Letter 5005: Item ad eundem de Iudaeis conversis per Avitum episcopum Arvernum

To Gregory, on Jews Converted by Bishop Avitus of Clermont To my holy lord, worthy to be proclaimed for his apostolic merits, my dear lord and father in Christ, Bishop Gregory — Fortunatus sends greetings. You prod me, most excellent father, with serious eagerness though with genuine sweetness, to speak in verse — I who am tongueless in poetry — and to run in pedestrian meter and at least touch gracefully, if not elegantly, on the praise of the praiseworthy and apostolic lord Bishop Avitus, from the occasion that has arisen. Since you have not found in me what the elegance of expression would demand — but rather what you would erase — and since, as I am conscious of myself, you have with us not something to approve so much as to disapprove: especially when the urgent bearer, with words falling one by one from my gaping mouth, like a harsh debt-collector, forces me not so much to pay the interest as to be weighed. Under which pressure, though his hurried journey drove him on and I was scarcely allowed to breathe while panting — still, to your commands, though tangled in their haste, I obey devoutly rather than please, attributing the fault — I know not whether more to you or to the time — that this was imposed on one who had neither method nor space within himself. But in the obedience of the compliant, in the servitude of the devoted, what is commanded by you in love for the praise of the said bishop, let it be sung in honor. [Verse:] In your venerable servants, rich Worker, it is fitting that your praise, O Christ, should always sound: inspiring the soul, providing will and fulfillment, and without whom no good thing can prevail. With clear light making fruitful the hearts of prophets, that holy inner parts may bear faith for the peoples — placed upon the lampstand, from whose gleaming mouth the nurturing house may shine, flashing with the fire of doctrine — and as the eye of the head directs the limbs, so may the holy care of the shepherd govern the sheep. Enriching the hearts of bishops with heavenly power, O God almighty, highest, eternal summit — Holy Spirit, poured into the lips of sacred Avitus, you speak through your servant, that the order of the flock may grow. He, not content with the number he received from the Lord, this steward of the Lord brings back doubled talents. For the Arvernian people, split by a twofold tumult, dwelling in one city, were not one in faith. The bitter odor of the Jew recoiled from the Christians, and an impious crowd obstructed the holy rites. A stiff neck, refusing to bear the yoke of the Lord, so does the swollen skin puff up with vain spirits. The bishop often warned them in the love of God, that a harvest of the converted might go up to the stars. But the shadow, lying down under a darkened veil, pressing on blackened hearts, forbids them to see the clear. And so the day came when the Lord was returned to the stars and man, suspended, went the starry way: the people, armed with faith, tore down the Jewish temple, and a field appeared where the synagogue had been. When Christ's power returned to the heights, what he ascended, the enemy's thing collapsed. Yet the bishop addressed those rebels against the law of Moses with gentle words, though anger had made them fierce: "What are you doing, O Jewish band, unlearned old ones? That you may renew your life, learn, elders, to believe. Let your milk-white old age taste greater things than youth; put aside the heavy mind where childishness was. Let it not shame you to follow better things even late: declining in body, let the old grow in honor. There is God — high faith — one in three and three in one: in three proper persons one summit stands. For the Father and the Son and likewise the Holy Spirit: so for the three there is one right, one work, one order, one throne. The lawgiver proclaims this; the patriarch Abraham believes it: thence he is our father, because this is our faith. He sees three equals, worships one with veneration; he asks one with his voice, he washes three with his basin. Do you refuse? Or do you recall what David's reed proclaims and what the prophetic virgin's offspring does? Pierced on the cross, he hung by palms and feet, but his flesh was not corrupted in the tomb. Returning after three days, he heals us of the long wound: that he has gone back to heaven — this day itself is witness. Believe my words or believe your own, convicted old age; if you flee and tremble, you are not reading even what you read. We draw out a long word in the time of brevity: either admit the prayers