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HOMILIES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
St Macarius the Great Resources Online and in Print
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33 Pages
Page 32
They came out of Egypt, as the Egyptians were burying their first-born. And they had joy upon their freedom from the hard bondage. But these had grief and wailing for the destruction of their children. All these things are the mystery of the soul, redeemed by the coming of CHRIST. If the soul groan and cry to GOD, he sends the spiritual Moses to deliver her from the bondage of the Egyptians. First, it cries and groans, and then does it obtain the beginning of its redemption. But then does he command that all the old leaven be purged out of every house, to cast out as much as possible all the actions and " devices of the old man, which is corrupt;" his wicked thoughts, and sordid conceptions.
The lamb ought to be slain and sacrificed, and the blood of it to stain the doors. For CHRIST, the true and immaculate Lamb, was slain, and with his blood are the thresholds of the heart anointed; that the blood of CHRIST, which Was shed upon the cross, might become life and redemption to the soul.
Then, after the anointing is over, he commandeth them at even to eat the lamb, being girt about with girdles, and shQd with sandals, having staves in their hands, For unless the soul be prepared as much as in her lies, she is not allowed to eat of the Lamb.
He brings the souls out of Egypt, and out of bondage, her first-born being slain in their coming out. For some part of the power of the spiritual Pharaoh is already fallen. Grief possesses the Egyptians; for they groan with grief at the salvation of the captives. Blessed is that soul which is redeemed from darkness! And wo be to that soul which does not cry and groan to him who is able to deliver her from those hard and bitter exactors. The children of Israel having kept the passover, depart. The soul advances forwards, having once received the life of the Holy Spirit, and tasted of the Lamb, and been anointed with his blood, and fed upon the true bread, the Living Word.
8. The pillar of fire and the pillar of the cloud go before, protecting them. The Holy Spirit supports these, cherishing them, and directing their souls in a sensible manner. Pharaoh, having knowledge that the people were fled, had the confidence, even after the slaughter of the first-born, to pursue after them, with the whole body of his people. How exact is the resemblance! when the soul has first made its escape, the power of GOD succors her, leading her into truth. But when the spiritual Pharaoh has notice that the soul is revolted, he pursues her hard with afflictions and temptations. Here is she tried; here is she tempted; here is her love towards him that brought her our of Egypt made manifest. She beholds the forces of the enemy coming upon her, and yet not having her in their power. For in the very midst, between: her and the Egyptians, does the Lord stand. Withal, she beholds before her the sea of affliction, and is unable to retire backward, having on that side also enemies ready prepared; nor yet can she advance forwards. She has therefore the sentence of death in her, by reason of the throng of the wicked spirits that surrounds her. Such is the way which GOD has appointed to lead to life, viz. To be in affliction, and in straits, and temptations; that thence the soul may afterwards make her way to the true land of the glory of the sons of God.
When therefore the soul has no hope in herself, through the overbearing affliction, and the death before her eyes in that very juncture does she, with a strong hand; an high arm, through the shining forth of the Holy Spirit, break through the power of darkness; and passes through, escaping out of the frightful places, and having shot through the sea of darkness, and the all-devouring fire.
These are the mysteries of the soul, which are brought to pass in the man who is industrious to come to the promise of life, and who is redeemed out of the kingdom of death, and made partaker of the Holy Spirit.
Reference address : https://www.elpenor.org/macarius/homilies.asp?pg=32
