܦܘܩ ܐܢܐ ܘܢܥ�ܘܢ ܗܢܘܢ ܨܝܕ ܐܠܗܐ܆ ܘܪܚ ̇ܗ ܰܪܒܬܐ ܰܕ ܺܙܩ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܺ ܕܬܶ ܶ ܓܡܝܪܐ ܽܐ ܳ ܝܦܘܬܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܰܠܘ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܐ ܐܢ ܳܢ ܶܦܩ ܰܚܕ܆
B 766
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380
for the way of the Son is large enough for everybody, though few enter it. I will go away; let them come to repentance, and I will greatly rejoice if I am lost while they are found.” For these reasons Paul swore that he was in pain and distress and prayed to be accursed.
385
Who is able to love, as he loved, both God and neighbor more than himself? The goal of Love and of the Law is this: “You should love your neighbor as yourself.” 70 Paul loved beyond the goal of all love, for not “as himself” only did he love, but far more. He did not (merely) seek the advantage of others, but that he should be lost and others be found. He prayed to be at enmity with God that they might be reconciled, and that he go out, so that the entire Nation be brought in. No love is to be compared with this love, except that of Jesus, who died for the wicked, and in whom they regained life. Paul’s rank is higher than all heights, and however high I would scale to speak of him, I reach but the lowest rung. Once something is under confinement, it remains confined;
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LOVE OF PAUL FOR JESUS
70
Mt. 22:39; Mk. 12:31.
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TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
�ܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܳܐܚܙܐ ܰܘ ܽܙܥ ܺ ܐܘܪܚܗ ܰܕܒܪܐ ܶ ܽܕ ܶ ܘܪܝܢ ܳܠ ̇ܗ܀ ܽ ܶܐ̱ܢܐ ܳܐ ܶܙܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܺܘܢܐܬܘܢ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܠ ܳ ܬ� ܽܒܘܬܐ܆ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܺ ܟܚܝܢ܀ ܘܛܒ ܳܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐܢ ܐ ܶܒܕ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܟܕ ܡ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܳ� ܶܡܐ ܰܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܺܟܐܒܐ܆ ܡܨ ܶ� ̱ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ ܪ�ܘܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܳܐܦ ܰܟ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܶܚܪܡܐ܀ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܕܗ ܰܟܢ ܶܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܰܢ ܶܚܒ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ ܐܚܒ ܰܗܘ܆ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܬܗ ܳܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܰܢ ܶ ܦܫܗ܀ ܐܘ �ܠܗܐ ܐܘ ܠܟܢ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳܣ ܶܟܗ ܽ ܘܗܝ܆ ܕܚ ܘܒܐ ܰܘ ܳܕܢ ܽܡܘܣܐ ܗܢܐ ܶܐܝܬ ̱ ܰܕ ܰ ܦܫܟ ܰܠܡ ܬ ܶ �ܩ ܺܪ ܳ ܝܒܟ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ܶܚܒ܀ �ܗܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܣܟܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܰܐ ܶܚܒ ܰܦ ܳ ܰ ܘܠܘܣ܆ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܕܠܘ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܢ ܶ �ܚܘܕ ܐ ܶܚܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐ � ܰ�ܬܝܪ܀ ܦܫܗ ܰܠܘ ܽ� ܳ ܘܬܪܢܐ ܽܗܘ ܰ� ܳ ܚ� ܶܢܐ ܳܒܥܶܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܓܝܪ܆ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ܽ ܟܚܘܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ܀ ܐ � ܕܢܐܒܕ ܘܐܚ� ܢܐ ܠܡ ܢ ̱ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܳ ܬܪ ܽܥܘܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܨܠܝ ܕܢܪܓܙ ܡܢ ܐܠܗܐ܆ ܗܘܐ ܰܥ ܺܠܝܠ ܽܟ ܶܠܗ ܰܥܡܐ ܽ ܘܢܶ ܶ ܘܗܘ ܢܶ ܽܦܘܩ ̱ܗܘܐ܀ �ܗܢܐ ܽܚܘܒܐ � ܺܐܝܬ ܽܚܘܒܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ ܳ ܬܦ ܰܚܡ ܶܠܗ܆ ܶܐ � ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܕ ܳ ܚܠܦ ܺܒ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ ܺܡܝܬ ܰܘ ܰ ܚܝܘ ܶܒܗ܀ ܪܓܗ ܰ ܕܦ ܳ ܘܠܘܣ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ� ܺ ܳܪܡ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܗܢܐ ܰܕ ܶ ܘܡܝܢ܆ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܐܣܩ ܐ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܶܒܗ ܠܬܚܬ ܳܫ ܰܘܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܰܘܟܡܐ ܕ ܰ ܡܐ ܺܕ ܐܝܬ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕ ܶ ܬܚܝܬ ܳܣ ܰܟܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡܣܬ ܰ�ܟ ܽ ̱ܗܘ܆
B 767
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no matter how great it is, insofar as it is confined, it is not great. The story of Paul has neither confinement nor limit, and so is too great to be spoken of by my mouth. Look! I haven’t said a word yet about his beauty: do not fault me for having said I would speak about that! I wanted to speak, but wasn’t up to the task, much as I desired. Beauty like this is not to be spattered with the colours from our palette. Therefore I will spread out silence like a veil to cover it, lest the jumble of my words, for all their enthusiasm, deface everything. Up to now I knew I was dealing with something that knows no boundaries, but from now on I will say no more, lest I incur disgrace. I am not falling silent because I have lost the power of speech; in truth I confess I am not able to. Let me keep silent and let him speak, as is proper, and I will learn from him what crown he received in the Gospel. “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; 71 I have kept my faith steadfast from stumbling blocks, and there is laid up in righteousness a crown for my Lord to give me,” for he judged of himself that he was to receive a crown in righteousness. 72 Paul became his own judge, and passed judgment,
71 72
2 Tim. 4:7. 2 Tim. 4:8.
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415
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܶ ܰ ܰܘܟܡܐ ܐܢ ܰܪܒ ܰܟܕ ܶܡܣܬ ܰ�ܟ � ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܪ ܰܒܐ ̱ܗܘ܀ ܳ ܪܒܗ ܰ ܕܦ ܳ �ܫ ܶ ܘܠܘܣ ܳܐܦ� ܽ ܰ ܬܚܘܡܐ ܐܦ� ܳܣܟܐ܆ ܽ ܶ ܘܡܛ ܳ �ܗܢܐ ܰܪܒ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡܢ ܽܦܘܡܝ ܢܶ ܰ ܬܡ ܰܠܠ ܶܒܗ܀ ܶ ܗܐ � ܶܐ ܶ ܡܪ ݂ܬ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܳܡ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܦ ܽܐ�ܘܬܗ܆ ܰ ܝܬ ܰܕ ܰ � ܶܐ ܰ ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܬܓܢܶܐ ܶܕ ܐܫܬ ܺܘܕ ݂ ܝܬ ܶܕ ܰܐܡ ܶܠܠ � ܶܓܝܪ ܶܣ ܶ ܺ ܝܬ܆ ܦܩܬ ܰܟܕ ܳܨ ܶܒܐ ̱ܗ ܺܘ ݂ ܨܒ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳܕܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܽܫ ܶ ̈ ܒܓܘ ܶܢܐ ܺܕ ܰ ܬܛ ܺ ܪܫܝܢ܀ ܝܠܢ � ܡ ܘܦ� ܐ ܳܡ ܶܕܝܢ ܶܐ ܽ ܝܘܗܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܽܫ ܶ ܘܫܦܐ܆ ܦܪܘܣ ܶܫܬܩܐ ܰܢܚ ܶܦ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܕ� ܰܟܕ ܳܪܗܛܐ ܰ ܺ ܝ�ܘܬ ̇ܗ܀ ܝܘܗܝ ܡܠܬ ܒܒܠ ܬܚܒܠ ̱ ܥܕܡܐ ܳ ܰ �ܗܪܟܐ �ܶܕܥܶ ݂ܬ ܶܕ ܰܐܕܥ ܰܕܕ� ܳܣ ܰܟܐ ̱ܗܘ܆ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܘܡܟܐ ܰܘ ܰ �ܗܠ � ܐ ܰܡܪ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕ� ܐ ܰܨ ܰܥܪ܀ ܳܶ ܺ ܰܠܘ ܰܟܕ ܐܝܬ ܺܒܝ ܰܚܝ� ܺܕ ܰܐܡܪ ܗܐ ܫ� ܐ̱ܢܐ܆ ܶܐ � ܽ ܒܩܘܫܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶ ܘܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕ� ܳܣ ܶܦܩ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܫ� ܶܐܢܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܢܡ ܶܠܠ ܽܗܘ ܐܝܟ ܰܕܦܐܐ ܶܠܗ܆ ܐ ܶܶ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܡܢܗ ܐܠܦ ܕ ܐܝܢܐ ܟܠܝ� ܫܩܠ ܒܣܒܪܬܐ܀ ܶ ܰ ܒܕܬ ܶ ܰܐ ܽܓܘܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܰܪܒܐ ܶܥ ܶ ܘܪܗܛܝ ܐܫܬ ܰܠܡ܆ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ �ܗ ܳ ܳܘܐܦ ܰ ܟܫ ̈ܘ �܀ ܝܡ ܽܢܘܬܝ ܣܓܝ ܢܛܪ ݂ܬ ܡܢ ܡ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܝܘܗܝ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܪܝ܆ ܰܘܕܒܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܐ ܢܛܝܪ ܠܝ ܟܠܝ� ܕܢܶܬܠ ̱ ܒܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܐ ܺ ܦܫܗ ܰܕ ܺ ܳܕܢ ̱ܗܘܐ ܰܢ ܶ ܟܠܝ� ܳܫ ܶܩܠ܀ ܦܫܗ ܰܦ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢܐ ܰ �ܢ ܶ ܘܠܘܣ ܰܘܫܪܐ ܺܕܝܢܐ܆
B 768
110 420 424
HOMILIES ON PAUL
that a crown was kept for him in righteousness from God. He summoned his thoughts to be witnesses to his deeds and all of them exclaimed, “You lack nothing but the crown.” Rightly did the Learned One (Jesus) call him “a chosen vessel.” 73 Blessed is He who kept for him the crown of victory of which he was worthy. Amen. The end of the second homily on the Apostle Paul composed by Mar Jacob Malpan.
73
Acts 9:15.
111 420
TEXT AND TRANSLATION: HOMILY 62
ܰ ܺ ܢܛܝܪ ܶܠܗ ܺ ܰܕ ܺ ܟܠܝ� ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳܠܗܐ܀ ܒܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܐ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܕܢܶ ܽ ܩܪܐ �ܚ ܘܗܝ܆ ܗܘܘܢ ܳܣ ̈ܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܥܠܰ ܽܣܘܥ� ܰܢ ̱ ܘܫ ̈ܒ ̱ ܺ ܰܘ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܶ ܩܥܘ ܽܟ�ܗܘܢ ܕ ܐ� ܟܠܝ� � ܰܚܣܝܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܳܡ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܡܐܢܐ ܰܓܒܝܐ ܳ ܩܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܝ ܽܕܘܥܐ܆ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܢܛܪ ܶܠܗ ܺ ܟܠܝܠ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬܐ ܳ ܕܫ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ܀ ܒܪܝܟ ܕ ܘܠܘܣ ܺ ܶ ܕܥܠ ܰܦ ܳ ܫܠܡ ܺܡܐܡܪܐ ܰ)ܕܬ ܶܪܝܢ؟( ܰ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܥܩܘܒ ܰܡ ܳ �ܡܪܝ ܰ� ܽ ܰܕ ܺܐܡܝܪ ܳ �ܦܢܐ.
B 769
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WORKS CITED Acharya, F. Prayer with the Harp of the Spirit, Vol 1–6. Vagamon, 1982–86.
Anto, J. “Revelation of Paul the Blessed Apostle,” The Harp XII (2007): 269–282.
