The first part concerns the probatic pool of Jerusalem, with the following subdivision to explain (queritur) three secrets (secreta) that explain its healing power.
a) virtus sancte crucis et passionis Ihesu Christi (the Passion and the legend about the Cross - Legenda crucis)
b) virtus baptisimi (baptism)
c) virtus confessionis (confession) (f. r2r)
The five porches of the pool symbolize five types of sin, namely: “cogitatio, locutio, operatio, omissio, obstinatio” (f. r2v) [note the resemblance with the Confiteor in the liturgy].
Second part
Why was only one healed among all the sick people present at the pool? He was the only with a good disposition, i.e. who had full confidence in Jesus. God's liberality did not lack, but the other people did not have the right disposition (classic exemplum: the sun is there, only if you open the window it can enter), for the same reason Jews, infidels and Saracens do not convert today, since they prefer to remian in the prison of Moses and Muhammad: “Ecce qua est ratio quare non illuminat iudeos vel alios infideles, quia sunt et volunt essere in carcere Moysi, vel saracenorum, qui volunt essere in carcere Machometi, et sic de aliis” (f. r2v - noteworthy the parallel Moises / Mohammad. The episode shows also the necessity of the baptism (symbolized by the pool) for the salvation, yet with the possibility of the baptism of desire, here defined a baptism in fire, i.e. provided by the Holy Spirit: “Sed quid de infideli qui vult omnino baptizari et hoc desiderat et affectat, sed non posset ire quia forte occiditur vel moritur? Idem de infirmo qui non potet ire, quia vel claudus vel iacet in lecto, et nemo vult eum baptizare. Dicendum quod in tali casu talis sanatur a Christo, sicut iste fuit sanatus a Christo, et baptizatur baptisimo flaminis, id est spiritussancti” (f. r3r).
The same reasoning applies to contrition, with the discussion of the cases in which one cannot confess since he/she would risk being killed, but has contrition and desire to be confessed. Exemplum of a sinner who repented while listening a sermon against lust, she started weeping and felt for the sorrow and died; the people around her felt sorry for her, since she died without confession, so the preacher invite everyone to pray for her (“Bona gens, orate deum pro ea…”) since she showed at least contrition, and a voice from the sky not only reassured everyone about her destiny but invited to ask for her intercession, proving how faith and contrition are enough to be saved: ““Frater (sic) non oretis deum per ista, sed oretis eam ut oret pro vobis, quia ipsa est in paradiso” Videatis ergo quod ista non venit ad piscina confessionis, sed fides et contritio sufficiunt”.
Third part
The goal is to heal not only the body but also the soul (reference to the Glossa, he was sick since he was a sinner). Hence the order not to sin again, that is, to avoid relapsing, for this reason, after confession, the medicine of penance is given. Final appeal to confession, using first person plural: “Itaque bona gens omnes infirmi sumus, veniamus ergo ad piscinam ut mundemur per penitentiam, ut sanemur ab omnibus infirmitatibus et peccatis nostris et per consequens veniamus ad gloriam” (f. r3v).
... only the body but also the soul (reference to the _
Glossa
_, he was sick since he was a sinner). Hence the order...
3/6/17
T19/Sab Saturday after Invocavit
Vicent Ferrer
Introduction
Based on the thema, the simile between listening the word of God and a tent: “In sacra scriptura doctrine evangelice devote audite et auscultare tabernacula vocantur”. Soldiers build the tends for three reasons: “Et prima ratio est pre ardore solis et hoc causa refrigerandi. Secunda contra venti impetum pro securitate. Tertia contra pluvium protegendo” (f. r3v). Similarly, the doctrine of the Gospel, when listened carefully, protects from the ardent carnal passions (lust and greed), from the wind of temptations; from the deluge of worldly sin. Based of the discussion is Isaiah 4.6.
Division based on the Gospel pericope
Firts part
Brief explanation of the pericope. It underlines how Elijah was not dead but was in Eden waiting for the time of his preaching against the Antichrist. It recalls that, according to Luke, Jesus discussed with him and Moses about his Passion and how it is determined by God’s overabundant mercy. Two secrets (secreta): why the transfiguration; why there are these three disciples and two saints from the Old Testament. In general, a valid number of witnesses was required. In specific, the three apostles were the closest to Jesus: Peter was already the pope (“erat iam papa constitutus”); James the future first martyr; John was elected to take care of the Virgin and the beloved disciple. Why Moses between the patriarchs, and why Elijah and not Enoch? “Questio est insoluta […] doctrinas varias”. Among the various opinions, Ferrer takes the one in which they were those who did 40 days of fasting, so the Christians (we) need to fast during Lent so to experience the transfiguration on Easter by means of holy communion (eucharist): “In quo clare patet quantum placet deo sacrum hoc ieiunium quadragesime. Ideo debemus ieiunare quadragesimam, et in die Pasche erimus in transfiguratione, scilicet communicando et poterimus dicere cum apostolo Paulo: Nos autem omnes revelata facie gloriam dei, speculantes in eadem imaginem transformamur a claritate in claritatem tanquam a domini spiritu (2 Cor 3). Nota hic quomodo Christus Moyses et Helyas ieiunaverunt quadragesimam”. Jesus did a Lent in prayer; Moses in listening (applied to mass and preaching): and Elijah walking (applied to go to church and to acquire indulgence). They set a clear example: “Sic nos ad instar Christi debemus vacare orantionibus […] Secundo ad instar Moysi audire missas, sermones […] Tercio ad instar Helye ambulare et ieiunare itinerado […] hoc est visitando ecclesias, quia in omnibus sunt multe indulgentie, et post ire ad vesperas et in posterum in pascha eritis digni habere gloriam paradisi” (f. r4rv).
Second part
The placid acceptance (placida acceptio) – implies of the Passion – since he already foretasted heaven. Peter suggested three tents thinking of coupling the people in this way: Moses and John; Elijah and James, Jesus and Peter. A quite developed semi-dramatic section that imagines Moses back to the limbo where he announces what has happen (and so, the upcoming liberation), while Elijah goes back to Eden and speaks with Enoch, who ask also why he was not invited, with the answer that insists again on fasting: “O, cur ego non ivi? O, cur ego non fui?”. Tunc potuisset respondere: Quia non ieiunasti”.
Spiritual interpretation of why Jesus did not answer to Peter's request. If the Glossa says that it was an irrational question, Ferrer suggests a deeper meaning, namely that Peter was asking to enter into glory and what happens next indicates the five necessary stages of this journey: cloud = penance; voice of God = obedience; fall to the ground = fear; the approaching of Christ = the day of the final judgment (for this reason Christ tells them: "Surgite"); seeing Christ alone = only God is in full glory.
Third part (extremely brief)
Christ did not want the transfiguration to be revealed to the other apostles and disciples to avoid them to be even more scandalized by the sufferings of his Passion. However, Ferrer suggests that (“credo tamen...”) John was allowed to tell the Virgin about it [which source? Check the Meditationes Vitae Christi]
... why Jesus did not answer to Peter's request. If the
Glossa
says that it was an irrational question, Ferrer suggests...