Chapter IV.

It is objected by heretics that Christ offered worship to His Father. But instead it is shown that this must be referred to His humanity, as is clear from an examination of the passage. However, it also offers fresh witness to His Godhead, as we often see it happening in other actions that Christ did.

48. But if any one were to say that the Son worships God the Father, because it is written, “Ye worship ye know not what, we know what we worship,”917    S. John v. 19.    S. John iv. 22. let him consider when it was said, and to whom, and to whose wishes it was in answer.

49. In the earlier verses of this chapter it was stated, not without reason, that Jesus, being weary with the journey, was sitting down, and that He asked a woman of Samaria to give Him drink;918    S. John v. 19.    S. John iv. 6, 7. for He spoke as man; for as God He could neither be weary nor thirst.

50. So when this woman addressed Him as a Jew, and thought Him a prophet, He answers her, as a Jew who spiritually taught the mysteries of the Law: “Ye worship ye know not what, we know what we worship.” “We,” He says; for He joined Himself with men. But how is He joined with men, but according to the flesh? And to show that He answered as being incarnate, He added: “for salvation is of the Jews.”919    i.e. that the Father is not a Spirit (S. John iv. 24) but exists in bodily shape.    S. John iv. 22.

51. But immediately after this He put aside His human feelings, saying: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father.”920    S. John xiv. 6.    S. John iv. 23. He said not: “We shall worship.” This He would certainly have said, if He had a share in our obedience.

52. And when we read that Mary worshipped Him,921    1 Cor. i. 24.    S. Matt. xxviii. 9. we ought to learn that it is not possible for Him under the same nature both to worship as a servant, and to be worshipped as Lord; but rather that as man He is said to worship among men, and that as Lord He is worshipped by His servants.

53. Many things therefore we read and believe, in the light of the sacrament of the Incarnation. But even in the very feelings of our human nature we may behold the Divine Majesty. Jesus is wearied with His journey, that He may refresh the weary; He desires to drink, when about to give spiritual drink to the thirsty; He was hungry, when about to supply the food of salvation to the hungry; He dies, to live again; He is buried, to rise again; He hangs upon the dreadful tree, to strengthen those in dread; He veils the heaven with thick darkness, that He may give light; He makes the earth to shake, that He may make it strong; He rouses the sea, that He may calm it; He opens the tombs of the dead, that He may show they are the homes of the living; He is made of a Virgin, that men may believe He is born of God; He feigns not to know, that He may make the ignorant to know; as a Jew He is said to worship, that the Son may be worshipped as true God.

CAPUT IV.

Objiciebatur ab haereticis Christum Patri adorationem exhibuisse. At reponitur et hoc referendum ad humanitatem, ut ex loci examine manifestatur: illic tamen addita esse divinitatis testimonia, quod in aliis etiam Christi operibus factum videmus.

49. [Alias cap. II.] Quod si quis dicat quoniam Deum Patrem adorat et Filius, quia scriptum est: Vos adoratis quod nescitis, nos adoramus quod scimus (Joan. IV, 22); consideret quando, et apud quem, et 0659D cujus suscepto loquatur affectu.

50. Denique et in superioribus non immerito praemissum est, quia Jesus fatigatus ex itinere sedebat, et a Samaritana bibere postulabat; quia secundum carnem hominis loquebatur: nam secundum divinitatem nec fatigari poterat, nec sitire (Ibid. VI, 7).

51. Deinde cum Samaritana quasi Judaeum appellaret, et prophetam putaret; quasi Judaeus qui spiritaliter 0660A mysteria Legis doceret, respondit: Vos adoratis quod nescitis, nos adoramus quod scimus. Nos, inquit, hoc est, se hominibus copulavit. Quomodo autem nisi secundum carnem hominibus copulatur? Et ut ostenderet quia secundum incarnationem responderat, addidit: Quia salus ex Judaeis est (Ibid. 22).

52. Sed statim post hoc sequestravit hominis affectum, dicens: Veniet hora, et nunc est, quando veri adoratores adorabunt Patrem (Ibid., 23). Non dixit: Adorabimus. Quod utique dixisset, si consortium nostri subiret obsequii.

53. Verum cum legerimus quod Maria adoravit eum (Matth. XXVIII, 9), intelligere debemus quod non potest per eamdem naturam et adorare quasi servus, et adorari quasi Dominus: sed potius quia 0660B ut homo inter homines adorare dicitur, et quasi Dominus a famulis adoratur.

54. Multa ergo secundum incarnationis legimus et credimus sacramentum, sed in ipsa 561 naturae humanae affectione majestatem licet spectare divinam. Fatigatur ex itinere Jesus, ut reficiat fatigatos: petit bibere, sitientibus potum spiritalem daturus: esurit, cibum salutis esurientibus traditurus: moritur, vivificaturus: sepelitur, resurrecturus: tremulo pendet in ligno, confirmaturus trementes: coelum caligine obducit, ut illuminet: terras tremefacit, ut solidet: maria conturbat, ut mitiget: reserat tumulos mortuorum, ut ostendat domicilia esse vivorum: creatur ex Virgine, ut ex Deo natus esse credatur: nescire se simulat, ut scire faciat nescientes: adorare 0660C quasi Judaeus dicitur, ut quasi verus Deus Filius adoretur.