Origen pursues the allegory in his usual way (hom. 9): 1. He shows [that] we are the stones. 2. From them the altar must be constructed. 3. On which CHRIST JESUS writes his law. 4. [That] the same JESUS quickly completes this writing. 5. [That] there are two kinds of those who are on the mountains of the Church, and are not saved. 6. [That] the law is read and explained to us by JESUS. 7. [That] there are many, to the ears of whose heart the law is not read. 8. [That] in the Christian Church there are, spiritually, women, infants, [and] proselytes. I will excerpt a few words on the several [points].
(col. 953)
Concerning the first. All we who believe in JESUS CHRIST are called living stones, according to what Scripture pronounces, saying: “But you are living stones, built into a spiritual house, in a holy priesthood, that you may offer spiritual victims acceptable to God through JESUS CHRIST” [1 Pet. 2:5]. And just as we know [it] to be observed in these earthly stones — that these stones indeed which are stronger and more powerful are cast first into the foundations, so that upon them the weight of the whole building may be trusted and superimposed; but others which are next, that is, a little lower than they, are ranged nearest to those which are in the foundation; and those which are yet lower, a little above the foundations; then next, in comparison of the stones, those which are weaker are placed in the higher parts, and near the very ridge-tops of the roof — so understand now also, concerning the living stones, [that] there are some in the foundations of this spiritual building. But who are these who are placed in the foundations? The Apostles and Prophets. For thus says Paul, teaching these very [things]: “Built,” he says, “upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, the corner-stone itself [being] CHRIST JESUS our Lord” [Eph. 2:20]. But that thou mayest prepare thyself the readier, O hearer, for the construction of this building — that thou mayest be found some stone nearer to the foundation — learn that CHRIST himself is the foundation of this building which we have now described. For thus says the Apostle: “For no one can lay another foundation besides that which has been laid, which is CHRIST JESUS” [1 Cor. 3:11]. Blessed, therefore, [are] they who upon that so noble a foundation shall have constructed religious and holy buildings.
Concerning the second. Who, thinkest thou, are these whole [entire, unbroken] stones? The conscience of each one knows who is whole, who is uncorrupted, unpolluted, immaculate in flesh and in spirit; who is he into whom iron has not been thrust — that is, who has not received the fiery darts of the malignant one’s concupiscence, but has extinguished and repelled them with the shield of faith; or who is he who never received the iron of battle, the iron of war, the iron of lawsuits, but [is] always peaceable, always quiet, and mild, and conformed to the humility of CHRIST. These, therefore, are the living stones, out of which JESUS our Lord constructed an altar — out of whole stones, into which iron was not thrust — that he might offer upon them holocausts, and the sacrifice of salvation.
Concerning the third. If thou wilt see how, the first law being weakened, JESUS writes a second law, hear him saying in the Gospels: “It was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, if anyone shall look upon a woman to lust after her, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart” [Matt. 5:27–28]. And “it was said to the ancients, Thou shalt not forswear thyself. But I say to you, Swear not at all” [Matt. 5:33–34]. Thou seest the Deuteronomy which JESUS wrote on living and whole stones — not on tablets of the carnal heart, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God [2 Cor. 3:3]. But if thou wilt know more evidently on which hearts JESUS has written the law, and on which he has not, this too I will disclose to thee from the authority of the Scriptures — that thou mayest take consolation, thou who art called from the Gentiles, and not fear the boasting of those who glory that they have received the law of Moses written on tablets or on paper. Hear, then, on whose hearts the Lord JESUS has written the law; Paul says: “For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, naturally do the [things] which are of the law, these, not having the law, are a law unto themselves. Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them” [Rom. 2:14–15]. If, therefore, thou shouldst see the Gentiles come to JESUS and believe in him, and fulfill the work of the law which those who had received the law cannot fulfill, do not doubt to say of them, that JESUS has written Deuteronomy on those whole stones.