or, I beg, yield the place. No force presses you here — gather yourself free wherever you wish: either be my follower or go as your own fugitive. Tenant, give back the place; take your contagion with you: or let this be the seat, if one faith holds it." These holy words the bishop gave the men with gentle mouth, that each heart's path might go where it wished. But the Jewish band, rebellious with stimulated fury, is gathered, seized, and confined in a house. When the Christians saw the troop of Manzara joining, they immediately leapt to where that treachery was hiding. Ambassadors ran to the bishop bearing messages: "We, the Jewish band, are now your fold. That they not perish, win for God those who can live; if there is delay, we die and your gain falls. Stretch out your step quickly: unless you hasten in swift course, the deaths of your children will be yours to mourn, father." Conquered by these tears, the bishop is snatched away in pity, to bring the help of salvation duly to the afflicted. They reach the place where the fierce crowd lay hidden, enclosed, which, running out, pours forth prayers with tears from its mouth: "Slow is the mind for good in one holding to Jewish rights; late does he see the light as day passes by. So from the eyes of the heart a veil has been stretched from the beginning: blind, he does not know where the right road calls. But at last we follow, shepherd, where you so often urged — you who compel your sheep to run by salt so sweet. Believing, believe us now yours and not deceiving with falsehoods; we seek the washing — let the pool be ready for you. We have felt by its effect what you were doing rightly in prayer: that through you as man, God himself admonishes us." Then he draws to the light those who had been covered by denying shadow, and the King was opening the way of a new service. Armies once divided come together under one banner, and from two sides God's one love is made. From here the wool of the sheep is drenched with the oil of chrismation, and by the sacred sprinkling the flock takes on a new fragrance. Look — the day was at hand when the nurturing Spirit from on high, sent, flowed into the mouths of the apostolic men. The sacred event stirs country folk and city people alike, and they compete to wear a path to the holy festival. The Jewish odor is washed away in divine baptism and a new offspring rises, restored from the waters. Conquering the ambrosial dews with its sweet breath, the fragrance of chrism breathes forth from the anointed head. In immense numbers a new Easter is celebrated, and from the stock of the wolf, sheep are generated. People received people, congregation received congregation: one who is not parent by birth becomes parent by the font. From every hand a snatched wax light provokes the stars; you would believe the stars went trailing their tresses. Here the milky color of the vestment, here the splendor of the candle is drawn, and the day is painted with varied light — no less festive than that gleaming day which gave the gift of speaking in diverse tongues. What, I ask, was the feeling of Bishop Avitus then? What powerful fervor, as he gave these things to God? Among the candelabras the bishop himself radiated, gleaming as the Spirit's fire was poured out within. What was he to himself then, bearing such true whole-offerings, when it pleased him to offer a living sacrifice to the living God? If the patriarch pleased because he offered one son, he who offers so many — how pleasing will he be? What Moses could not do — subject them to our faith — he who wins them for Christ: what gift will be his? He poured out aromatic libation at the Lord's altar and sent a new incense to the stars for God. He obtained his prayer, because he joined the fold under one, and from the snow-white flock the shepherd has his joys. Count these rough things to yourself, kindly father Gregory — you who command Fortunatus to attempt what is beyond his power. Add that the urgent bearer pressed me, small as I am, and scarcely a doubled day is given in the time allowed. We know that you act rather from the affection with which you love him — the one whom you always see in your heart and hold on your lips. Nor is this enough for you, that you yourself are his reporter: you compel others to applaud him too with their voice. It was not in vain that he advanced you as his own: so you repay faith with mind and exchange with love. May the Almighty grant that through long ages memorably you may be his praise, and he may be yours. Remember me too, both of you, humble as I am, and for the hope of pardon lend me your voices' help.

