Vat.gr.1

on the Gospel according to Luke?

in the chapter?

note?

that it is not?

the manner?

the wickedness?

For everything that is a cause of change is not itself change, but it is a cause of change. So that the thing said may become clearer, let it be observed by us in an example: the rising sun makes light, and by the light it produces a shadow. But the sun is not the cause of the shadow, but the obstacle of the body is for us, which makes the absence of the light. And the sun is not the cause of the shadow, but the obstacle of the body is. Thus, then, God is the cause of good things and of long-suffering, but He is not the cause of the change of men and of sin. Rather, the turning away of our free will and of our power of choice is what introduces wickedness. And just as the sun rising does not itself make the shadow, but the obstacle of the body does, so God, being good, does not Himself make wickedness, but the turning away of our power of choice does. For just as the eye, seeing the light, rejoices, but not seeing it, it becomes darkness for itself, so also the soul, attending to God, is enlightened, but turning away from Him, it becomes darkness for itself. God, therefore, is not the cause of the darkness, but the turning away of the soul is. And just as one who is sick does not blame the physician for the disease, but himself for his intemperance, so also the one who sins does not blame God for the sin, but himself for the wickedness. And just as the sailor does not blame the helmsman for the shipwreck, but himself for his inexperience, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice. And just as the farmer does not blame the sun for the lack of fruit, but himself for his neglect, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice. And just as the builder does not blame God for the collapse of the house, but himself for his neglect, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice. And just as the soldier does not blame the king for the defeat, but himself for his cowardice, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice. And just as the student does not blame the teacher for ignorance, but himself for his neglect, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice. And just as the slave does not blame the master for the punishment, but himself for his disobedience, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice. And just as the one on trial does not blame the judge for the condemnation, but himself for his injustice, so also man does not blame God for wickedness, but himself for his malice.