On John 2.23-25 and 3.1-5
OPPORTUNELY HAS THE LORD arranged for us on this day the sequence of this reading. For I trust that you, my beloved people, have noticed that we have undertaken to examine and discuss the gospel according to John in sequence. Opportunely, therefore, it has happened that you heard today from the gospel that "unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he will not see the kingdom of God."1 For it is the time for us to exhort you who are still catechumens, who believe in Christ in such a way that you still carry your own sins. But no one, burdened with sins, will see the kingdom of Heaven; for unless he has been forgiven them, he will not reign with Christ.
(2) But they cannot be forgiven except for him who has been born again of water and the Holy Spirit. But let us observe what all the words mean so that those who are slow to act may find here with what great solicitude they must hasten to put aside their burden. For if they were carrying some heavy pack, either of stone, or of wood, or of something even profitable, if they were carrying grain, wine, or money, they would run to put down their burdens. They are carrying a pack of sins and they are reluctant to run. One must run to put down this pack; it weighs [him] down and drowns [him].
2. Look, you heard that "when" the Lord Jesus Christ "was at Jerusalem at the Passover upon the feast day, many believed in his name, seeing the signs which he did." "Many believed in his name." And what follows? "But Jesus himself
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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: Tractates on the Gospel of John.
Volume: 2.
Contributors: John W. Rettig - Translator, Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo - Author.
Publisher: Catholic University of America Press.
Place of publication: Washington, DC.
Publication year: 1988.
Page number: 9.
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