V Item ad eundem de Iudaeis conversis per Avitum episcopum Arvernum DOMINO SANCTO ET MERITIS APOSTOLICIS PRAECONANDO DOMNO ET IN CHRISTO PATRI GREGORIO PAPAE FORTVNATVS. Instigas; pater optime, seria curiositate, sincera tamen dulcedine, carmine elinguem proloqui et currere pigrum versu pedestri atque de laude laudabilis et apostolici viri domni Aviti pontificis ex eventu occasionis inlatae etsi non aliqua compte, saltim comiter praelibare; cum in me non inveneris quod dictionis luculentia diligeres, sed deleres et, ut ipse mei sum conscius, habeas apud nos non quod tam probes quam reprobes: praesertim cum instans portitor per verba singillatim hianti fauce cadentia quasi gravis exactor non me tam fenora solvere cogeret quam pensaret. (2) Sub quo, licet illum praeceps iter inpingeret, mihi interanhelanti vix licuerit respirare, tamen praeceptis vestris, licet inpliciter expeditis, paremus devoti potius quam placemus, vobis reputaturi nescio magis an tempori, quod illi hoc iniungitur qui non habebat apud se nec modum nec spatium. sed obsequella morigeri, servitute devoti, quod a vobis in laude praedicti pontificis amore praecipitur, honore cantetur. In venerabilibus famulis operator opime. condecet ut semper laus tua, Christe, sonet: inspirans animum, votum effectumque ministrans, et sine quo nullum praevalet esse bonum. lumine perspicuo fecundans pectora vatum, ut populis generent viscera sancta fidem, supra candelabrum positi, quorum ore corusco dogmatis igne micans luceat alma domus, et velut est oculus capitis qui dirigit artus, sic pia pastoris cura gubernet oves; pectora pontificum ditans virtute superna, tu deus omnipotens, summe, perennis apex, spiritus alme, sacri labiis infusus Aviti, per famulum loqueris, crescat ut ordo gregis. qui non contentus numero quem accepit ab illo vilicus hic domini dupla talenta refert. plebs Arverna etenim, bifido discissa tumultu, urbe manens una non erat una fide. Christicolis Iudaeus odor resilibat amarus obstabatque piis impia turba sacris. extollens cervix domini iuga ferre recusans, sic tumidis animis turget inane cutis. quos in amore dei monitabat saepe sacerdos, ut de conversis iret ad astra seges. sed caligosi recubans velaminis umbra pectora taetra premens cernere clara vetat. venerat ergo dies, dominus qua est redditus astris ac homo sidereum pendulus iit iter: plebs armante fide Iudaica templa revellit et campus patuit quo synagoga fuit. tempore quo Christi repedavit ad alta potestas, ille quod ascendit, res inimica ruit. hic tamen antistes Moysei lege rebelies adloquitur blande, quos dabat ira truces: ῾ quid facis, o Iudaea cohors nec docta vetustas? ut vitam renoves, credere disce senes. lactea canities sapiat maiora iuventae; sensum pone gravem quo puerile fuit. non pudeat meliora sequi vel tarda veternos: corpore deficiens crescat honore senes. èst deus, alta fides, unus trinus et trinus unus : personis propriis stat tribus unus apex. nam pater et genitus, quoque sanctus spiritus idem: sic tribus est unum ius opus ordo thronus. legifer hoc reboat, patriarcha hoc credit Abraham: hinc pater est nobis, est quia nostra fides. tres videt aequales, unum veneratus adorat; unum voce rogat, tres quoque pelve lavat. sic patruo similis Loth suscipit hospes euntes; quos cibat in Sodomis, hi rapuere Segor, cum a domino dominus pluit igni triste Gomorrae: filius et pater est, a domino dominus. qui tuus, ipse meus stat conditor atque creator: huius plasma sumus, qui est trinitate deus. unius estis oves, heu, cur non uniter itis? sit rogo grex unus, pastor ut unus adest. rennuis? an recolis quod canna Davitica pangit quodque prophetali virgine fetus agit? in cruce transfixus palmis pedibusque pependit, sed corrupta caro non fuit ex tumulo; post triduum remeans sanat nos vulnere longo: quod