The Eternal Age and Repentance

Therefore make known to me your ways; for in this manner I shall learn your paths, following those who have worn them down, those who have proceeded in the good things or those who have proceeded because you proceeded, having a subscript and a pattern, 'that we may follow your footsteps' (Ps 25:4). Therefore, to know precedes to teach. Thus it is said that demonstrations and teachings come from things already known. It can be understood in this way: that common concepts are pre-known. And indeed, when we test a teaching, we say we are testing it in reference to common concepts.

For indeed, at times a teacher says something, and the common concept of the learner pre-perceives and knows whether he speaks well or not. You will find even in these human, scientific demonstrations, that sciences are not being led well if those listening do not pre-perceive what it is necessary to pre-perceive. For indeed, this has often been said to us: that when someone learns something that must be foreknown before the instruction, it is not right to speak to him through obscure words, since it is not familiar to him. 'Guide me into the truth' (Ps 27:11).

After the practical virtues and the guidance according to disposition, the guidance into the truth occurs; for, he says, 'desiring wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will supply it to you' (Ps 119:2). And wisdom and truth are the same. The Savior, indeed, is said to be both: 'Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Cor 1:24). And he himself said: 'I am the truth' (John 14:6).

And teach me, that you are my God and Savior. You are my God, having created me; you are my Savior, willing that I should improve. Therefore, become my teacher. As Creator, so also become teacher. And I waited for you all the day. I waited for you all the time of my life, so that I might have you as teacher and Savior; for 'toward you' I 'lifted up my soul' (Ps 25:1), not toward another. I did not entreat another, so that you might make known to me your ways and teach me your paths, but I deemed you worthy to become teacher of these things to me.

Often the whole of our life's time is called 'a day', according to what has been said: 'for your sake we are dying all the day' (Ps 116:3), instead of what the apostle has made 'every day' (2 Cor 6:13). And 'a day' can be said to be the whole time of the life of the saints, because they are always in light, being illuminated by the truth.

The thin light of 'the sun of righteousness' (Malachi 4:8). This day is not interrupted by nights; it is continuous. For it is said in the Psalm: 'our age is for the illumination of your face' (Ps 36:9). And the life which is extended by the sojourn here is called an age; for it is said, 'there shall be to you a servant for an age' (Ps 119:9), and 'I shall not eat meat for an age' (Ps 119:119), instead of 'through life'. Since therefore the time of our life's day has come to illuminate your face—for we have come to pre-announce your presence—our whole age has become for the illumination of your face because of the illuminating and making manifest to men your visitation.

Remember your mercies, O Lord, and your compassions, because they are from eternity. For even if I have entreated and lifted my soul to you and desired other things to be present to me from you, I do not ask these things according to merit. You provide these things mercifully and compassionately in accordance with the one: 'not of the one willing nor of the one running, but of the God who shows mercy' (Romans 9:16); for even if we have done all things from ourselves, by the mercy of God we strive to attain their end. Hear me as a merciful one, and as a compassionate one receive my prayers. 'And your compassions, because they are from eternity'. For it is not yesterday and the morning that I began to be compassionate. You are eternal, you are eternally good.

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my ignorances (Ps 25:7). You see that concerning former ignorances and sins one prays for mercy and the compassion of God; for there is no longer repentance sending back a prayer upon committed sins. Repentances happen upon things passed away. For it says: 'do not remember the sins and the ignorances of me' (Ps 25:7) which I have, and now I do not have, but those of youth. And it is possible even thus: whatever the age of the one ignoring and sinning may be, he is young in the youth of his mind, in the newness of his conduct. It is possible, therefore, to always find those who confess and bring words of repentance concerning sins passed away, doing this: 'we have sinned, we have transgressed, we have been ungodly' (1 John 1:8); for how is it possible? The one repenting asks for virtue. How then can one who is still in sins have or receive virtue? 'Turn away' (Ps 34:14) therefore 'from evil and do good'. According to your mercy, remember me. What about 'remember me'? It is a personal idiom of the Scripture instead of 'know me' (Ps 139:1).