ACC ~ Matthew 12 v39

AN EVIL AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION

ORIGEN: That generation was evil, on account of the influence that had come to be in it from the evil one. It was adulterous because it had left her natural husband—the word or law of truth—and had come to be wedded to a lie. The law which is “in the members” of our flesh wars against “the law of the mind.” [1] It is an adulterer of the soul. Every opposing power, when it has intercourse with the soul unfaithfully—the soul that has as its bridegroom the Word of God—causes the soul to commit adultery. FRAGMENT 274. [2]

[1] Rom 7:23.

[2] GCS 41.1:123.

A WISH FOR A SIGN

ANONYMOUS: Do you wish to see a sign? Where were you when the devil, chastised by me not with a whip but with a word, cried out, “What are we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come here to torment us before the time? We know that you are the Son of God.” [1] The devils became aware of my power, and how is it that you have failed to see the sign of my works? Where were you when the blind seated by the wayside cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us,” [2] that we may see? INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30. [3]

[1] Mt 8:29.

[2] Mt 20:30.

[3] PG 56:788.

THE SIGN OF JONAH

ANONYMOUS: What is the sign of Jonah? The stumbling block of the cross. So it is not the disputers of knowledge who will be saved but those who believe true teaching. For the cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling block to those who dispute knowledge but salvation to those who believe. Paul testifies to this: “But we, for our part, preach the crucified Christ—to the Jews indeed a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.” [1] Why do the Jews seek signs and the Greeks seek wisdom? God pointed to the sign of the stumbling block of the cross to both the Jews and the Greeks. Thus those who wish to find Christ not through faith but through wisdom will perish on the stumbling block of foolishness. Those who wish to know the Son of God not through faith but through a demonstration of signs will remain trapped in their disbelief, falling on the stumbling block of his death. It is no small wonder that the Jews, considering the death of Christ, thought he was merely a man, when even Christians—as they purport to be but really are not—because of his death are reluctant to declare the only begotten, the crucified, as incomparable majesty. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 1:23-24.

[2] PG 56:788.