Homily 7.2
For our “assent to belief” extends not only all the
way to whippings, but it reaches all the way to the shedding of blood, because
even Christ, whom we follow, has shed his blood for our redemption, so that
thereafter we may go forth washed in our blood. For the baptism of blood alone
is what may render us more clean than the baptism of water has rendered us. And
I do not presume this, but Scripture reports [it], with the Lord saying to the
disciples: “I have a baptism to be baptized with about which you do not know.
And how I am pressed that it should be accomplished!” For you see that he spoke
about “baptism” as the shedding of his blood. And if I do not shock by saying
these things I suspect that this baptism is higher than the other baptism which
is delivered by means of water. For with that baptism [of water] received,
certainly there are few so blessed who could remain immaculate continuously to
the end of life, but he who has been baptized with this baptism [of blood]
cannot sin any longer. And if it is not rash to venture an opinion in such
things, we can say that past sins are purged by that baptism [of water], but by
that other one [of blood] future sins are also thwarted. There [with water]
sins are cast down; here [with blood] sins are prevented. (Origen, Homilies
on Judges [trans. Elizabeth Ann Dively Lauro; The Fathers of the Church
199; Washington D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2010], 97-98)
Homily 9.2
But after those “22,000 departed,” the Divine Word
also adds, “and he says to Gideon: ‘Still,’” it is said, “’the people are many.
So place them down at the water and there I will test them for you.’” As I see
it, those who were first rejected had not gone down “to the water,” but they
still designated themselves as catechumens and were frightened away so greatly
in the vice of dread that they would not go down to the bath of salvation.
(Ibid., 115)