On Wednesday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a Scripture passage from the book of Joshua (3:1-17; 4:14-19; 5:10-12), entitled "The people cross the Jordan and celebrate the Passover". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily by Origen, priest.
Origen was one of the earliest and most influential Christian theologians and biblical scholars, living from about A.D. 185 to 253. He is best known for his profound study and interpretation of Sacred Scripture, teaching that the Bible contains both a literal and deeper spiritual meaning that leads believers to Christ. His major contributions include developing methods of biblical interpretation, defending the Christian faith against critics, and helping lay the foundation for later theological reflection on the Trinity, Christ, and salvation. Although some of his speculative ideas were later rejected by the Church, his dedication to Scripture, prayer, and theological inquiry greatly influenced many of the Church Fathers and helped shape the development of Catholic theology. He is especially remembered as one of Christianity's greatest early biblical scholars and teachers. Origen has been described as "the greatest genius the early Church ever produced".
The main take-away from Origen's Homilies on Joshua is that the story of Joshua is not only a history of Israel entering the Promised Land but also a spiritual picture of the Christian life. Origen teaches that Joshua (whose name in Hebrew is equivalent to Jesus) symbolizes Christ leading His people into the true Promised Land of salvation. The battles fought by Israel represent the Christian's struggle against sin and evil, and the conquest of the land symbolizes the gradual growth in holiness. The central lesson is that believers, guided by Christ, must faithfully cooperate with God's grace in overcoming sin and advancing toward eternal life.
In his homily "The Crossing of the Jordan," Origen teaches that Israel's passage through the Jordan River is a symbol of the Christian journey into new life through Christ. Just as the Israelites left the wilderness behind and entered the Promised Land, Christians pass from the old life of sin into the life of grace, especially through Baptism. Origen sees Joshua as a figure of Jesus, who leads His people to salvation, and the Jordan as representing the spiritual transformation that comes from trusting and following God. The central lesson is that God calls believers to leave behind what separates them from Him and to enter fully into the new life He offers through Christ.
Our first reading from Joshua (3:1–17; 4:14–19; 5:10–12) teaches that God faithfully fulfills His promises and leads His people into the Promised Land. By miraculously stopping the waters of the Jordan, God confirms Joshua's leadership and shows that He is with His people just as He was with Moses. Once they enter the land, the Israelites celebrate the Passover in thanksgiving for God's saving power, and the manna ceases because they can now eat the fruits of the land God has given them. The passage teaches that God guides His people through times of transition, keeps His promises, and calls them to remember His blessings with gratitude, worship, and trust.