Assemani, J.S. Bibliothecae Apostolicae Vaticanae. Vol.III, pp.87–107 (Rome, 1759). Auweele, B.V. From Babel to the Upper Room. Translation and Interpretation of Homilies of Narsai and Jacob of Serug. Louvainla-Neuve, 2001.
Baumstark, A. Geschicte der syrischen Literatur mit Ausschluss der christlich-palastinensischen Texte. Bonn, 1922.
——— “Die Literarischen Handschriften des Jacobitischen Markokloster in Jerusalem.” Oriens Christianus Vol.2 1912: 317– 338.
Beker, J.C. Paul the Apostle, the Triumph of God in Life and Thought. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1989.
Bermejo, L. Paul, Missionary, Mystic, Martyr. Anand: Gujrat Sahatiya Prakash, 2007.
Brock S.P., A. Butts, G. Kiraz, L. Van Rompay (editors) Gorgias Encyclopaedic Dictionary ( Piscataway NJ: Gorgias Press, 2011).
——— “A Brief Outline of Syriac Literature.” Môrân ’Eth’ô, Vol.9, 2009.
Bou Mansour, T. Saint Paul dans la Patristique Syriaque. Kaslik, 2010.
——— La Théologie de Jacques de Saroug. Kaslik: Vol.I, 1993; Vol. II, 2000. 113
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Corbett, J.H. “The Pauline Tradition in Aphrahat.” Orientalia Christiana Analecta 229 (1987)
Davies, W. D. Paul and Rabbinic Judaism: Some Rabbinical Elements in Pauline Theology. London: SPCK, 1948.
Dolabani, F.Y. Catalogue of Syriac Manuscripts in St. Mark’s Monastery. Damascus, 1994.
Dunn, J. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Michigan: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006.
Elliot, J.K. The Acts of Paul in the Apocryphal New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993.
——— The Apocalypse of Paul in the Apocryphal New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993. George, K.K. Paul the Ambassador of Christ. Thiruvalla, 1989.
Hansbury, M. “Love as an Exegetical Principle in Jacob of Serug,” The Harp XXVII (2012): 353–68.
Kollamparampil, T. Salvation According to Jacob of Serugh. Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2001.
Konat, J.A. The Old Testament Types of Christ as Reflected in the Select Metrical Homilies (mimre) of Jacob of Serugh. Louvain-laNeuve, 1999. Krüger, P. “Ein Missionsdokument aus früschristlicher Zeit.” Zeitschrift für Missionwissenschaft und Religionwissenschaft Heft 4, 1958.
Macomber, W.F. “The Manuscripts of the Metrical Homilies of Narsai.” Orientalia Christiana Periodica XXXIX, 1979.
Mathews, E.G., J.P. Amar, and K. McVey. St. Ephrem the Syrian, Selected Prose Works: Commentary on Genesis, Commentary on Exodus, Homily on Our Lord, Letter to Publius. Fathers of the Church 91. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1994.
Murray, R. “Symbolism in Ephrem: The Theory of Symbolism in St. Ephrem’s Theology.” Parole de l’Orient 6,7 (1975–76): 1–20.
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115
——— Symbols of the Church and Kingdom. Cambridge, 1975. (revised edition; London/Piscataway NJ, 2004).
Papoutsakis, M. “Formulaic Language in the Metrical Homilies of Jacob of Serugh.” Orientalia Christiana Analecta 256 (1998): 445–451.
Parakkott, R. “St. Paul according to Jacob of Serugh.” The Harp XXIII (2008): 41–46.
Sanders, J., C. A. Evans, ed. Paul and the Scriptures of Israel (Sheffield : JSOT Press, 1993).
Vööbus, A. “Handschriftliche Uberlieferung der Memre-Dichtung des Ja’qob von Serug.” CSCO Vol.344 Subsidia Tomus 39. Louvain, 1973. Wright, W. A Short History of Syriac Literature. Amsterdam: Philo Press, 1966.
Zibawi, M. “Les Syriens.” Orients chrétiens: entre Byzance et l”Islam. Paris: Desclée de Brouwer, 1995.
