medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear List
As a medievalist may we often shake our head or have a good laugh, but it
is not our mission to rewrite the course of history. Nobody in the 14th
cent. claimed that the Visitation actually took place on 2 July!!
So please hold the anachronistic face of the 'Besserwisser' - we probably
all agree, but for what purpose?
It is far better to read the book itself, than books about the books.
To understand the liturgy of the feast of the Visitation as composed in
1389 does it help to see on what sources the Franciscans based their
liturgy: St.John Chrysostomos and St.Ambrosius. (And first here does it get
really weird and mystical!)
The lessons in the Roman Breviary in English on 2 July:
Sermon of St. John Chrysostom
(In Metaphrastes: July)
[Lesson iv.] When the Redeemer of our race was approaching us, he went
without delay to his friend John, while he was still in his mother's womb.
When John in the one womb perceived him in the other, shaking the barriers
of nature he cried out: I see the Lord, who has set the barriers of nature,
and I do not wait for the due season of my birth. That period of nine
months is not necessary for me. I will go forth from this gloomy
tabernacle; I will proclaim my manifold knowledge of marvellous things. I
am a sign:
I will show forth the coming of Christ. I am a trumpet: I will make known
the dispensation of the Son of God in the flesh. I will sound the trumpet:
bless my father's tongue, and loose it, so that it may speak.
I will sound the trumpet: and I will quicken my mother's womb. (Respons and
Versicle)
[Lesson v.] You see, O beloved, how new and wonderful is this mystery. He
is not yet born, and he speaks by leapings; he does not yet appear, and he
utters threats; he may not yet cry out, and by his acts he is heard; he
does not yet draw the breath of life, and he preaches God; he does not yet
behold the light, and he points out the sun; he is not yet brought forth,
and he hastens to be the forerunner.
For, in the presence of the Lord, he cannot bear to be restrained; he
cannot endure to await the time ordained by nature; but he strives to break
free from the imprisoning womb, and is eager to herald the coming Savior.
He approaches, says he, he who loosens bonds and why am I held here? The
Word comes, that he may establish all things; and do I still remain
imprisoned? I will go forth, I will run before him, and will proclaim to
all: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
(Respons and Versicle).
[Lesson vi.] But tell us, O John, how you did see and hear, when you were
still enclosed in the darkness of your mother's womb? How did you behold
these divine things? How did you leap and exult? A great mystery, says he,
is accomplished here, and *an act far beyond human understanding*. Rightly
shall I do a new thing in nature, because of him who will do new things
which are above nature. Even though I am yet in the womb, I see; for I see
the sun of justice being carried in a womb. With my ears I perceive, for I
am born to be the voice of the great Word. I cry aloud, for I contemplate
the only-begotten Son of the Father clothed in flesh. I rejoice, for I see
the Producer of all things take the form of a man. I leap, for I think of
the Redeemer of the world incarnate. I run before his coming, and, as it
were by my confession, I go before him to you.
(Respons and Versicle).
Homily of St.Ambrose
(Commentary on Luke, book 2 Ch.1)
[Lesson vii.] We must observe that the greater comes to the lesser, in
order to help the lesser: Mary to Elizabeth, Christ to John. And again
afterwards, that he might sanctify the baptism of John, the Lord came to be
baptized. And quickly were the blessing's of Mary's coming and the divine
presence made manifest. Notice the distinction, and how fitting is every
word. Elizabeth first heard the voice; but John first felt the grace. She
heard by natural means, he leaped by reason of the mystery. She perceived
the coming of Mary, he that of the Lord. .... (Respons and Versicle).
[Lesson viii.] And how have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should
come to me? .......
...I recognize the mystery: the Mother of the Lord pregnant with the word
is full of God. And Mary remained with her about three months, and she
returned to her own house. The point is well made that holy Mary both
showed this attention and kept the mystic number ...(snips)
(Respons and Versicle, Lesson ix. is on Processus and Martinianus).
Best
Erik Drigsdahl
_____________________________________________________________________
Mag.art. Erik Drigsdahl CHD Center for Haandskriftstudier i Danmark
Kapelvej 25B 3.tv Phone: +45 +35 37 20 47
DK-2200 Copenhagen N Email: <[log in to unmask]>
DENMARK http://www.chd.dk
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