Spy Wednesday

From a Treatise by St. Augustine the bishop

Zurbaran,
The Crucifixion

For I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city. Give heed unto the glory of the Cross itself. Now upon the brow of kings that Cross firmly resteth, which foes did once revile. Effect hath proven strength; it hath conquered the world, not with the sword, but with the wood. The wood of the Cross seemed worthy of scorn to his enemies, as they stood before that very wood, wagging their heads and saying, If he be the Son of God, let him come down from the Cross! He stretched forth his hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. If he is just which liveth by faith, he that hath not faith is unrighteous. What then he calleth unrighteousness, know thou to be unbelief. Therefore the Lord spied unrighteousness and strife in the city, and stretched forth his hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people; and yet, looking forth upon these very same, he said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

St. Augustine, Treatise on the Psalms, the third lesson in the second nocturn of Tenebrae for Spy Wednesday