24th Sunday after Pentecost
2 Barbara and Her Companion the Martyr Juliana, of Heliopolis in Syria
2 Holy Great Martyr Barbara (290)Our Righteous Father John of Damascus (760)Saint Gennadius, Archbishop of Novgorod (1505)
Matins
Mark 16.1-8
§ 70
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου.
И҆ ѕѣлѡ̀ заꙋ́тра во є҆ди́нꙋ ѿ сꙋббѡ́тъ прїидо́ша на гро́бъ, возсїѧ́вшꙋ со́лнцꙋ,
All the Gospels refer to the period when the heavens were just beginning to brighten in the east. This, of course, does not take place until the sunrise is at hand. For it is the brightness which is diffused by the rising sun that is familiarly designated by the name of the dawn. Mark does not contradict the other Evangelist who uses the phrase, "When it was yet dark." For as the day breaks, what remains of the darkness passes away just in proportion as the sun continues to rise.
HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 3.24.65(Con. Evang. iii. 24) What Luke expresses by very early in the morning, and John by early when it was yet dark, Mark must be understood to mean, when he says, very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun, that is, when the sky was growing bright in the east, as is usual in places near the rising sun; for this is the light which we call the dawning. Therefore there is no discrepancy with the report which says, while it was yet dark. For when the day is dawning, the remains of darkness lessen in proportion as the light grows brighter; and we must not take the words very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun, to mean that the sun himself was seen upon the earth, but as expressing the near approach of the sun into those parts, that is, when his rising begins to light up the sky.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb, the sun having already risen. The first of the Sabbath is the first day after the Sabbath, that is, the days of rest, which now the ecclesiastical custom calls the Lord's Day because of the resurrection of the Lord Savior. It is the same when we read of the "one of the Sabbaths" or "one of the first of the Sabbaths," which means the first day after the Sabbath, that is, the days of rest which were observed among the Sabbaths. The holy women, who had followed the Lord, came to the tomb with spices, and even in death, they showed the devotion of their humanity to Him whom they had loved while alive. So, we too, believing in Him who has died, if we seek the Lord filled with the fragrance of virtues, with the reputation of good works, we indeed come to His tomb with spices. But that the women came very early to the tomb with the rising of the sun, that is, when the sky began to brighten from the eastern part, which surely does not happen except by the proximity of the rising sun, indeed, according to history, shows the great fervor of love in seeking and finding the Lord. According to the mystical understanding, an example is given to us, with an enlightened face, having dispelled the darkness of vices, to offer the fragrance of good works and the sweetness of prayers to the Lord.
On the Gospel of Mark(in Marc. 4, 45) As then the women show the great fervency of their love, by coming very early in the morning to the sepulchre, as the history relates, according to the mystical sense an example is given to us, that with a shining face, and shaking off the darkness of wickedness, we may be careful to offer the fragrance of good works and the sweetness of prayer to the Lord.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(ubi sup.) Or else, by this phrase is meant the first day from the day of sabbaths, or rests, which were kept on the sabbath. There follows: And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
Catena Aurea by AquinasBy very early in the morning, (Luke 24:1. diluculo Vulg.) he means what another Evangelist expresses by at the dawning. But the dawn is the time between the darkness of night, and the brightness of day, in which the salvation of man is coming forth with a happy closeness, to be declared in the Church, just as the sun, when he is rising and the light is near, sends before him the rosy dawn, that with prepared eyes she may bear to see the graciousness of his glorious brightness, when the time of our Lord's resurrection has dawned; that then the whole Church, after the example of the women, may sing the praises of Christ, since He has quickened the race of man after the pattern of His resurrection, since He has given life, and has poured upon them the light of belief.
Catena Aurea by AquinasHe says, On the first of the sabbaths, (μιᾱς σαββάτων.) that is, on the first of the days of the week. For the days of the week are called sabbaths, and by the word 'una' is meant 'prima.'
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου;
и҆ глаго́лахꙋ къ себѣ̀: кто̀ ѿвали́тъ на́мъ ка́мень ѿ две́рїй гро́ба;
And they said to each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. For it was very large. How the stone was rolled away by the angel, Matthew explains sufficiently. But the rolling away of the stone mystically suggests the uncovering of the mysteries of Christ, which were covered by the veil of the legal letter. For the law is written on stone, whose covering having been removed, the glory of the resurrection is shown, and the abolition of the ancient death and the eternal life to be hoped for by us began to be proclaimed throughout the whole world.
On the Gospel of MarkIs it from the door of the sepulcher, or of your own hearts? From the tomb, or from your own eyes? You whose heart is shut, whose eyes are closed, are unable to discover the glory of the open grave. Pour then your oil, if you wish to see that glory, not on the body of the Lord, but on the eyes of your hearts. By the light of faith you will then see that which through the deficiency of faith now lies hidden in darkness.
SERMON 82And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα.
И҆ воззрѣ́вшѧ ви́дѣша, ꙗ҆́кѡ ѿвале́нъ бѣ̀ ка́мень: бѣ́ бо ве́лїй ѕѣлѡ̀.
(ubi sup.) Matthew shows clearly enough, that the stone was rolled away by an Angel. This rolling away of the stone means mystically the opening of the Christian sacraments, which were held under the veil of the letter of the law; for the law was written on stone. It goes on: For it was very great.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Chrysologus ubi sup.) Your breast was darkened, your eyes shut, and therefore ye did not before see the glory of the opened sepulchre. It goes on: And they looked, and saw that the stone was rolled away.
(Chrysologus ubi sup.) Great indeed by its office rather than its size, for it can shut in and throw open the body of the Lord.
Catena Aurea by AquinasNeither the stone nor the bolts of the tomb could hold Christ a captive; Death lies conquered by him, he has trampled on hell's fiery chasm. With him a throng of saints ascended to heavenly regions, And to many he showed himself, letting them see and touch him.
SCENES FROM SACRED HISTORY 43, THE SEPULCHER OF CHRISTBut while they were pondering this, the Angel rolled away the stone, though the women did not perceive it. So too Matthew says that the Angel rolled away the stone after the women had arrived. But Mark was silent about this, because Matthew had already said by whom the stone was rolled away.
Commentary on MarkAnd entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν.
И҆ вше́дшѧ во гро́бъ, ви́дѣша ю҆́ношꙋ сѣдѧ́ща въ десны́хъ, ѡ҆дѣ́ѧна во ѻ҆де́ждꙋ бѣлꙋ̀: и҆ ᲂу҆жасо́шасѧ.
Mark tells us that the women entered the sepulcher, and there saw a young man sitting on the right side, covered with a long white garment, and that they were frightened. In Matthew's version, the stone was already rolled away from the sepulcher and the angel was sitting upon it. The explanation may be that Matthew has simply said nothing about the angel whom they saw when they entered into the sepulcher, and that Mark has said nothing about the one whom they saw sitting outside upon the stone. In this way they would have seen two angels, and have assumed two separate angelic reports.
HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 3.24.63(Con. Evang. iii. 24) Either let us suppose that Matthew was silent about that Angel, whom they saw on entering, whilst Mark said nothing of him, whom they saw outside sitting on the stone, so that they saw two and heard severally from two, the things which the Angels said concerning Jesus; or we must understand by entering into the sepulchre, their coming within some inclosure, by which it is probable that the place was surrounded a little space before the stone, by the cutting out of which the burial place had been made, so that they saw sitting on the right hand in that space him whom Matthew designates as sitting on the stone.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were amazed. Entering from the east into that round house carved in the rock, they saw an angel sitting on the southern part of that place, where the body of Jesus had been laid, for this was indeed on the right side. For surely the body, lying supine with its head towards the west, must have its right side towards the south. Matthew writes that they first saw the angel who rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb sitting upon the stone, who commanded them to enter the place where the Lord had been laid and to see that He had already risen from the dead. Luke writes that entering the tomb, they found two angels standing there. Therefore, the women who came with spices saw the angels, for indeed those minds see the heavenly citizens who, with virtues, travel to God through holy desires. We must note, indeed, what it means that the angel is seen sitting on the right hand. For what is signified by the left but the present life? And by the right but eternal life? Hence it is written: "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me." (Cant. II). For the Church places the left hand of God, namely the prosperity of the present life, as under the head, which it presses with the intention of supreme love. But God's right hand embraces it, because under its eternal bliss it is wholly contained with devotion. Therefore, because our Redeemer had already passed beyond the corruption of the present life, rightly did the angel who came to announce His eternal life sit at the right. He appeared clothed in a white robe because he announced the joys of our festivity. For the whiteness of the garment signifies the splendor of our festivity. Let us say ours or his? But to more truly confess, let us say both his and ours. For the resurrection of our Redeemer was both our festivity because it restored us to immortality, and the festivity of angels, because by bringing us back to the heavens, it fulfilled their number. Therefore, in his and our festivity, the angel appeared in white garments, because as we are led back to heaven through the resurrection of the Lord, the losses of the heavenly homeland are repaired. But now, let us hear him who addresses the women who come.
On the Gospel of Mark(ubi sup.) Now they saw a young man sitting on the right side, that is, on the south part of the place where the body was laid. For the body, which was lying on its back, and had its head to the west, must have had its right to the south.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut we must note what it means that the angel is seen sitting on the right side. For what is designated by the left except the present life, and what by the right except eternal life? Hence it is written in the Song of Songs: "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me." Since therefore our Redeemer had already passed beyond the corruption of the present life, rightly the angel who had come to announce his eternal life was sitting on the right. He appeared covered with a white robe because he announced the joys of our festival. For the brightness of the garment proclaims the splendor of our solemnity. Should we say ours, or his? But to speak more truly, let us say both his and ours. For that resurrection of our Redeemer was both our festival, because it brought us back to immortality, and the festival of the angels, because by calling us back to heavenly things it filled up their number. Therefore at his own and our festival the angel appeared in white garments, because while we are brought back to heavenly things through the Lord's resurrection, the losses of the heavenly homeland are repaired.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 21(Hom. in Evan. 21) But the women who came with spices see the Angels; because those minds who come to the Lord with their virtues, through holy desires, see the heavenly citizens. Wherefore it goes on: And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
(ubi sup.) But what is meant by the left hand, but this present life, and what by the right, but everlasting life? Because then our Redeemer had already gone through the decay of this present life, fitly did the Angel, who had come to announce His everlasting life, sit on the right hand.
(ubi sup.) Or else, he appeared covered with a white robe, because he announced the joys of our festivity, for the whiteness of the robe shows the splendour of our solemnity.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhy a "young man"? The resurrection of the dead, as the apostle declares, will be "unto the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ," that is, in the season of youth, which needs no further development and which is free from all defect, complete in every respect, having fullness of strength.
(Chrysologus ubi sup.) The women, then, entered the sepulchre, that being buried with Christ, they might rise again from the tomb with Christ. They see the young man, that is, they see the time of the Resurrection, for the Resurrection has no old age, and the period, in which man knows neither birth nor death, admits of no decay, and requires no increase. Wherefore what they saw was a young man, not an old man, nor an infant, but the age of joy.
(Chrysologus ubi sup.) Again, they saw a young man sitting on the right, because the Resurrection has nothing sinister in it. They also see him dressed in a long white robe; that robe is not from mortal fleece, but of living virtue, blazing with heavenly light, not of an earthly dye, as saith the Prophet, Thou deckest thyself with light as with a garment; and of the just it is said, Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun. (Ps. 104:2) (Matt. 13:43)
(Chrysologus ubi sup.) The Angel indeed sits on the sepulchre, the women fly from it; he, on account of his heavenly substance, is confident, they are troubled because of their earthly frame. He who cannot die, cannot fear the tomb, but the women both fear from what was then done, and still, as being mortals, fear the sepulchre as mortals are wont.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThe white robe is also true joy, now that the enemy is driven away, the kingdom won, the King of Peace sought for and found and never let go by us. This young man then shows an image of the Resurrection to them who feared death. But their being frightened shows that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. (1 Cor 2:9)
Catena Aurea by AquinasIf Matthew says that the Angel was sitting on the stone, while Mark says that the women, having entered the tomb, saw him sitting inside, one should not be troubled by this. For they could have seen the Angel sitting outside on the stone, as stated in Matthew, and could have seen him again inside the tomb, as having preceded them and gone in. However, some say that the women mentioned in Matthew were different from those in Mark, and that the Magdalene was the companion of all, as the most zealous and fervent.
Commentary on MarkThough Matthew says that the Angel was sitting on the stone, whilst Mark relates that the women entering into the sepulchre saw a young man sitting, yet we need not wonder, for they afterwards saw sitting within the sepulchre the same Angel as sat without on the stone.
But some say the women mentioned by Matthew were different from those in Mark. But Mary Magdalene was with all parties, from her burning zeal and ardent love.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε· Ἰησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον· ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἴδε ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν.
Ѻ҆́нъ же глаго́ла и҆̀мъ: не ᲂу҆жаса́йтесѧ: і҆и҃са и҆́щете назарѧни́на распѧ́таго: воста̀, нѣ́сть здѣ̀: сѐ, мѣ́сто, и҆дѣ́же положи́ша є҆го̀:
The resurrection in which we believe is that which has already been demonstrated in the resurrection of our Lord. For it is he that raised Lazarus after he had been in the grave four days, and Jairus' daughter, and the widow's son. It is he that raised himself by the command of the Father in the space of three days, who is the pledge of our resurrection. For he says: "I am the resurrection and the life." Now the very One who brought Jonah alive and unhurt out of the belly of the whale in the space of three days, and who brought the three children out of the furnace of Babylon and Daniel out of the mouth of the lions, does not lack power to raise us up also.
CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 5.7He died, but he vanquished death; in himself he put an end to what we feared; he took it upon himself and he vanquished it, as a mighty hunter he captured and slew the lion. Where is death? Seek it in Christ, for it exists no longer; but it did exist and now it is dead. O life, O death of death! Be of good heart; it will die in us, also. What has taken place in our head will take place in his members; death will die in us also. But when? At the end of the world, at the resurrection of the dead in which we believe and concerning which we do not doubt.
SERMON 233.3-4Christ descended into hell to liberate its captives. In one instant he destroyed all record of our ancient debt incurred under the law, in order to lead us to heaven where there is no death but only eternal life and righteousness. By the baptism which you, the newly enlightened, have just received, you now share in these blessings. Your initiation into the life of grace is the pledge of your resurrection. Your baptism is the promise of the life of heaven. By your immersion you imitated the burial of the Lord, but when you came out of the water you were conscious only of the reality of the resurrection.… The grace of the Spirit works in a mysterious way in the font, and the outward appearance must not obscure the wonder of it. Although water serves as the instrument, it is grace which gives rebirth. Grace transforms all who are placed in the font as the seed is transformed in the womb. It refashions all who go down into the water as metal is recast in a furnace. It reveals to them the mysteries of immortality; it seals them with the pledge of resurrection. These wonderful mysteries are symbolized for you, the newly enlightened, even in the garments you wear. See how you are clothed in the outward signs of these blessings. The radiant brightness of your robe stands for incorruptibility. The white band encircling your head like a diadem proclaims your liberty. In your hand you hold the sign of your victory over the devil. Christ is showing you that you have risen from the dead. He does this now in a symbolic way, but soon he will reveal the full reality if we keep the garment of faith undefiled and do not let sin extinguish the lamp of grace. If we preserve the crown of the Spirit, the Lord will call from heaven in a voice of tremendous majesty, yet full of tenderness: Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of the world. To him be glory and power for ever, through endless ages, amen.
EASTER HOMILYDo not be afraid, you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified; he has risen, he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. Do not be afraid, he says. As if he clearly states: Let those who do not love the coming of the citizens of heaven be afraid. Let those who are burdened by carnal desires and despair of being able to reach their company be afraid. But why are you afraid, who see your fellow citizens? Hence also Matthew, describing the angel who appeared, says: His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow (Matthew 28). For there is fear in lightning, but there is comfort in the whiteness of snow. Because Almighty God is both terrible to sinners and gentle to the righteous, the angel, witness of his resurrection, is rightly shown both in the lightning of his face and in the whiteness of his clothing, that he might terrify the reprobate by his appearance and console the pious. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus, in the Latin language, is interpreted as "savior." Indeed, many could be called by this name at that time, not substantively, but nominally. Therefore, the place is added to clarify which Jesus is being spoken of: the Nazarene; and the reason is immediately added, who was crucified, and he added, he has risen, he is not here. He is not here in the presence of the flesh, though he is never absent in the presence of majesty.
On the Gospel of MarkBut let us hear what he says to the women as they arrive: "Do not be afraid." As if he were saying openly: Let those fear who do not love the coming of the heavenly citizens; let those be terrified who, weighed down by carnal desires, despair of being able to reach their fellowship. But why should you be afraid, who see your fellow citizens? Hence Matthew also, describing the angel's appearance, says: "His appearance was like lightning, and his garments like snow." For in lightning there is the terror of fear, but in snow there is the gentleness of brightness. Since indeed almighty God is both terrible to sinners and gentle to the just, rightly the angel, witness of his resurrection, is shown both with a countenance like lightning and with garments of brightness, so that by his very appearance he might both terrify the reprobate and soothe the devout.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 21But now let us hear what the angel adds: "You seek Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus in the Latin tongue means "salutary," that is, it is interpreted as "Savior." But indeed many at that time could be called Jesus, yet not substantially, but only nominatively. Therefore the place is also added, so that it might be made clear which Jesus is meant: "of Nazareth." And he immediately added the reason: "the Crucified One." And he added: "He has risen, He is not here." "He is not here" is said with respect to the presence of His flesh, though He is nowhere absent with respect to the presence of His majesty.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 21(Hom. in Evan. 21) As though he had said, Let them fear, who love not the coming of the inhabitants of heaven; let them fear, who, weighed down with carnal desires, despair that they can ever attain to their company; but why should ye fear, ye who see your own fellow citizens.
(ubi sup.) But let us hear what the Angel adds; Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus means the Saviour, but at that time there may have been many a Jesus, not indeed really, but in name, therefore the place Nazareth is added, that it might be evident of what Jesus it was spoken. And immediately he subjoins the reason, Which was crucified.
(ubi sup.) He is not here, is spoken of His carnal presence, for He was not absent from any place as to the presence of His majesty.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhen we worship the likeness of the priceless and life-giving cross, we know that it is made out of a tree. We are not honoring the tree as such (God forbid), but the likeness as a symbol of Christ. For he said to his disciples, admonishing them, "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven," meaning the cross. And so also the angel of the resurrection said to the woman, "You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified." And the apostle said, "We preach Christ crucified." For there are many named Jesus and many who may claim to be the Christ, but we worship the one crucified. He does not say pierced but crucified. It behooves us, then, to worship the sign of Christ. For wherever the sign may be, there also will he be. But it does not behoove us to worship the material of which the image of the cross is composed, even though it is gold or precious stones.
THE ORTHODOX FAITH 4.11And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted.
For there is no fear in love. Why should they fear, who had found Him whom they sought?
But the bitter root of the Cross has disappeared. The flower of life has burst forth with its fruits, that is, He who lay in death has risen in glory. Wherefore he adds, He is risen; he is not here.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThe Angel who appeared said to the women: "Do not be alarmed." First he frees them from fear, and then proclaims the good news of the Resurrection. He calls Jesus Christ "the Crucified," for he is not ashamed of the Cross, which is the salvation of mankind and the foundation of all blessings. "He is risen"; from what is this evident? From the fact that "He is not here." And do you wish to be convinced? "Behold the place where He was laid." For this reason he rolled away the stone, in order to show this place.
Commentary on MarkFor he does not blush at the Cross, for in it is the salvation of men, and the beginning of the Blessed.
As if he had said, Do ye wish to be certain of His resurrection, he adds, Behold the place where they laid him. This too was the reason why he had rolled away the stone, that he might show the the place.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
ἀλλ᾿ ὑπάγετε εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν.
но и҆ди́те, рцы́те ᲂу҆чн҃кѡ́мъ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ петро́ви, ꙗ҆́кѡ варѧ́етъ вы̀ въ галїле́и: та́мѡ є҆го̀ ви́дите, ꙗ҆́коже речѐ ва́мъ.
