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,”
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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;
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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.”
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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.”
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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,
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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.
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S.
John iv. 22
.
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S.
John iv. 6, 7
.
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S.
John iv. 22
.
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S.
John iv. 23
.
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S.
Matt. xxviii. 9
.