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“He took prisoners captive.” “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Mortal life is full of obstacles to stumble over, covered with the snares of deception (…) And because the enemy had spread out these snares everywhere and caught practically everyone in them, it was necessary that someone stronger should appear to master and break them and thus destroy the path of those who were following them.

For this reason, before coming to unite himself with the Church as his bride, our Savior was also tempted by the devil. (…) In this way he taught the Church that it is not by luxuriousness and pleasure but through many trials and temptations she must come to Christ. Indeed, there was no one else who could have overcome these snares. «For all have sinned», as it is written (Rm 3,23)… Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, is the only one who «committed no sin» (1Pt 2,22).

But the Father «made him to be sin for our sake» (2Cor 5,21) so that «in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin» (Rm 8,3). Thus Jesus walked into these snares but was not himself entangled in them. More, when he had broken and destroyed them, he heartened the Church to the extent that, from now on, she would dare to crush obstacles underfoot, climb over the snares and say, in all happiness:

«Our soul, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowlers. The snare has been broken and we have been saved» (Ps 124[123],7). However, he himself underwent death, yet voluntarily and not, as we do, bound by sin. For he is the only one to have been «free among the dead» (Ps 87,6 LXX). And because he was free among the dead he conquered «the one who had the power of death» (Heb 2,14) and «took prisoners captive» from him (Eph 4,8), those who were held in death.

It was not just that he himself was raised from the dead but, at the same time, he «brought to life those who were captives in death and seated them with him in the heavens» (Eph 2,5f.); «ascending on high, he took prisoners captive» (Eph 4,8).

Origen (c.185-253)

priest and theologianCommentary on the Song of Songs, III, 27-33 ; SC 376

The days will come (…) when they will fast.

My dear children and brothers, God, who in his wisdom governs all things, who in an excellent and sensible way leads the seasons and years to a successful end, has also given us to understand this: the salutary days and profitable to one’s soul are already here. (…)

And may thanks be given to the one who has revealed these days to us and judged us worthy of coming to them. This is why we should always lead a holy and pure life and observe all the commandments of God, and particularly now. (…)

So as it is the time for purification, let us purify ourselves! As it is the time for abstinence, let us abstain, and not just from food – that is not enough – but let us abstain (…) from envying the good reputation of our brother, from getting angry or being irritated with our neighbor, not holding back our tongue and letting it run on as it wishes. But let this latter give itself limits so that one does not speak too much or whenever and of suitable subjects.

Let our looking keep itself from shameless looks and our ears be closed, only opening to hear what is pleasing to God and what he loves. Yes, dear children, yes, I exhort you, make of yourselves an instrument, a pleasing harp of the Holy Spirit. (…) Keep peace among yourselves. The most venerable Lent is tiring to the body, it is true, but do not stop, lest your courage wavers from it! (…) A little patience and, as by habit, you will no longer feel its weight!

Saint Theodore the Studite (759-826)

monk at Constantinople Catechesis 46