(Con. Evan. iii. 25) By saying, He will go before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him, as he said unto you, he seems to imply, that Jesus would not show Himself to His disciples after His resurrection except in Galilee, which showing of Himself Mark himself has not mentioned. For that which He has related, Early the first day of the week he appeared to Mary Magdalene, and after that to two of them as they walked and went into the country, we know took place in Jerusalem, on the very day of the resurrection; then he comes to His last manifestation, which we know was on the Mount of Olives, not far from Jerusalem. Mark therefore never relates the fulfilment of that which was foretold by the Angel; but Matthew does not mention any place at all, where the disciples saw the Lord after He arose, except Galilee, according to the Angel's prophecy. But since it is not set down when this happened, whether first, before He was seen any where else, and since the very place where Matthew says that He went into Galilee to the mountain, does not explain the day, or the order of the narration, Matthew does not oppose the account of the others, but assists in explaining and receiving them. But nevertheless since the Lord was not first to show Himself there, but sent word that He was to be seen in Galilee, where He was seen subsequently, it makes every faithful Christian on the look out, to find out in what mysterious sense it may be understood.
It is also signified that the grace of Christ is about to pass over from the people of Israel to the Gentiles, by whom the Apostles would never have been received when they preached, if the Lord had not gone before them and prepared a way in their hearts; and this is what is meant by, He goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see him, that is, there shall ye find His members.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. We must ask why Peter is specifically named when mentioning the disciples. But if the angel had not explicitly named him, he who had denied the Master would not have dared to come among the disciples. Therefore, he is called by name so that he may not despair because of his denial. In this matter, we must consider why Almighty God allowed the one whom he had planned to place over the entire Church to fear the voice of a maid and deny himself. We recognize that this was done with a great disposition of mercy, that he who was to be the shepherd of the Church might learn from his own fault how he ought to be merciful to others. Therefore, he first revealed himself to him, and then placed him over the others, so that from his own weakness he might understand how mercifully he should bear the weaknesses of others. It is fittingly said of our Redeemer: He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see him, just as he told you. For Galilee is interpreted as 'transmigration.' For indeed our Redeemer had already migrated from passion to resurrection, from death to life, from punishment to glory, from corruption to incorruption. And he is first seen by the disciples in Galilee after the resurrection, because we will joyfully see the glory of his resurrection if we now migrate from vices to the height of virtues. Therefore, he is announced in the tomb and shown in the 'transmigration,' because he who is recognized in the mortification of the flesh is seen in the migration of the mind.
On the Gospel of MarkThere remains indeed a not insignificant question, how the same evangelist wrote that the angel said to the women, "Go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you," yet did not report that the Lord was seen by the disciples in Galilee at any point after this in his Gospel. And indeed, Matthew says that the disciples went to Galilee, saw and worshipped the Lord there, and received the command from him to go, teach, and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. However, considering the writings of the other evangelists, it shows that he was seen by the disciples several times before in Jerusalem, and in the village of Emmaus, especially on the day of his resurrection. Why then did he specially predict that he would go ahead of them to Galilee and be seen by the disciples there, when he was seen neither first nor only there? Let us examine for what mystery he rising said, according to Matthew and Mark, "I will go ahead of you to Galilee, there you will see me." And even if this was accomplished, it was after many other things were completed, since the command was such (though not by necessity) that it might have been expected that either this alone, or this first, should have happened. Therefore, without doubt, since this is the voice not of the evangelist narrating what happened, but of the angel by the command of the Lord, and of the Lord himself, narrated by the evangelist as it was said by the angel and the Lord, it must be accepted as a prophetic statement. For Galilee is interpreted either as "transmigration" or "revelation". So first, according to the meaning of "transmigration", what else occurs to be understood? He will go before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you, unless the grace of Christ was destined to be transferred from the people of Israel to the Gentiles, to whom the apostles would in no way be believed when preaching the Gospel, unless the Lord himself prepared the way in the hearts of men for them? And we understand this: He will go before you into Galilee. But what they joyfully marvel at, with difficulties being broken and conquered, that the door is opened for them in the Lord through the enlightenment of the faithful, is understood thus: there you will see him, that is, there you will find his members. There you will recognize his living body in those who receive you. According to that which Galilee is interpreted as revelation, it is not now to be understood in the form of a servant, but in that in which he is equal to the Father, which he promised to his beloved in John, when he said: I will love him, and will manifest myself to him (John XIV). Certainly not according to that which they now saw, and which, even resurrected with scars, he afterwards showed not only to be seen but also to be touched: but according to that ineffable light, which illuminates every man coming into this world: according to which he shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend him (Ibid.). He has gone before us there, from where, coming to us, he did not precede us, and to where, going before us, he did not abandon us. That will be a revelation, as it were the true Galilee, when we will be like him, there we will see him as he is. That will also be the more blessed migration from this world to that eternity, if we embrace his precepts so as to deserve to be gathered at his right hand. For then the wicked will go into eternal fire, but the righteous into eternal life. From here they will migrate there, and there they will see him as the wicked do not see. For the wicked will be taken away so as not to see the glory of the Lord, and the wicked will not see the light. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (Ibid. XVII), just as he is known in that eternity, where he will lead his own through the form of a servant, so that they may freely contemplate him through the form of the Lord.
On the Gospel of Mark"But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into Galilee." We must ask why, when the disciples are named, Peter is designated by name. But if the angel had not expressly named him who had denied his Master, he would not have dared to come among the disciples. Therefore he is called by name, lest he despair because of his denial. In this matter we must consider why Almighty God permitted him whom He had determined to place over the whole Church to fear the voice of a servant girl and to deny himself. This we recognize was done by a dispensation of great mercy, so that he who was to be the Pastor of the Church might learn through his own fault how he ought to show mercy to others. Therefore He first showed him to himself, and then set him over the rest, so that from his own weakness he might learn how mercifully he should bear with the weaknesses of others.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 21It is well said of our Redeemer: "He goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." For Galilee is interpreted as "migration accomplished." Indeed, our Redeemer had already migrated from passion to resurrection, from death to life, from punishment to glory, from corruption to incorruption. And he was first seen by the disciples in Galilee after the resurrection, because we will joyfully see the glory of his resurrection afterward, if we now migrate from vices to the heights of virtues. Therefore, he who is announced at the tomb is shown in the migration, because he who is recognized in the mortification of the flesh is seen in the migration of the mind.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 21(Hom. in Evan. 21) If again the Angel had not expressly named him who had denied his Master, he would not have dared to come amongst the disciples; he is therefore called by name, lest he should despair on account of his denial.
(ubi sup.) For Galilee means 'a passing over;' for our Redeemer had already passed from His Passion to His resurrection, from death unto life, and we shall have joy in seeing the glory of His resurrection, if only we pass over from vice to the heights of virtue. He then who is announced at the tomb, is shown in 'passing over,' because He who is first known in mortification of the flesh, is seen in this passing over of the soul.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut immortality is shown to mortals as1 due to thankfulness, that we may understand what we were, and that we may know what we are to be. There follows, But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee. The women are ordered to tell the Apostles, that as by a woman death was announced, so also might life rising again. But He says specially unto Peter, because he had shown himself unworthy of being a disciple, since he had thrice denied his Master; but past sins cease to hurt us when they cease to be pleasing to us.
