Homilies on Exodus, Homilia V
How Gentiles should read the Law’s journey§1
1Paul, teacher of the nations in faith and truth, handed the Gentile church a way to read books of Law once foreign to them. He gives patterns of understanding so we may watch for like things. Israel’s departure is the soul’s schooling as it leaves the Egypt of the passions.
Latin · §1
Paulus doctor gentium tradidit ecclesiae quomodo libros legis advertere. Exempla intelligentiae dat, ut similia observemus. Profectio Istrahel — disciplina animae exeuntis de Aegypto vitiorum.
From Ramesse to Succoth§2
2The children of Israel set out from Rameses and came to Succoth. Leave the world’s noisy “Rameses” and pitch Succoth’s tents — the life of sojourners who no longer settle in Egypt’s brickworks.
Latin · §2
Elevantes filii Istrahel de Ramesse venerunt in Soccoth. Ramesses — tumultus tinearum / malitia saeculi; Soccoth — tabernacula. Exeuntes de tumultu ad peregrinationis tentoria tendimus.
Watch-tower and ascent§3
3Moses is told to look out as from a watch-tower. Ascent belongs to deeds; the lookout belongs to faith. Seeing Pharaoh’s host behind, the people must stand still and see the Lord’s salvation.
Latin · §3
Post haec Moyses iubetur adscendere et speculari. Adscensio ad actus, specula ad fidem. Qui prospicit hostem Pharaonis a tergo, orat et stat.
Following Moses — the Law — on the road§4
4If you walk this road following Moses — that is, God’s Law — you have the pillar of cloud and fire. Do not turn back to Egypt’s fleshpots; the rear-guard of Pharaoh still hopes you will.
Latin · §4
Si Moysen, id est legem Dei, sequens agas hoc iter, columnam nubis et ignis habebis. Recede a tergo Aegypti; noli redire ad ollas carnium.
Rod strikes the sea — Homilia V CLOSEOUT§5
5Moses is commanded to strike the sea with his rod so a dry path opens. It figures baptism: enemies sink, the people pass through baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Christ opens the way through water. Amen.
Latin · §5
Iubetur Moyses virga percutere mare ut via sicca populo fiat. Baptismi figura: hostes merguntur, populus transit. Christus aperit iter per aquam. Amen.