In consecratione Eulalii Doarensium episcopi

Oration 13. On the Ordination of the Bishop of Doara, a Homology Published for Eulalius the Bishop. 1. Receive our discourse, brethren, even if it is very small, even if it falls far short of the worth; yet the Master God knows how to weigh mercy with just judgment; for he accepts both Paul's planting, as Paul's, and Apollo's watering, and the two mites of the widow, and the tax collector's humility, and Manasseh's confession. Receive a newly built discourse for a newly built shepherd; receive a voice of thanksgiving for the wonders that are seen. We are small and very insignificant among the sons of Israel; but nothing prevents even the small from giving thanks richly. Now the more perfect will certainly render the more perfect praise to God; we, however, will bring in what is according to our ability today. Therefore, sing to the Lord a new song; for he has done marvelous things. We were tossed by waves, we were warred against, we were driven out; some of the terrors were already present, others were imminent. But who turned the storm into a breeze? Who shattered the weapon, and the sword, and the war? Who received us, who were cast out and rejected? Was it not you, O God, who wrought these things? The Lord is mighty and powerful, the Lord is powerful in war.

2. This one divided the sea; this one turned a fugitive people in the desert, granting them an alien rain; this one made water flow from a rock; this one warred against Amalek, with a secret and mystical posture of the hands. For this is what the hands of a priest accomplished, raised on the mountain and formed in prayer, which many thousands could not accomplish. This one brought down walls without battle or war; and, to mention the last, this one brought down Goliath, who dared against the great David, the arrogant, the boastful, the descendant of giants. Therefore let us say with one accord: Blessed is the Lord, who did not give us as prey to their teeth; and, Our soul passed through a winter torrent; as a sparrow was saved from the snare of hunters; and whatever else a soul overjoyed at God's great bounty utters. We did not come to brandish a sword, but peace. We did not come to dishonor the great shepherd, who presides over the splendid city; we honor him, we acknowledge him as head, we call him holy, even when wronged; only let him be loving toward his children, and exercise forethought for the whole Church. We have procured an addition of priests, not a subtraction; a refutation of heretics, not a diminution of the orthodox. 3. What say you, O son of Dathan and Abiram, and unbridled general, who dared against Moses and laid hands on us, just as they laid tongues on the great servant? Did you not shudder? Were you not ashamed? Did your flesh not melt away while you were pondering these things? And then you raise these hands to God? And then you will offer gifts? And then you will pray for the people? I fear that the sword of God may at some time be whetted and remain still.

You have given no great gift to your shepherd, and you have deprived yourself of the greatest things, having alienated yourself from the grace of God. 4. But now, O best and most perfect of shepherds, come, and receive your people together with us and before us, whom the Holy Spirit entrusted to you, whom angels present, whom life and character have entrusted. And if you inherit the throne through trials and obstacles, do not be surprised; nothing great is untested, nothing is unexamined. For ease naturally follows lowly things, and difficulty follows lofty things. You have heard the one who said that we must enter the kingdom of heaven through many afflictions; say also yourself: We passed through fire and water, and you led us out into refreshment. O wonder! In the evening there was lamentation, and in the morning rejoicing. Let those who war and gape open bark in vain like dogs; but let us not be at war. Teach to worship God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, in three hypostases, in one glory and splendor. Seek out what is lost; strengthen what is weak; guard what is strong. We require of you as much distinction in spiritual matters as we have recognized in worldly matters. Receive the more perfect armor from the greater commanders, by which you will be able to quench the fiery arrows of the evil one, and present to the Lord a chosen people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom is glory for the ages. Amen.