To Sistelius, On Leprosy
De lepra · Πρὸς Σίστελιον περὶ λέπρας
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Contents
- 1The dialogue opens: Sistelius invites Eubulius to explain the Law's rules on leprosy allegorically.
- 2The good seed of faith is planted by the Father; the saying about plants not planted by him does not support Gnostic classes of souls or Marcion's two gods.
- 3Eubulius sets out the texts of Leviticus 13 on leprosy in the skin and in garments.
- 4The Law's words on leprosy are coverings and shadows; those who understand Scripture only outwardly see bare walls, while spiritual understanding enters the holy of holies.
- 5The leprosy of the Law signifies sinful passions, which Christ commands us to root out at the seed, as with lustful looking and anger, and which must be shown to the priests.
- 6Each kind of leprosy is a vice; the sinner must show his sore to Christ in prayer and, if it persists, confess to the bishop, who may separate him from communion, examine him, and cast out the impenitent.
- 9In the law of leprous garments the warp is the mind, the woof the soul, and the skin the body; a sin that persists after repentance and confession to the bishop is a lasting leprosy that leads to Gehenna.
- 10Christ's law for his servants is to do the Father's will and keep watch with lamps burning, to enter the eternal bridal chamber.
- 11Man is spirit, soul, and flesh: heretics are leprous in spirit through false belief about Father, Word, or Spirit, while others are unclean in the flesh through pleasure.
- 12Sistelius recalls a learned woman in Lycia who taught that the seeker of Scripture's meaning must persevere, rising like Elijah through wind, earthquake, and fire to the still voice of the Spirit.
- 14The woolen garment is the renewed inner man clothed from Christ the Lamb, the linen the man of dust; some heretics are clean in life but leprous in faith.
- 15The Lord's garment is the church: the warp is bishops and teachers, the woof the people, the skin the catechumens; purified souls become virgins united to Christ.
- 16Christ purifies humanity as Joshua the high priest was given clean garments; the rich man in purple and the proud Pharisee show that outward finery displeases God, while the poor are to be honored.
- 17Usurious bishops and greedy laity are the leprous warp and woof of the church; Christ's teaching on wealth, enemies, and trust in the Father condemns them.
- 18Christians have become gluttonous and quarrelsome; the true shepherd must first correct himself before reproving others.