This sentence is but short in the number of syllables, but the promise is vast in its greatness. Here is the fountain of our joy, and the source of everlasting life is prepared. Here all that are scattered are brought together, and the contrite hearts are healed. There, he says, ye shall see Him, but not as ye have seen Him.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas"But go, tell His disciples and Peter." He separates Peter from the disciples either as the chief one, naming him specially apart from the others by preeminence, or for this reason: since Peter had denied, if the women had said they were commanded to announce only to the disciples, he would have said: I denied Him, therefore I am no longer His disciple, and so the Lord has rejected me and been disgusted with me. Therefore the Angel also added "and Peter," so that Peter would not be troubled by the thought that he was not deemed worthy even of a word, as one who had denied and was therefore no longer worthy to be numbered among the disciples. He sends them "to Galilee," drawing them away from the turmoil and great fear of the Jews.
Commentary on MarkAnd they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου· εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ.
И҆ и҆зше́дшѧ бѣжа́ша ѿ гро́ба: и҆мѧ́ше {ѡ҆держа́ше} же и҆̀хъ тре́петъ и҆ ᲂу҆́жасъ: и҆ никомꙋ́же ничто́же рѣ́ша: боѧ́хꙋбосѧ.
There follows: And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed.
(de Con. Evan. iii. 24.) We may however enquire how Mark can say this, when Matthew says, they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples word, (Matt. 28:8) unless we understand it to mean, that they did not dare to say a word to any of the Angels themselves, that is, to answer the words which they had spoken to them; or else to the guards whom they saw lying there; for that joy of which Matthew speaks is not inconsistent with the fear which Mark mentions. For we ought to have understood that both feelings were in their minds, even though Matthew had not mentioned the fear. But since he has also said that they came out with fear and great joy, he does not allow room for any question to be raised.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut they went out and fled from the tomb (for trembling and amazement had seized them) and they said nothing to anyone. For they were afraid. It rightly raises the question of how Mark writes: And they said nothing to anyone. Whereas Luke says: And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Similarly, Matthew: And they departed quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples (Matthew 28). Unless we understand that they dared not say anything to anyone about the angels themselves, that is, to respond to what they had heard from them; or certainly the guards whom they saw lying down. For that joy which Matthew mentions does not contradict the fear of which Mark speaks. For we must understand both to have happened in their minds, even if Matthew himself did not speak of fear.
On the Gospel of Mark(Chrysologus ubi sup.) It is said also in a marked manner, that they said nothing to any one, because it is the part of women to hear, and not to speak, to learn, not to teach.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThis also is spoken of the life to come, in which grief and groaning will flee away. For the women prefigure before the resurrection all that is to happen to them after the resurrection, namely, they flee away from death and fear. There follows, Neither said they any thing to any man, for they were afraid.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThen "trembling and astonishment" seized the women, that is, they were struck both by the vision of the Angel and by the awe of the Resurrection, and therefore "they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Either they were afraid of the Jews, or they were so gripped by fear from the vision that they had, as it were, lost their senses. And so they said nothing to anyone, having forgotten everything they had heard.
Commentary on MarkThat is, they trembled because of the vision of Angels, and were amazed because of the resurrection.
Either on account of the Jews, or else they said nothing because the fear of the vision prevented them.
Catena Aurea by AquinasDivine Liturgy
Ephesians 2:14–22
§ 221
Great peace have they / who love Thee, O Lord!
Verse: I looked for the Lord; and He saved me
Brethren, remember that you is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us, having abolished in His Flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the Cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to them that were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father ... Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
I will receive the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the Lord.
St Alexander
Precious in the sight of the Lord / is the death of His Saints!
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all His bounty to me?
Brethren, Remember them which rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever Do not be carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with meats which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. We have an Altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own Blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth unto Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Thy priests shall clothe themselves with righteousness, and Thy Saints shall rejoice!
Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments
The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not fear evil tidings.
Luke 8.41-56
§ 39
And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
καὶ ἰδοὺ ἦλθεν ἀνὴρ ᾧ ὄνομα Ἰάειρος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἄρχων τῆς συναγωγῆς ὑπῆρχε· καὶ πεσὼν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ἰησοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ,
И҆ сѐ, прїи́де мꙋ́жъ, є҆мꙋ́же и҆́мѧ і҆аі́ръ, и҆ то́й кнѧ́зь со́нмищꙋ бѣ̀: и҆ па́дъ при ногꙋ̀ і҆и҃сѡвꙋ, молѧ́ше є҆го̀ вни́ти въ до́мъ сво́й:
But when about to raise the dead, in order to bring faith to the ruler of the synagogue, He first cured the issue of blood. So also a temporal resurrection is celebrated at the Passion of our Lord, that the other might be believed to be eternal. But as he went, the people thronged him.
Now mystically Christ had left the synagogue in Gerasa, and Him whom His own received not we strangers receive.
But whom do we suppose the chief of the synagogue to be, but the Law, from consideration of which our Lord had not entirely abandoned the synagogue.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(ubi sup.) But the event which He adds, And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, must not be supposed to have taken place immediately, but first that of the feast of the publicans which Matthew mentions, (Matt. 9:18.) to which he so joins on this that it cannot consequently be understood to have happened otherwise.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. To the earlier reading, in which we interpreted about the rejection of the synagogue and the faith of the Church, and again about the restoration of the synagogue, is consequently added the dying daughter of the ruler of the synagogue. As the Lord was hastening to raise her, that woman with the hemorrhage intervened, obtained health, and thus by anticipating, she was the first to obtain salvation. For Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands to God (Psalm LXVII). And when the fullness of the Gentiles shall have come in, then all Israel shall be saved. Therefore, the ruler of the synagogue is understood to be none other than Moses himself. Hence, Jairus is well called, that is, "illuminating," or "illuminated," because he receives the words of life to give to us and by these he illuminates others, and he himself is illuminated by the Holy Spirit, by which he can write or teach vital instructions.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd he fell at the feet of Jesus, begging him to enter his house. If the head of Christ is God, the feet consequently are the incarnation, by which He touched the land of our mortality. Therefore, the ruler of the synagogue fell at the feet of Jesus, because the lawgiver, with the whole lineage of the fathers, acknowledged that Christ appearing in the flesh was to be preferred far above himself in the glory of dignity, affirming the apostle's statement with diligent devotion: Because the weakness of God is stronger than men (I Cor. I). He begged Him to enter his house, because with continuous prayers of joy he desired to see His coming. And my soul (says the Prophet) shall exult in the Lord, and shall delight in His Jesus. All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto Thee (Psalm XXXIV)? And this is to fall at the feet of Jesus, to confess Him with faithful piety as uniquely great above all.
