Homilies on Joshua, Homilia IV
Creation serves the just at the Jordan§1
1On the crossing of the Jordan. To the sinner every creature is an enemy, as with the Egyptians — earth, river, air, and heaven fought them. For the just even impassable things are made level. The just crosses the Red Sea as on dry ground; the Egyptian sinks. In the desert food is served from heaven. At the Jordan the ark of the covenant leads; the priestly order stands; the waters check their course. You, Christian, who have passed Jordan’s streams in baptism’s sacrament, hear Paul promise still greater things: We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air. If you pass through fire, the flame will not burn you. Every creature serves the just — and these things are fulfilled mystically in you.
Latin · §1
De transitu Iordanis. Peccatori omnis creatura hostis est, sicut de Aegyptiis: terra fluvium aer caelum impugnabant. Iusto etiam inaccessibilia plana fiunt. Mare rubrum iustus per aridam transit; Aegyptius submergitur. In eremo cibus e caelis. In Iordane arca Testamenti dux; ordo sacerdotalis consistit; aquae cursum refrenant. Tibi Christiano per baptismi sacramentum Iordanis fluenta digressus, Paulus maiora promittit: Rapiemur in nubibus obviam Christo in aera. Si transeas per ignem, flamma non aduret te. Omnis creatura iusto famulatur — et in te mystice complentur.
From Egypt to baptism’s Jordan§2
2You who leave idolatry’s darkness to hear the divine law are leaving Egypt. Enrolled among the catechumens you have crossed the Red Sea and in the desert stations daily attend Moses’ face unveiled by the Lord’s glory. When you come to baptism’s mystic font with priestly and Levitical order standing by, and pass the Jordan, you will enter the land of promise, where after Moses Jesus becomes guide of a new road. Mindful of God’s mighty acts you will say: What ails you, O sea, that you fled? And you, O Jordan, that you turned back?. The word answers: At the Lord’s presence the earth trembled.
Latin · §2
Qui idolatriae tenebris derelictis ad audientiam legis accedis, Aegyptum derelinquis. Catechumenis aggregatus mare rubrum digressus es et in deserto Moysi vultum revelatum cotidianis vacas. Si ad mysticum baptismi fontem veneris sacerdote et Levitico ordine consistente, Iordane digresso terram repromissionis intrabis, ubi post Moysen Iesus novi itineris dux. Memor virtutum Dei dices: Quid tibi est mare quod fugisti? et tu Iordanis quia conversus es retrorsum? Respondebit: A facie Domini commota est terra.
Jesus exalted at the Jordan§3
3How much came before! Red Sea crossed, manna given, springs opened, law given — and nowhere is Jesus said to be exalted. When the Jordan is crossed, God says: This day I begin to exalt you in the sight of the people. Jesus is not exalted before baptism’s mystery; all who are baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into his death, and that death is completed in the cross’s lifting up. God exalted him and gave him the name above every name. Part of Jordan’s water runs to the salt sea, part stays sweet — a figure of the baptized: those who return to the world’s salt perish in bitter waves; those who keep God’s gift hold their sweetness. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. When do we come to Jordan’s crossing? When priests bear the ark and the people hasten — then Jesus is exalted in the people’s sight. To him be glory. Amen.
Latin · §3
Quanta ante gesta! Mare transitum, manna, fontes, lex — et nusquam exaltatus Iesus. Ubi Iordanis transitur: In hac die incipio exaltare te. Neque enim ante mysterium baptismi exaltatur Iesus; baptizati in morte ipsius baptizantur, mors in crucis exaltatione completur. Exaltavit illum Deus et donavit nomen super omne nomen. Pars aquarum in mare salsum, pars dulcis permanet — baptizatorum varietas: qui ad saeculi salsum redeunt pereunt; qui munus Dei tenent dulcedinem servant. Unus Dominus, una fides, unum baptisma. Quando ad transitum Iordanis? Cum sacerdotes arcam portant et populus festinat — tunc Iesus exaltatur in conspectu populi. Cui gloria. Amen.