ACC ~ John 4 v6b

DIVINE MAJESTY IN THE FEELINGS OF OUR HUMAN NATURE

AMBROSE: Many things we read and believe, in the light of the sacrament of the incarnation. Even in the very affections of our human nature we behold the divine majesty. Jesus is wearied with his journey, that he may refresh the weary. He desires to drink when about to give spiritual drink to the thirsty; he was hungry, when about to supply the food of salvation to the hungry. ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 5.4.53. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 10:291*.

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

HILARY OF POITIERS: If we do not understand the mystery of his tears, hunger and thirst, let us remember that… he who thirsted gave from himself rivers of living water…. When he ate and drank, it was a concession not to his own necessities but to our habits. ON THE TRINITY 10.24. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 9:188.

WEARINESS OF THE JOURNEY

THEODORET OF CYR: The prophet Isaiah has said about the divine nature, “He will not be hungry, nor will he grow weary,” [1] and so on, and the Evangelist says, “Jesus grew weary from the journey and therefore sat down by the well.” Now the phrase “he will not grow weary” [2] is the opposite of growing weary. The prophecy therefore [appears to] contradict the account of the Gospels. But they are not really contradictory since they both come from one God. Not growing weary pertains, therefore, to the infinite nature, because it fills all things. But movement is proper to the body that is finite. And when that which moves is forced to walk, it becomes subject to the weariness of the journey. It was the body, therefore, that walked and grew weary. For the union did not mix the natures together. DIALOGUES, EPILOGUE 1.7. [3]

[1] Is 40:28.

[2] Is 40:28.

[3] FC 106:258-59.

CHRIST WEARIED WHEN HE CANNOT FIND FAITHFULNESS

CAESARIUS OF ARLES: Could the power of God be exhausted? Certainly not. But he was wearied because he could not find the people faithful. Christ was wearied, then, because he recognized no virtue in his people. Today, too, our disobedience wearies him, as does also our weakness. For we are weak when we do not pursue the things that are strong and enduring but follow what is temporal and fleeting. SERMON 170.2. [1]

[1] FC 47:420.