On the Gospel of LukeOr, by the ruler of the synagogue is understood Moses. Hence he is rightly called Jairus, that is, "enlightening" or "enlightened," as he who receives the words of life to give to us, thereby both enlightens others, and is himself also enlightened by the Holy Spirit. But the ruler of the synagogue fell at the feet of Jesus, because the lawgiver with the whole race of the patriarchs knew that Christ, appearing in the flesh, would be far preferred to them. For if the head of Christ is God, (1 Cor. 11:3.) His feet must agreeably to this be taken for the Incarnation, by which He touched the earth of our mortality. The ruler asked Him to enter into his house, because he was desirous to behold His coming. His only daughter is the Synagogue, which alone was framed with a legal institution; which at twelve years of age, that is, when the time of puberty was approaching, lay dying; for having been brought up nobly by the prophets, as soon as it came to years of discretion, when it ought to bring forth spiritual fruits to God, being suddenly subdued through its weakness and error, it forgot to enter the way of spiritual life, and unless Christ had come to its help, would have fallen away into destruction. But the Lord going to heal the girl is thronged by the crowd, because giving wholesome warnings to the Jewish nation, He was borne down by the customs of a carnal people.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSecond, as regards the supplication of confidence made by the prince, it is added: And behold, there came a man whose name was Jairus, whose name is expressed because the person was notable by reason of his office of governance, according to what is said in Second Kings seven: "I have made you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth"; or also because the name corresponded to his office and dignity. For Jairus is interpreted as illuminated; such a one ought to hold governance among the people. — Whence it is added: And he was a ruler of the synagogue; Sirach forty-five: "He established for him a covenant of peace and made him prince of the holy ones and of his people." Now this prince, although he was exalted in glory, so that there could apply to him that word of First Kings two: "That he might sit with princes and hold a throne of glory"; was not thereby puffed up through pride, but humbled through reverence, heeding that word of Sirach thirty-two: "Have they made you ruler? Be not lifted up." — Therefore it is added: And he fell at the feet of Jesus, knowing it is written, Isaiah forty-five: "Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall swear"; and in the Psalm: "Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before the Lord." He fell prostrate, therefore, that he might honor the majesty of Christ by his reverence; Sirach three: "How great is the power of God alone, and he is honored by the humble"; and also that he might implore his mercy with confidence.
Whence he also adds: Asking him to enter into his house. This he did with insistence, so that he could say that word of Song of Songs 3: "I held him and would not let him go, until I brought him into the house of my mother."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8Christ foreknew his mystery, even before the foundations of the world. It was in the last ages of the world that he arose for the inhabitants of earth. Having borne the sin of the world, he abolished both it and death, which is its consequence and was brought upon us by its means. He plainly said, "I am the resurrection and the life," and "he that believes on me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death unto life." We will see this fulfilled in facts. The ruler of the synagogue of the Jews came near and, embracing the Savior's knees, begged him to deliver his daughter from the bonds of death. Look, she already was brought down to this and was in extreme danger! The Savior consented and set out with him. He was even hurrying on to the house of the one who invited him and was aware that what was being done would profit many of those who followed him and would also be for his own glory.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 46When the woman with a hemorrhage learned that the Lord said to the leader of the synagogue, "Believe, and your daughter will live," she thought to herself that he who could bring back the soul of a little girl of twelve into her body would also be able to take away an illness of twelve years and expel it from the body. When she heard him say, "Believe firmly and your daughter will live," this woman reflected, "I can give the faith he requires as the price." The healing came forth from his mouth, and he negotiated as its price the faith expressed by the woman's mouth. He gave a clear healing and demanded a clear price. The healing that came out from his lips could be heard publicly, and he required from the lips a faith openly professed. Although the woman professed before everyone, they did not believe her, especially since her pains were hidden. When the Lord opened the eyes of the blind man, they called him a madman, and when he restored Lazarus to life, certain people, even among those who had seen for themselves, did not believe. This is why he restored the little girl of twelve years to life. He who was able to put the continued vitality of twelve years in the body back into its place was also able to arrest and banish from its place a flow of blood that continued for twelve years. He who was able to alleviate one illness was also able to banish another. He who was able to vivify all the dead members of this little girl was also able to heal the woman's womb.
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 7.26They maintain, further, that that girl of twelve years old, the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, to whom the Lord approached and raised her from the dead, was a type of Achamoth, to whom their Christ, by extending himself, imparted shape, and whom he led anew to the perception of that light which had forsaken her.
Against Heresies (Book I, Chapter 8)Through urgent need then he fell at His feet, as it follows, And he fell at Jesus' feet; but it were right for him without a pressing necessity to fall at Christ's feet and acknowledge Him to be God.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Vide Victor. Ant. in Mark 5.) The name is inserted for the sake of the Jews, who at that time well knew the event, that the name might be a demonstrative proof of the miracle. And there came not one of the lowest, but a ruler of the synagogue, that the mouths of the Jews might be the more closed. As it follows, And he was a ruler of the synagogue. Now he came to Christ because of his need; for grief sometimes urges us to do those things which are right, according to the Psalm, Hold their mouths with bit and bridle, who come not nigh unto thee. (Ps. 32:9.)
Catena Aurea by AquinasFor he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
ὅτι θυγάτηρ μονογενὴς ἦν αὐτῷ ὡς ἐτῶν δώδεκα, καὶ αὕτη ἀπέθνησκεν. ἐν δὲ τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτὸν οἱ ὄχλοι συνέπνιγον αὐτόν.
ꙗ҆́кѡ дщѝ є҆диноро́дна бѣ̀ є҆мꙋ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ лѣ́тъ двоюна́десѧте, и҆ та̀ ᲂу҆мира́ше. Є҆гда́ же и҆дѧ́ше, наро́ди ᲂу҆гнета́хꙋ є҆го̀.
But while the Word of God hastens to this daughter of the ruler that He might save the children of Israel, the holy Church collected from among the Gentiles which was perishing by its falling away into gross crimes, seized first by faith the health prepared for others.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut what means it that this daughter of the ruler was dying at twelve years, and the woman was afflicted with the issue of blood for twelve years, but that it might be understood that as long as the Synagogue flourished the Church was weak. For almost in the same age of the world, the Synagogue began to grow up among the patriarchs, and idolatry to pollute the Gentile nation.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Asterius.) But the cause of his coming is told by adding, For he had only one daughter, the prop of his house, the succession of his race, about twelve years old, in the very flower of her age; and she lay dying, about to be carried to the grave instead of her nuptial bed.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBecause he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. The Synagogue itself, which alone was composed by legal institution, as if it were the only daughter of Moses, as if in the twelfth year of age, that is, when the time of puberty was approaching, was dying; because, having been nobly brought up by the prophets, after reaching the age of understanding, after it ought to generate spiritual fruits for God, suddenly distressed by the languor of errors, despairingly omitted to enter the ways of spiritual life. And if it were not helped by Christ, it would have fallen into horrendous death in every respect.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd it happened, as he went, the crowd pressed against him. The Lord, going to heal the girl, was pressed by the crowd, because, providing salutary advice to the Jewish people, which would raise its conscience sick with vices, he was burdened by the harmful custom of carnal populations.
