Cyril of Jerusalem, Lecture 9

Cyril of Jerusalem

Lecture 9

https://www.swrktec.org/catechism

“Who is this that hides counsel from Me, and keeps words in his heart, and thinks to hide them from Me?” — Job 38:2-3

Summary: God cannot be seen with eyes of flesh; only the Son and Spirit see Him; if even the spiritual eyes of Prophets tremble at His glimpse, that which cannot be understood.  Yet we can see His works and glorify Him; rather than finding fault and cursing Him: for His works are truly amazing.

Preview: 1.  It is impossible to see God with eyes of flesh: only the Son [and Spirit] have truly seen Him; even Ezekiel only “saw the likeness of [His] glory”; whence, “he fell to earth from fear.”  If such a sight brought pain to the prophets, the rest of us would surely die: for God veils Himself from our sight.  He Who rends the heavens caused Ezekiel’s collapse; even Daniel fell down at the presence of the Angel Gabriel; we would have perished, had we seen Him.  2.  Yet, “from [His] works … it is possible to attain some conception of His power”, in proportion as God lifts men up: as Solomon testifies.  3.  So, “to comprehend the nature of God is impossible: for, as Ezekiel shows us, we cannot yet understand his description of the Cherubim, wheels, or throne; let alone understand Him who sits on that throne: the Invisible and Ineffable God: “but it is in our power to send up praises of His glory for His works that are seen.”  4.  “We Believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of All Things Visible and Invisible; in order that we may remember that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the same as He that made the heaven and the earth, and that we may make ourselves safe against the wrong paths of the godless heretics, who”, with the eyes of flesh are blinded.  5.  “What fault have they to find? … “They, who ought to have been struck with amazement on beholding the vaultings of the heavens….”  6.  But what?  Is there not cause to wonder … at the constitution of the sun?”  “… the Psalmist also says of them, Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night proclaims knowledge.  For to the heretics who have no ears, they all but cry aloud….”  7.  Tolerate none who say one is a “Creator of the light, and another of darkness;” who are vexed at that which brings rest to man, with wisdom, Psalms, prayers, remembrance of our sins.  Admit not such an evil thought: for night is also “good and useful”.  8.  The should have been astonished at sun and moon; more so by the stars: which mark seasons, navigation channels; which are not for astrology or [omens] of birth.  9.  Consider rain and clouds; wind and ice; snow like wool; mist like ashes: becoming wine in vines, oil in olives, grain for bread, and “fruits of all kinds.”  10.  “Should the Creator have been blasphemed?  [because of these wonders]  Or worshipped rather?”  because “of the unseen works of His wisdom.”  Admire also the reed, creepers, beasts, cattle, trees, food, gold, silver, brass, iron, stone, fish, and birds.  11.  [Admire] the “great wide sea”: its fishes, whales, amphibians; its breadth and depth; its force of waves; and Him Who sets its bounds.  12.  Who understands birds: some sing, others have colorful plumage, others soar?  Who understands their Maker?  13.  What man know the names of all beasts, or discerns their physiology?  “how shall we comprehend [their] Maker?”  For from one command sprang forth such a multitude, so many resembling man in some characteristic: industriousness, sloth, or some other.  14.  “Is not then the Artificer worthy the rather to be glorified?”  Does [Creation] immediately become useless?  Or does the usefulness of things continue?  “From this varied workmanship understand the Creator's power.”  15.  Consider your own nature.  Do you find fault with Him Who shaped your body?  The members are not the cause of sin; but, their wrong use.  How or where is a child made and nursed?  How does a boy become a youth, then a man: while no one notices the daily changes?  How is food part blood, and part flesh?  Explain the heart’s ceaseless motion; or the eyes; or how breath is distributed “to the whole body?”  16.  We have left out thousands of things, especially incorporeal and invisible, that you may abhor blasphemers; that you may love and worship the Creator of all.