Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
192 ST. AUGUSTINE speak this way, consider it fate? What, then, does it mean, "My hour has not yet come"? That hour has not yet come when I know it is the right time for me to suffer, when my passion will be effective; then I shall suffer willingly, that you may keep both: "My hour has not yet come" and "I have the power to lay down my life, and to take it up again."
(2) He had come, therefore, having it in his power when he should die. But if he were to die before he had chosen his disciples, that would certainly be ridiculous. If he were a man who did not have his hour in his power, he could have died before he had chosen his disciples. Even if, perchance, he were to die after his disciples were already chosen and instructed, it would be given to him, but he would not himself be the one who accomplished it. But, in fact, he who had come, having [it] in [his] hands when he would go, when he v/ould return, how far he would advance, he, to whom the nether world lay open, not only when he died but when he arose, that he might show us the hope of the immortality of his Church, showed in the head what the members ought to expect. For he who arose in the head will arise also in the other members.
(3) Therefore his hour had not yet come; it was not yet the right time. His disciples had to be called, the kingdom of heaven announced, signs of power effected, the Lord's divinity manifested by miracles, the Lord's humanity manifested by his compassion for mortal men. For he who was hungry because he was a man fed so many thousands with five loaves of bread because he was God. He who was sleeping because he was a man gave orders to the winds and waves because he was God. All these things had to be made manifest first that the evangelists might have something to write, and that there might be something to be preached to the Church.
(4) But when he had done as much as he judged was enough, there came, not the hour of necessity but of [his own] will, not of his human condition but of power.
13. Well now, brothers, since we have replied to both groups, shall we say nothing about the meaning of the water jars, of the water turned to wine, of the chief steward, of the bride-
TRACTATE 8 193 groom, of the mother of Jesus in mystery, of the wedding itself? All these things need to be discussed, but you must not be burdened. In fact, I even wanted, in the name of Christ, to discuss it with you yesterday, when, my beloved people, a sermon is usually due to you; but I was not allowed because of certain obligations which hindered me. If, therefore, my holy people, it pleases you, what pertains to the mystery of this deed let us put off until tomorrow, and let us not burden either your or my weakness. For perhaps there are many today who have come because of the day s solemnity and not to hear a sermon. They who will come tomorrow, let them come to hear, that we may neither cheat those eager to learn nor burden those without relish for it.