INDEX BIBLICAL REFERENCES
Genesis 4:18 Exodus 11:10 Leviticus 11:13–16 Deuteronomy 14:11–15 I Kings 19.8 I Samuel 13:20, 21 Job 39:26 Psalms 110:4 Matthew 10:16 22:39 27:60 Mark 12:31 15.46 Luke 4:22 John 19:42 Acts 7:58–8:1 8:3
9:1 9:4, 26 9:4–5 9:5a; 5b 9:6 9:10–16 9:15
61: 519
61: 525
61: 37 61: 37
61: 523
61: 25 61: 37
61: 519
61: 37; 62: 164 62: 388 61: 246 62: 388 61: 246 61: 242 61: 246
62: 161 61: 35
117
61: 39 61: 23, 167 61: 154, 177 61: 227, 228 61: 363 61: 434 61: 24, 480; 62: 423 9:16 61: 481 9:17 61: 492 9:18 61: 488 9:21 61: 121 9:25 62: 149 9:26 61: 437 14:12 62: 135 14:13 62: 133 14:19 62: 134, 152 16:19–24 61: 23 20:9–12 62: 142 20:28 62: 221 20:31 62: 279 22:3 61: 41, 135 22:5 61: 149 22:6 61: 191 22:7 61: 23, 154 22:11 61: 177 23:6 62: 146 23:23– 24:27 61: 23 24:23,27 62: 33
118 26:10 26:13 26:14 26:15 26:24 28:16–31 Romans 6:6 8:35 8:38 8:38–39 8:39 9:3 9:4ff 9:33 11:1 11:33 1 Cor 1:22–23 1:25 1:27 2:2 3:9 3:10 4:4 4:9 4:10 4:11 4:13 4:21 6:8,10 7:12 9:7 9:20a 9:20b 9:20–22 11:1 15:31 15:32 2 Cor
HOMILIES ON PAUL 61: 33 61: 191 61: 23 61: 240 62: 136 61: 23
61: 547 62: 314 62: 316 62: 320 62: 318 62: 301, 360 62: 364 62: 105 62: 154 62: 295
62: 90, 105 61: 98 61: 75 62: 88 61: 27 61: 26–27 62: 291 62: 123 62: 166 62: 130 62: 153 62: 151 62: 138 62: 271 62: 27 62: 265 62: 266 62: 267 61: 512, 533 62: 59 62: 256
5:21 11:21–30 11:22 11:23–28 11:24 11:25 11: 25–26 11:28 12:2
12:4 12:7 12:10 Gal 1:8–9 2:11 2:20 6:14
6:17 Eph 3:1 Phil 1:9 3:12 3:13 Col 1:23 1:24 2:16 Thess 1:9 2 Tim 4:2 4:7 4:8 Hebrews 5:6,10 6:20
62: 355 62: 15 62: 154 61: 23 62: 33, 55 62: 11, 56, 57 62: 10 62: 33, 34 61: 320; 62: 63, 69 62: 64 61: 79 62: 17
62: 263 62: 263 61: 540, 545, 593 61: 569, 585, 593 62: 35, 43 62: 31
62: 31 62: 228 62: 234
62: 170 62: 173 61: 93 62: 24
62: 276 62: 415 62: 418 61: 519 61: 519
INDEX 7:10, 11, 15, 17
61: 519
INDEX OF KEY TERMS
Abraham 62: 154, 363 Adam 62: 84 Adonai 61: 41, 71, 290 Ananias 61: 352, 434, 442, 447, 455, 482, 501 Anathema (accursed) 62: 306, 322,346, 348, 356, 358, 360, 376, 384 Angels 61: 281, 331; 62: 122– 23, 158, 263, 316, 323 Apostle 61: 67, 77, 191, 296, 306 Apostleship 61: 70, 557, 598; 62: 98 Arameans 62: 89–91, 104 Beauty 61: 128; 62: 46, 51, 78, 217, 223, 226, 251–259, 296, 403, 406 Cephas 62: 263 Christ 62: 90, 105, 115, 166, 175, 203, 228, 320, 373 Church 61: 13; 62: 176–78, 185, 188, 193, 202, 212, 215, 219 Colour 61: 470; 62: 75, 406 Corinth 62: 259 Covenant 62: 364, 367, 371 Cross 61: 102, 548, 565, 567, 578, 582–587; 62: 42, 60, 93–100, 107, 110–112, 164, 217 Crown 62: 414–424 Crucified 61: 13; 62: 36, 88, 90, 95, 583 Crucifixion 61: 3, 15, 96, 580; 62: 75, 378, 376