Concerning the fourth. Our Lord JESUS does not need much time to write Deuteronomy — to fix the second law in the hearts of believers, and, in the minds of those who are worthy to be chosen for the construction of the altar, to seal the law of the spirit. For as soon as anyone has believed in JESUS CHRIST, the law of the Gospel is also inscribed in his heart, and inscribed in the sight of the sons of Israel. For there were present then, when the sacrament of faith was being handed over to thee, the heavenly virtues, the ministries of the Angels, the Church of the first-born. For if we rightly understand “Israel” to mean “the mind seeing God,” this is most rightly said rather of the ministering Angels — according to the Lord’s own sentence, saying concerning infants (and thou too wast an infant in baptism): because “their Angels always see the face of my Father, who is in heaven” [Matt. 18:10]. Before these sons of Israel, therefore, who were present at that time, when the sacraments of faith were being handed over to thee, [they] seeing the face of God, JESUS wrote Deuteronomy in thy heart.
Concerning the fifth. I see it thus: [that] there are two kinds of those who by faith hasten and press on toward salvation. One [kind] of those who, kindled with the desire of the heavenly promises, strive with the utmost zeal and diligence lest even the least single beatitude pass them by — having the desire not only of taking the blessing, and of being made [a partaker] in the portion of the saints, but also of standing in the sight of God, and of being always with the Lord. But others there are who also themselves tend toward salvation, yet not so much from love of the blessings or the promises themselves, as rather having this in prospect, and saying: “It suffices me not to go into Gehenna; it suffices me not to be sent into eternal fire; it suffices [me] not to be cast out into the exterior darkness.” Since, then, in each of the faithful there is such a variety of purpose, this seems to me to be designated in this place — that those halves who march beside Mount Gerizim (that one which was chosen for the blessings) singularly signify those who come to salvation not from fear of punishment, but from desire of the blessings and the promises; but those halves who march beside Mount Ebal (on which the cursings were pronounced) signify those others who, fulfilling from fear of evils and dread of punishments the [things] which are written in the law, arrive at salvation. Here now it is of God alone to know, out of all us sons of Israel, who it is that, kindled with the desire of the good itself, does what is good, and who of us tends toward the good from fear of Gehenna and dread of the eternal fire, and strives and hastens to fulfill the [things] which are written. For it is certain that those are nobler who do what is good from the desire of the good itself and from love of the blessings, than those who pursue the good from fear of evil. JESUS alone, therefore, is [he] who can discern out of the whole people minds and souls of this kind, and set some indeed on Mount Gerizim for the blessings, but set others on Mount Ebal for the cursings — not that they may receive the cursings, but that, beholding the prescribed cursings and the penalties appointed for sinners, they may beware to incur them.
Concerning the sixth. JESUS reads the law to us; he does not [merely] reveal to us the secrets of the law. For we who are of the Catholic Church do not spurn the law of Moses, but receive it — provided, however, [that] JESUS read it to us; for thus shall we be able rightly to understand the law, if JESUS read it to us, so that, he himself reading, we may grasp its sense and understanding.
(col. 955)
Concerning the seventh. Even now — whether when the scriptures are read in the Church, or when a discourse of explanation is brought forth to the people — following the authority of scripture we say: See, the words of the law are indeed read by JESUS, yet to very many they are not read; because JESUS reads the law [only] to those who have had ears to hear.
Concerning the eighth. First, [the terms] “women,” “little ones,” [and] “proselytes” can be taken singly; then together thus: if the whole Church be taken at once, by “men” indeed are understood those who know how to stand perfect in all things, armed against the wiles of the devil; but by “women,” those who do not yet from themselves do the [things] which are useful, but [do them] by imitating [their] betters and following their examples — of whom the [men] are also said to be the head. For the head of the woman is the man [1 Cor. 11:3]. But “infants” will be those who, faith being lately received, are nourished with the milk of the Gospel. And “proselytes” seem [to be] the catechumens, or those who now strive to associate themselves with the faithful. Concerning these several [classes] John too, thinking similar [things], writes in his Epistle, and assigns to each several age its own proper deeds. Nevertheless — JESUS reciting the law to you, and revealing to our hearts the spiritual understanding — [I exhort you]: neither [do you], proselytes (that is, catechumens), remain catechumens any longer, but hasten to receive the grace of GOD, that you too may be numbered in the Church of the sons of Israel; and you, infants, do not become children in [your] understanding, but in malice be little ones, and in [your] understanding be perfect [1 Cor. 14:20].