733 the sixth word In this matter, we have a magnificent example in [the book of ] Joshua. When this excellent leader was about to enter the Promised Land, he was obliged to circumcise all the Hebrews born in the desert. Thus did God desire, and so did He command. The sacred text recounts: “When the circumcising of all the nation was done, they remained in their places in the camp till they were healed” (Josh 5:8). This was the Jewish circumcision, but what should be the Christian circumcision? A widely recognized commentator99 of Sacred Scripture says: “To be circumcised by Jesus means to abandon vices, evil habits, and very wicked morals and to amputate whatever is inconsistent with the rule of propriety.” For who would dream of entering the Promised Land, which for us is our heavenly homeland, with all these extremely heavy bundles? Indeed, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Mt 7:14). Vices have such a nature that as many times as they are cut down, they grow anew. Every vice and sin is like the Lernaean Hydra’s heads that always grew back after being cut off. Likewise, after the removal of one vice or of one sin, another emerges, if all its sap has not been completely removed by unremitting penance. In this matter we must be persistent as Hercules. Never must we release the weapons of penance from our hands. May he never put it down who has once laid hold of it [i.e., the weapon of penance] to fight against vices and sins: Clasp it, clasp it always. “It is not enough to be circumcised; it is necessary after this circumcision to return to health and allow the wounds to scar. Penitents ought to remain in their practice of penance.” Reason supports this, the most holy Abbot Stephen100 advises this, and this is the way to achieve salvation. Once, a great crowd gathered around Jesus, “And people were bringing children to [H]im, that [H]e might touch them” (Mk 10:13). His disciples were so moved with anger (I know not the 99 It is not known to whom St. Stanislaus refers. 100 Information regarding this author and the source of this quote was not able to be found.
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