119 11:5
61: 521
Curse 62: 306, 346, 348, 356, 358, 360, 376, 384 Disciples 61: 72, 74, 110, 118, 362, 364, 449, 454, 485, 497, 502; 62: 79, 85 Elijah 61: 523 Enoch 61: 521 Ephesus 62: 256 Eve 62: 83 Galatia 62: 258 Gentiles 61: 45 Golgotha 61: 270 Gospel 61: 97, 189, 303, 314, 465, 506; 62: 22–23, 25, 148, 230, 264, 414 Hermes 62: 135 Humility 61: 1, 159, 164, 173; 62: 67–78 Infirmity 62: 15, 16, 21 Inheritance 62: 368 Jerusalem 62: 260 Jesus 61: 1, 35, 40, 65, 116, 121, 145, 231, 301, 412, 491, 518, 532, 552; 62: 31, 43, 92, 159, 177, 181, 320, 355, 423. Jew 61: 147, 280; 62: 55, 103, 265 Joseph 61: 242, 276 Judaism 61: 69, 87, 139 Law 61: 41, 142, 269, 298, 302; 62: 266, 370, 387 Learned 62: 413 Light 61: 189–218, 249, 400, 405, 486 Love 61: 57–63, 185; 62: 297– 298, 308–359, 385–395
120
HOMILIES ON PAUL
Lucid 61: 192 Majesty 61: 336, 341 Melchizedek 61: 519 Moses 61: 86, 95, 525; 62: 62 Mysteries 62: 62, 69, 77 Name 61: 108, 112, 229, 382, 480; 62: 96 Nation 61: 23, 45, 86, 123, 134, 189, 244, 266, 375; 62: 99 Nazarene 61: 67, 134, 238, 348 Nazareth 61: 116, 118–119, 228, 231, 234, 236, 328, 334 Overshadow 61: 204 Paradise 62: 64 Paul 61: 61, 64, 89, 103, 125, 190; 62: 107, 113, 119, 229, 247, 324, 345, 347, 358, 383, 389, 397, 401, 419 Persecuted 61: 23, 66, 76, 152, 156; 62: 130 Persecutor 61: 19, 23, 28, 57, 66, 78, 156, 222, 232, 436, 448; 62: 57, 123, 180 Peter 61: 101 Pharisees 61: 401; 62: 146 Praise 61: 255, 597; 62: 223, 285 Preach 61: 2, 481; 62: 22, 28, 90, 94, 100, 235, 262 Preacher 61: 314 Repentance 62: 381 Revelation 61: 191, 288, 295, 299, 320, 367, 575; 62: 61, 68, 72, 150
Roman 62: 145 Rome 62: 255 Sabbath 61: 47, 93, 268 Sadducees 61: 401 Saul 61: 25, 39, 54, 83, 114, 132, 154, 156, 163, 165, 197, 215, 225–229, 240, 324, 350, 365, 391, 415, 429, 438, 443, 447, 486, 489, 501 Scribe 61: 81, 401, 501 Sheol 61: 248, 275, 278 Simon 61: 81 Simplicity 61: 98, 464; 62: 111, 114 Son 61: 42, 197, 242, 306, 321; 62: 38, 192, 202, 208, 210, 219, 309 361, 380 Son of God 61: 117, 122, 232, 243 ; 62: 35, 76, 297, 357, 362 Spirit 62: 82; 269–74 Suffering 61: 13, 20, 379, 413; 62: 20, 36, 38, 47, 48, 50, 58, 118, 131, 167–220, 239, 240 Sun 61: 104, 188, 198, 205, 208; 62: 50, 118 Synagogues 61: 268 Syria 62: 257 Timothy 62: 275 Vessel 61: 24, 473, 479, 505; 62: 423 Zeal 61: 77, 141, 290, 377, 381, 387; 62: 161