Sermones Ad Populum. Sermo Sancti Presbyteri Eraclii Discipuli Sancti Augustini

Sermon of the holy presbyter Eraclius, disciple of Saint Augustine, delivered in his presence. I think, brothers, that you perceive my burden; and I ask that you, by your fraternal prayers as by shoulders placed beneath, lift me up as I labor under so great a load. For the most blessed Father, who laid this weight upon me, I know does not cease to pray for me. For he would not oppress me by command alone and abandon me with pious prayer. Without doubt, brothers, he who ordered me to bear this, prays that I may bear it through. What then is it that he ordered, if not that ignorance should dare in the presence of wisdom, and inexperience speak while learning is silent? And since Scripture says, "Speak, elder; for it befits you" (Ecclus. 32:5), the Father says, "Speak, younger; for it pleases me." You know, brothers, that I had already begun to speak the word of God for you before now. For I recently undertook it, compelled by the necessity of the office, because I had no way to escape this duty. But it is easy for any disciple to fill the place of an absent master; it is, however, arduous and difficult to teach fellow disciples under a master, especially such a master, whose words have greater authority because his life accompanies his teaching tongue. For in every good that is instilled in us by the word of instruction, he precedes us by the example of his conduct. He precedes us, I say; would that we at least follow! For whatever we admire, venerate, and embrace in this man is then truly believed to be loved by us if we are not reluctant to imitate it.

Therefore, according to our limited capacity, let each of us stretch toward him, and, standing forth from the root of his heart, pluck the various branches of virtues as each of us is able. Whoever can, let him attain his eloquence; whoever cannot, let him hold to continence. Whoever can, let him fulfill his authority; whoever cannot, let him follow humility. Whoever can, let him grasp his knowledge; whoever cannot, let him imitate his patience. And on all the ways of the Lord, whoever can, let him walk with him; and whoever cannot, let him learn from him. Let us rejoice, brothers, that by the dispensation of divine gifts we have in him what we do not have in ourselves. For whatever we see in him is ours, if we love. Therefore, while he is silent, we speak. While he, I say, is silent, we speak. The cicada cries out, and the swan is silent; but it is not a fault for us who speak, because he himself speaks even in us. For if we say to you what we have learned from him, he himself teaches you, whether through himself or through me. Nevertheless, brothers, this task which he has imposed upon us, who are still small, is scarcely fulfilled by the great. But we should not already despair because we are small. For the Lord has blessed the small along with the great (Ps. 113:13). Very strong are the things demanded of us, and we are weak. We are weak, we are fragile, we are earthen; but what of it? It will please the Lord to place his treasure in an earthen vessel, so that we too may say with the apostle Paul, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor. 4:7).

For in his hand are we and our words (Wisdom 7:16), who gives the word to those who evangelize with great power (Psalm 67:12). For what do you think, brothers, that this steward, so wise, unless he knew that he had placed the Lord's treasure in us, would command you to dispense something? He is conscious of his own works; he is conscious of his pious labors: he knows how much he has seasoned me with the salt of the word. For he himself is the living salt of the earth, bearing the flavor of apostolic doctrine. But I fear that I have not drawn his seasoning into my uncultivated heart. He did well, therefore, in wishing to taste my discourse. He did well to examine how much of his own flavor he recognizes in me. For what else is to be thought, that among the other fathers and my fellow presbyters he especially ordered me to speak in his presence, which he previously was unwilling to do, except that, secure in their maturity and erudition, he wished to test my rudiments in this way? I obey, brothers, the more wholesome commands; I do not withdraw myself from him to whom I long ago entrusted myself to be nourished and taught in the Lord. Look, pious Father and good Master. Question my tongue, and let the affection of my heart bear witness to you. Whatever in my discourse pleases you, acknowledge, because it is yours; whatever, however, displeases you, forgive, because it is mine; but forgive in such a way that you correct; forgive in such a way that you punish.

Forgive me, for I have erred; punish me for having erred: and thus spare the man, not the error: until little by little everything that was not planted by you is left behind. But to speak rather with you, dearest ones, than with him, lest I in any way exceed the limits of my father's command—who ordered me to speak to you—in this I bid us consider the Apostle Paul, whose Epistle we just heard read. For when he was preparing the young Timothy for the divine mysteries and imbuing the youth's mind with heavenly teachings, he said, "Preach the word"; and a little later, "Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim. 4). Then if that one were to say, "I cannot," Paul would answer, "Why can you not, son? Have you not learned the sacred Scriptures from childhood?" (2 Tim. 3). This, brothers, cannot be said to me. For, as most of you know, I came here already hardened. For throughout the time of my boyhood—which the norm of teaching bends and directs more easily—I was occupied with other matters. But plainly, what must be confessed, after I came, the holy farmer worked upon me as much as he could, and he strove greatly to overcome our hardness. Neither rains nor seeds were ever lacking to me: and therefore now he who cast the seed demands the fruit. I pray that his grains have not degenerated in us: and that whatever, whether in words or in conduct, has proceeded from his cultivating and the Lord giving increase, may be not a thorn, but an ear of grain.

What therefore remains, dearest ones, let us together beseech him, that just as I have obeyed his commands beyond my strength, so he himself may not withdraw from the desire of us all, but after this sermon of ours may deign to speak to you even a few words; which, as you depart, may delight you to remember, and in recalling, may it not displease you to ruminate upon them salubriously. Nevertheless, lest I seem to have admonished Your Holiness with nothing, having consumed the entire sermon in excuse, hear me, brothers. Whatever you have always heard, and received, and learned from our Father, think upon these things, do these things; and the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:8-9). Amen.