rediit caelis, testis et ista dies, crede meis aut crede tuis, convicta senectus; si fugis ac trepidas, nec legis ista legens. protrahimus verbum brevitatis tempore longum: aut admitte preces aut, rogo, cede loco. vis hic nulla premit, quo vis te collige liber: aut meus esto sequax aut tuus ito fugax. redde, colone, locum, tua duc contagia tecum : aut ea sit sedes, si tenet una fides᾿. haec pia verba viris miti dedit ore sacerdos, ut sibi quo libeat semita cordis eat. ast Iudaea manus, stimulante furore rebellis, colligitur, rapitur, conditur inde domo. Christicolae ut cernunt tunc agmina Manzara iungi, protinus insiliunt qua latet ille dolus. si fremerent, gladiis sentirent iusta cadentes: vivere quo possint aut daret arma fides, legati occurrunt vati mandata ferentes: ῾nos Iudaea manus iam tua caula sumus. ne pereant, adquire deo qui vivere possunt; si mora fit, morimur et tua lucra cadunt. tende celer gressum: properes nisi praepete cursu, funera natorum sunt tibi flenda, pater᾿. fletibus his victus rapitur miserando sacerdos, ut ferat adflictis rite salutis opem. perveniunt quo clausa loco fera turba latebat, quae occurrens lacrimis ingerit ore preces: ῾mens est tarda boni Iudaica iura tenenti, lucem sero videt praetereunte die. sic oculis cordis velum est ab origine tensum, caecus ut ignoret quo via recta vocet. sed tandem sequimur, pastor, quo saepe monebas, qui sale tam dulci currere cogis oves. credentes iam crede tuos nec fallere falsis; nos lavacrum petimus, sit tibi praesto lacus. sensimus effectu quod agebas rite precando, quod per te hominem nos deus ipse monet᾿. hinc trahit ad lucem quos texerat umbra negantes militiaeque novae rex aperibat iter. agmina conveniunt quondam diversa sub unum, partibus et geminis fit deus unus amor. hinc oleare ovium perfunditur unguine vellus aspersuque sacro fit gregis alter odor. ecce dies aderat qua spiritus almus ab alto missus apostolicis fluxit in ora viris. res sacra ruricolas, urbanos excitat omnes certatimque aditus ad pia festa terunt. abluitur Iudaeus odor baptismate divo et nova progenies reddita surgit aquis. vincens ambrosios suavi spiramine rores vertice perfuso chrismatis efflat odor. ingenti numero celebratur pascha novellum ac de stirpe lupi progenerantur oves. excepit populus populum, plebs altera plebem : germine qui non est, fit sibi fonte parens. undique rapta manu lux cerea provocat astra, credas ut stellas ire trahendo comas. lacteus hinc vestis color est, hinc lampade fulgor ducitur et vario lumine picta dies, nec festiva minus quam tunc fuit illa coruscans, diversis linguis quae dedit una loqui. quis, rogo, pontificis fuit illic sensus Aviti? quam validus fervor, cum daret ista deo? inter candelabros radiabat et ipse sacerdos, diffuso interius spiritus igne micans. tum sibi qualis erat, tam vera holocausta ferendo, cum libeat vivo hostia viva deo? si patriarcha placet, quoniam natum obtulit unum, qui tantos offert quam placiturus erit? Moyses non valuit fidei quos subdere nostrae qui Christo adquirit, quod sibi munus erit? fudit aromaticum domini libamen ad aram incensumque novum misit ad astra deo. obtinuit votum, quia iunxit ovile sub uno, et grege de niveo gaudia pastor habet. – Haec inculta tibi reputa, pater alme Gregor, qui Fortunato non valitura iubes; adde quod exiguum me portitor inpulit instans et datur in spatiis vix geminata dies, novimus, affectu potius quo diligis illum hinc quem corde vides semper et ore tenes. hoc tibi nec satis est, huius quod es ipse relator: conpellis reliquos plaudere voce sibi. non fuit in vacuum, quod te provexit alumnum: sic cui mente fidem, reddis amore vicem. annuat omnipotens, longo memoraliter aevo ut tu laus illi, laus sit et ille tibi. me quoque vos humilem pariter memoretis utrique et pro spe veniae voce feratis opem.