The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 5: The Unfolding of Time, Part 2 • 163

“There are no more lectures,” said Mentor, “you must engage the witnesses in dialogue if you wish to hear their testimonies.” The two witnesses stood silently by. “What can you tell us about the Exile?” I asked them. “What can you tell us?” asked the elderly Origen, smiling. “God judged his people for their idolatry and kicked them out of the Promised Land,” replied Joseph. “God stirred up foreign armies to conquer Israel, taking the people captive into Assyria and later into Babylon,” added Cesar. “God indeed sentenced Jerusalem for her sins,” agreed Origen, “and the condemned were given over to their captors . 25 “They had it comin’ to ’em,” said Preacher. “But God was ready to show mercy,” replied Origen, “even to those who deserve punishment. For though he could punish anyone without warning, yet he always warns first, in order to turn the disobedient from their sin. 26 “There’s always an opportunity for repentance with God,” agreed Joseph. “Right,” said Cesar, “he sent Jeremiah to warn Judah long before the fall of Jerusalem.” 25 Paraphrase of John Clark Smith (translator), Origen, Homilies on Jeremiah, Homily on 1 Kings 28 , in The Fathers of the Church, A New Translation (Catholic University of America Press, 1998), 4. 26 John Clark Smith (translator), Origen, Homilies on Jeremiah, Homily on 1 Kings 28 , in The Fathers of the Church, A New Translation (Catholic University of America Press, 1998), Homily, 3.