On the Gospel of LukeBut to this insistence he was driven by need, which he expresses when he says: Because she was his only daughter, and thus very much to be loved. For, in 2 Kings 1, "as a mother loves her only son, so did I love you," said David. Moreover she was lovable not only because she was his only child, but also because she was a young girl; and therefore he adds: About twelve years of age; and because she was tender, she was therefore to be loved with a tender love, according to that word of Genesis 37: "Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had begotten him in his old age." And because her life was very much to be loved, therefore her death was very much to be grieved.
On account of which he adds: And she was dying; which could not be without great sorrow, such as is in the mourning for an only child; Jeremiah 6: "Make for yourself mourning as for an only child, a bitter lamentation." Therefore Jacob said concerning Benjamin in Genesis 42: "My son shall not go down with you, he said, for his brother is dead, and he alone remains. If any harm should befall him on the way, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave." So also here he could say the same concerning his only daughter.
Since therefore he approached the presence of Christ with dutiful reverence, asked out of confidence, and desired out of need, therefore his prayer was heard, according to that word of Ecclesiasticus 4: "Do not reject the petition of the afflicted." Hence it is that the Lord did not rebuke this man who was asking him to come to his house, as he did the royal official in John 4; because the royal official believed that he could heal the sick more readily than raise the dead, whence he said: "Lord, come down before my son dies." But this man believed that he could do equally well in either case, whence he regarded his daughter as already dead. — And therefore another Evangelist, namely Matthew, introduces him asking on behalf of one who was dead, although according to Luke and Mark some life yet remained. Whence Augustine in On the Harmony of the Evangelists says that Mark and Luke expressed the ruler's words, but Matthew expressed his meaning, because he regarded her as dead.
Third, as to the accompaniment of benevolence shown by the multitude, it is added: And it happened, as he went, he was pressed by the crowds: because out of the affection of love all wished to touch him, as above in chapter six: "The whole multitude sought to touch him." In this also, conversely, the benevolence of the Savior is shown: who even wills to be pressed by the multitude, as if repelling no one from himself. For he it is who says in John six: "Everyone who comes to me, I will not cast out"; he who calls in Matthew eleven: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you"; he it is who knocks at the door; Revelation three: "I stand at the door and knock." This pressing together is caused by mutual love, which is the bond of the lover and the beloved: because, First Corinthians six, "he who cleaves to the Lord is one spirit"; and John fifteen: "Abide in me, and I in you." Whence perfect love is not content with any sense without touch: on account of which the bride says in Song of Songs one: "Draw me after you"; Jeremiah thirty-one: "With everlasting love I have loved you, therefore I have drawn you."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8This was the greatest sign that He had really put on our flesh, and trampled under foot all pride. For they followed Him not afar off, but thronged Him.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(ubi sup.) But the Lord had come not to judge the world, but to save it. Whereupon He does not weigh the rank of the petitioner, but calmly undertakes the work, knowing that what was to happen would be greater than what was asked. For He was called to heal the sick, but He knew that He would raise up one that was by this time dead, and implant on the earth a firm hope of the resurrection.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
καὶ γυνὴ οὖσα ἐν ρύσει αἵματος ἀπὸ ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἥτις ἰατροῖς προσαναλώσασα ὅλον τὸν βίον οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ὑπ᾿ οὐδενὸς θεραπευθῆναι,
И҆ жена̀ сꙋ́щи въ точе́нїи кро́ве ѿ двоюна́десѧте лѣ̑тꙋ, ꙗ҆́же врачє́мъ и҆зда́вши всѐ и҆мѣ́нїе, (и҆) не возмо́же ни ѿ є҆ди́нагѡ и҆сцѣлѣ́ти:
The assembly of the nations is like the woman who spent all her money on physicians. The assembly of nations also lost all the gifts of nature and squandered the inheritance of life. It was holy, shy, pious, ready in faith, and hesitant in modesty, because it is a sign of modesty to recognize the weakness of faith and not to despair of pardon. The shy woman touched the hem, the faithful approached, the pious believed, the wise knew she was healed. The holy people of the nations that believed in God were so ashamed of their sin that they abandoned it. Brought faith, they believed. They showed devotion, so that they entreated. They put on wisdom, so that they perceived their own health. They took confidence, so that they confessed the alien truth that they snatched.Why is Christ touched from behind? Is it because it is written, "You shall follow the Lord your God"? Why is it that the twelve-year-old daughter of the ruler was dying and the woman with a flow of blood was afflicted for twelve years, except that it is understood that as long as the synagogue flourished, the church suffered? The weakness of the one is the virtue of the other, because by their offense salvation has come to the Gentiles. The consummation of the one is the beginning of the other, the beginning not of nature but of salvation.
Commentary on LukeBut as she had spent all her substance upon physicians, so the Gentile nations had lost all the gifts of nature.
Now hearing that the people of the Jews were sick, she begins to hope for the remedy of their salvation; she knew that the time was arrived when a Physician should come from heaven, she rose to meet Him, more ready from faith, more backward from modesty. For this is the part of modesty and faith to acknowledge weakness, not to despair of pardon. From modesty then she touched the hem of His garment; in faith she came, in piety believed, in wisdom knew herself to be healed; so the holy people of the Gentiles which believed God, blushed at its sins so as to desert them, offered its faith in believing, showed its devotion in asking, put on wisdom in itself feeling its own cure, assumed boldness to confess that it had forestalled what was not its own. Now Christ is touched behind, as it is written, Thou shall walk after the Lord thy God (Deut. 13:4.)
For they believe not who throng Him; they believe who touch. By faith Christ is touched, by faith He is seen. Lastly, to express the faith of her who touched Him, He says, I know that virtue is gone out of me, which is a more palpable sign, that the Divine Nature is not confined within the possibility of man's condition, and the compass of the human body, but eternal virtue overflows beyond the bounds of our mediocrity. For the Gentile people is not released by man's aid, but the gathering of nations is the gift of God, which even by its little faith turns to itself the everlasting mercy. For if we think what our faith is, and understand how great the Son of God is, we see that in comparison of Him we touch only the hem, we cannot reach the upper parts of the garment. If then we also wish to be cured, let us touch by faith the hem of Christ. But he who has touched Him is not hidden. Happy the man who has touched the extreme part of the Word. For who can comprehend the whole?
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(ubi sup.) Now a certain woman afflicted with a severe disease, whose infirmity had consumed her body, but physicians all her substance, finds her only hope in such great humbleness that she falls down before our Lord; of whom it follows, And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, &c.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThen a woman, weak and timid, touched his sacred garment's hem: Instant was his blessed healing, and the pallor left her cheek, As the hemorrhage she had suffered. Through so many years was stopped. -.
