773 discourse ii: the freely accepted bonds the servants with the sword. He did not desire to withdraw from the danger, nor did He allow the enemy to be struck; because they could do nothing against Him without His consent, He freely allowed the atrocities they desired to commit against Him. In complete freedom, He desired to be seized, to be held, to be bound; and all these things for us, Christians, for us. For this reason, I will close with Paul’s words: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave [H]imself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:1-2). Truly, we are able to show no greater or more manifest love to our Savior than by remembering continuously and perpetually that He voluntarily accepted His bonds. By His captivity, He destroyed our own; by His bondage, He brought eternal freedom to us. Therefore, let us in spirit, if we are not able with lips, fondly kiss those consecrated bonds, which were drawn tightly and most dreadfully around Christ in whom divinity is joined to humanity. Let us adore with tears those most sacred bonds, which burdened Him who is the Holy of Holies. In short, let us beseech the kind Savior, that He would not permit us to be led away to hell with the bonds of our sins, but to be most lovingly released. May He bestow the most perfect, the most sure freedom that will know no end in the heavenly Homeland. O [You], who were captured for me of [Your] own accord, and for me were bound, You suffered! Free me if only from my bonds, That I may be captive to nothing, and bound by nothing — I desire only to be Your slave, O Christ.
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