The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 6: The Fullness of Time • 221

“The year of the Lord progresses through seasons,” he explained, “it does not grow old, since it repeats its cycle for as long as it takes to lead us to the day of recompense.” 113 Chrysologus was not rejecting Old Testament practice but emphasizing its future fulfillment. Speaking of Abraham’s celebration of the weaning of Isaac, and of Hannah’s return of Samuel to the temple following his weaning, he explained that “Today’s celebration of Easter leaves off the milk of those who gave it birth, so that it might be strengthened by eating solid food and be made into the perfect man of Christ.” 114 Chrysologus now read the biblical account of the resurrection, beginning in Matthew 28:1-3, Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. “When Christ rises, day begins to dawn for believers,” declared Chrysologus, “and for disciples, night is changed into day.” 115 But for unbelievers, spiritual

113 Day of recompense refers to the Lord’s return. Peter Chrysologus, Sermon 73, Corpus Christianorum Series Latina vol. 24a , 447.

114 Gen. 21:8, 1 Sam. 1:23-28, and Eph. 4:13 respectively. To wean a child is to feed it solid food instead of its mother’s milk—a biblical metaphor seen, for example, in 1 Cor.3:2 and 1 Pet. 2:2.

115 Peter Chrysologus, Sermon 73, Fathers of the Church vol. 110, page 15.