ACC ~ Matthew 5 v30

ON REJECTING BAD COUNSEL

AUGUSTINE: In this connection, I can think of no more fitting example than that of a dearly beloved friend, for that which we ardently love is certainly that which we may rightly call a member. And we may rightly call this member a counselor, for he is, as it were, an eye that shows the way, and because he is on the right side, we may rightly call him a counselor in divine matters. In this way, a friend on the left side is indeed a counselor, but a counselor in earthly matters, which pertain to the needs of the body. However, it would be superfluous to talk about him insofar as he may be an occasion of sin, since not even the friend on the right side is to be spared. But a counselor in divine matters is actually a stumbling block if, under the guise of religion and doctrine, he is trying to lead us into some pernicious belief. Let the right hand therefore be understood as a beloved helper and minister in divine works. For, just as contemplation is properly represented by the word eye, so action is rightly represented by the word hand. In this way, the left hand signifies the works that are necessary for this life and body. SERMON ON THE MOUNT 1.13.38. [1]

[1] PL 34:1248; FC 11:57*. If your spiritual advisor or minister or right hand becomes a stumbling block or leads to evil, cut off the relationship.

THINK OF THE RIGHT HAND AS THE WILL OF THE SOUL

ANONYMOUS: I believe that all these things [the eye and the hand and the foot] are spoken of in reference to the soul, as we said before. He speaks of the soul as an eye; that is, a mind through which the soul sees. On this he says in another place: “If your eye, is sound, your whole body will be full of light.” [1] This carnal eye without the soul is not an eye. It is the mirror of that interior eye: the mind. The body has its own mind, even as it has its own soul, according to the apostle’s words on the mind of the soul: “Therefore I myself with my mind serve the law of God but with my flesh the law of sin.” [2] Concerning the mind of the body, he says, “Puffed up by his mere human mind, such a one is not united to the Head.” [3] Likewise concerning the hand or the foot. He may be thinking of a person’s right hand as the will of the soul but the left hand as the will of the body. This bodily hand is not a literal hand but the organ of that hand. For unless the will moves it, whether for good or for evil, it is not moved at all. Thus a person’s right hand is the will of the soul, but the left hand is the will of the body. Hence the parts of the soul are referred to as “right” and the parts of the body as “left,” for the soul was created with its own authority, which gives it a tendency either to good or to evil. It was also created under the law of righteousness, that it might see what is right, hear what is right and act and walk accordingly. The parts of the body are referred to as “left,” since the flesh was not created with its own authority that it might tend to either good or to evil. It has become prone to evil under the law of sin, and it cannot see or hear or do what is right. Thus all holy people are referred to as “right” but sinners as “left.” INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 12. [4]

[1] Mt 6:22.

[2] Rom 7:25.

[3] Col 2:18-19.

[4] PG 56:695.