Homilies on Isaiah, Homilia I
When Uzziah dies, Isaiah sees the Lord§1
1First vision: In the year King Uzziah died I saw the Lord seated on a high throne. As long as Uzziah lived Isaiah could not see — Uzziah the sinner who entered the temple and was struck with leprosy on the forehead. Such a prince of the soul must die if we are to see God’s vision. If Uzziah lives we do not see God’s glory; when he dies we see. Let not sin reign in your mortal body — those loving pleasure rather than God.
Latin · §1
Visio prima: Factum est in anno quo mortuus est Ozias rex, vidi Dominum sedentem super solium excelsum. Quamdiu Ozias vixit, videre non potuit Isaias — Ozias peccator ingressus templum lepra in fronte. Talem principem animae oportet mori ut visionem Dei videamus. Si Ozias vivit, non videmus gloriam Dei; si moritur, videmus. Non regnet peccatum in mortali corpore — amantes voluptatem magis quam Deum.
High throne and the house full of glory§2
2I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and lifted up. Not everyone who sees the Lord sees him on a high throne — Daniel saw thrones set; in Jehoshaphat’s valley he sits to judge. God is seen above or below according to the matter’s worth. The house was full of his glory — not this earthly fullness of God’s glory.
Latin · §2
Vidi Dominum sedentem super thronum excelsum et elevatum. Non omnis qui videt Dominum videt eum in throno excelso — Daniel throni positi; in valle Iosaphat iudicaturus. Aliquando Deus sursum aliquando deorsum iuxta dignitatem. Plena domus gloria eius — non haec terrena plenitudo gloriae Dei.
Seraphim cry Holy Holy Holy§3
3Seraphim stood about him, six wings to each. With two they veiled God’s face, with two his feet, with two they flew. They cried Holy, Holy, Holy — Trinity’s mystery. Origen reads the two Seraphim as the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They cover the face — God’s beginning unknown; the feet — the last things incomprehensible; only the middle is seen. Glory to the Trinity. Amen.
Latin · §3
Seraphim stabant in circuitu, sex alae uni. Duabus velabant faciem Dei, duabus pedes, duabus volabant. Clamabant: Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus — mysterium Trinitatis. Haec duo Seraphim Dominus Iesus et Spiritus sanctus. Operiebant faciem — exordium Dei ignotum; pedes — novissimum incomprehensibile; sola media videntur. Gloria Trinitati. Amen.