Moralia in Job 1247

26. They first lay in caves, from which they leaped forth to take their prey in the world. — For while the holy apostles in no way rose up against the members of the devil with the voice of free preaching, and, not yet strengthened after the Lord's passion by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, did not preach their Redeemer with firm authority, they still, as it were, lay in ambush in caves against their adversaries. Behind closed doors, as though in certain hidden caverns, these cubs, about to seize the world, were lying down, that afterward, taking courage, they might carry off their prey of souls; of whom it is certain that at that time they feared the assault of the world even for themselves, hiding.

With those doors shut, these cubs, lying in wait, sought the death of our death, that they might slay our guilt and destroy in us all the life of sin. Of these, to the first cub, hungry but now grown strong, when the heathen world had been shown through the linen sheet, as though the prey were displayed, it is said: 'Kill and eat' (Acts 10:13). To these cubs, as though still weak, it is commanded that they should lie in caves, when it is said to them by the Lord's voice: 'Sit here in the city until you be clothed with power from on high' (Luke 24:49). Are they not rightly called the cubs of the lioness, who, brought forth in the Church, seized with their mouths the opposing world? 27. Perfect teachers imitate them. He knows how to speak rightly who knows how to keep silence in due order.

— And these things indeed we know were done by the holy apostles; these things we now also see done by perfect teachers. For although they are the fathers of the peoples who follow after, yet they are the sons of those who went before; whence not undeservedly are they called cubs. Or certainly, because, though they are teachers of certain of the faithful, they nevertheless glory in being disciples of the universal Church. Thus the Lord takes prey for the lioness, because by the power of His inspiration He plunders the life of transgressors from error; and He fills the souls of her cubs, because by the conversion of many He satisfies the pious desires of teachers. Of these cubs it is well added: 'When they lie in caves and lurk in dens.' For not all times are suited to teaching.

For very often the force of words is lost, if they are uttered out of season. But often, too, even what is spoken more gently is quickened by the fitting occasion of a suitable time. He, therefore, knows how to speak rightly who also knows how to keep silence in due order. For what does it profit to rebuke an angry man at that time when, his mind being estranged, he is not only unable to perceive the words of another, but can scarcely endure himself? For one who rebukes a raging man by invective, as though inflicting blows upon a drunkard who does not feel them. Doctrine, therefore, that it may be able to reach the heart of the hearer, should weigh what moments of time are suitable to itself. Well, then, is it said of these cubs: 'When they lie in caves and lurk in dens.'

For the holy teachers, when they perceive things that ought to be reproved, and yet through silence hold themselves in their thoughts, as it were lurk in dens, and as though conceal themselves in caves, because they are hidden in their own hearts. But when they have found the opportune time, they suddenly leap forth, keep silent nothing of what must be said, and hold the neck of the proud with the bite of sharp rebuke. Whether, therefore, through the apostles, or through the teachers whom He has substituted in the place of the apostles, the Lord daily takes prey for this lioness, and through those whom He has taken He does not cease to take others also. For to this end do the righteous seize the sinners of this world, that through those who are converted still others out of the world may be seized.

Whence the very heathen world, which was snatched by the pious mouth of the apostles, now hungers for others with as great a hunger as it knows itself to have been desired by the apostles. Therefore it is also fitly added: