Synesius, Homily 2

Homily 2 is essentially a set of two fragments that appear to be unrelated. The first fragment is a philosophical interpretation of Christmas (or Epiphany); the second seems to belong to a law suit between two neighboring cities (Ptolemais and Taucheira?) on the use of water. The fragments are offered here in the translation by A. Fitzgerald.

Chapter
A
B
Section
1
2

Fragment A

[A.1] It is a holy night that brings light to those that are accursed, a light greater than that wherewith any sun has illumined the day. Lo, it is not holy that even the fairest thing upon the earth should be compared to the Creator; but that light which illumines souls and lits up the perceptible sun is no piece of creation. It exists through the harmony of its present blessedness, that will bless us in the future.

[A.2] If you persevere in this way of thinking you will maintain the soul in a more enviable state for the present, if not for your whole life. At this moment each one of you goes about the city as an announcing messenger. Now believe ye that the words of scripture refer to you, that being on earth ye have a citizenship in heaven.note Beware of missing your deserts, for hard to wash out is the stain that comes after cleansing.