And a certain woman was in the flow of blood for twelve years. The woman flowing with blood is the Church gathered from the gentiles, which, polluted by the inborn flow of carnal delights, had already been separated from the company of the faithful. But when the Word of God decided to save Judaea, it snatched away certain salvation from others with firm hope. It is also to be noted that the daughter of the synagogue leader is twelve years old, and this woman had been flowing with blood for twelve years, that is, she began to be sick at the same time that the other was born. For almost at the same period of this age of the world, the synagogue was born among the patriarchs, and the nation of the gentiles began to be defiled by the filth of idolatry throughout the world. For the double flow of blood, that is, both over the prostitution of idolatry and over those things that are committed by the delight of flesh and blood, can be understood. Whence the sacred history beautifully refers that at the time when David, still a boy, slew the giant Goliath, the Philistines were encamped in the borders of Dommim, that is, of the bloods. Because evidently the Lord, appearing humble, found the peoples of the gentiles not only given to unfruitful works but also to the most filthy religion, in order to overthrow the prince of the world. Therefore, as long as the synagogue flourished, the Church toiled. The decline of that is the strength of this, because through their sin, salvation came to the gentiles.
On the Gospel of LukeShe had spent all her substance on physicians and could not be healed by any. By physicians, he either means false theologians, philosophers, or secular law doctors who, discussing virtues and vices with great subtlety, promised to provide useful teachings for mortals on seeing and believing, or he certainly means the unclean spirits themselves who, as if advising men, suggested that they should already be worshiped as God. The more Gentile civilization spent its strength on listening to these, the less it could be cured of its own filth of iniquity. Hence, Mark, writing about this woman, says: "And she had suffered much from many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse." But when she learned that the people of the Jews were sick, and recognized the true physician from heaven to be present, she also began to hope for and seek a remedy for her own ailment.
On the Gospel of LukeNow the issue of blood may be taken in two ways, that is, both for the prostitution of idolatry, and for those things which are done for the delights of the flesh and blood.
Now by physicians understand either false doctors, or philosophers and teachers of secular laws, who disputing much concerning virtue and vice, promised that they would give to mortals useful instructions for life; or suppose that by the physicians are signified the unclean spirits themselves, who by giving as it were advice to men, procure themselves to be worshipped as God, on listening to whom the Gentiles the more they consumed the strength of their natural industry, so much the less were they able to be cured from the pollution of their iniquity.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd a certain woman was in a flow etc. After the desirable presence of Christ has been shown, his admirable power is shown in the wondrous healing from a flow of blood. The Evangelist shows that this healing proceeded from admirable omnipotence, both on account of the long duration of the illness in the woman, and on account of the impossibility of curing by medical art, and on account of the ease of the remedy from the Savior.
First, therefore, as to the long duration of the unclean affliction in the woman, it is said: And a certain woman was in a flow of blood for twelve years. This was an unclean affliction, and therefore difficult to bear; Leviticus fifteen: "A woman who suffers a flow of blood, if it does not cease to flow, as long as she is subject to this affliction, she is unclean." It was difficult to heal on account of its persistence, because it was already of long standing: Sirach ten: "A prolonged illness weighs upon the physician." This affliction was therefore unclean, continuous, and of long duration; therefore degrading to live with, grievous to endure, and difficult to heal. Whence she could say that word of Lamentations three: "He has made my skin and my flesh old," and that word of the Psalm: "My loins are filled with illusions, and there is no soundness in my flesh." This woman, according to Ambrose, seems to have been Martha. For he says: "Christ dried up the copious flow of blood in Martha and cast out demons from Mary."
Second, regarding the impossibility of human assistance through art, it is added: Who had spent all her substance on physicians, seeking a remedy for her cure, according to the counsel of Ecclesiasticus thirty-eight: "Honor the physician for the need you have of him, for the Most High has created him." He says this, however, concerning the honor of gifts, not of words: whence she had honored them, because she had spent all her substance. And therefore it is probable that, if the illness had been curable, it would have been cured through art. — Nevertheless, art did not avail: whence he adds: Nor could she be cured by anyone, and thus neither by nature nor by art could she be helped, so that there might be verified in her that word of Wisdom sixteen: "Neither herb nor poultice healed them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all things."
Whence note that nature can do nothing without supernatural power, nor can art do anything without nature: whence where nature does not assist, art does not avail but rather harms, as in this woman, of whom it is said in Mark five that "she had suffered much from many physicians and had spent all she had, nor had she improved at all, but rather grew worse." But Luke the physician passes over this in silence, speaking more courteously of physicians. — From which it is gathered that the art of physicians is praiseworthy when it follows supernatural power and the underlying nature. Whence it is said in Ecclesiasticus thirty-eight: "Give place to the physician, let him not depart from you." But then the work of the physician will be blameworthy when he neglects either to consider nature or does not set divine power first, as is said of Asa in Second Chronicles sixteen: "Asa fell grievously ill with a disease of the feet, and yet he did not seek the Lord, but rather trusted in the art of physicians"; and it follows that "he died."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8On the way, he saved the woman who was the victim of a severe and incurable malady. No one could stop her issue of blood that ruined the art of physicians. No sooner had she touched the hem in faith, than he immediately healed her. A miracle so glorious and revealed was, so to speak, the work merely of Christ's journey.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 46Certainly the woman who had the issue of blood of twelve years' standing did not touch the Lord Himself, but only the hem of His garment, with a view to her cure.
The Epistle to Bishop Basilides, Canon IIGlory to you, hidden offspring of Being, because the hidden suffering of her that was afflicted proclaimed your healing. Using a woman whom they could see, he enabled them to see the divinity that cannot be seen. The Son's divinity became known through his healing, and the afflicted woman's faith was revealed through her being healed. She caused him to be proclaimed, and she was proclaimed with him. Truth was being proclaimed together with its heralds. If she was a witness to his divinity, he in turn was a witness to her faith.She poured faith on him by way of reward, and he bestowed healing on her as the outcome of her reward. Since the woman's faith had become public, her healing also was proclaimed in public. The physicians were put to shame about their remedies because his power became resplendent and magnified the Son. It became evident how great faith surpasses the healing art and how hidden power surpasses visible remedies.
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 7.1-2If the woman once cured had withdrawn from him in secret, our Lord would have deprived her of a crown of victory. It was fitting that the faith that shined out brightly in hidden agony was publicly crowned. He wove an eloquent crown for her, because he said to her, "Go in peace." The peace he gave was the crown of her victory. When he said, "Go in peace," he did not end here but also added, "Your faith has saved you," so that they would know who was this crown's Lord. This would make known that the peace his mouth wove was the crown that crowned her faith. "Your faith has saved you." If it was faith that restored her to life, it is clear that he crowned her faith with a crown. This is why he cried out, "Who touched my garments?" He said this so all the people might know who touched more than anyone else did. She chose to honor him more than others do, first, by approaching from behind, and second, in that she touched the fringe of his cloak. It was also fitting that he would honor her before all of these, she who chose to honor him more than all these.
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 7.10(Eccles. Hist. l. vii. c. 18.) Now they say that the woman set up in Paneas (Cæsarea Philippi, whence she came) a noble triumphal monument of the mercy vouchsafed to her by the Saviour. For there stood upon a lofty pedestal near the entrance to her house a brasen statue of a woman on bended knees, and with her hands joined as if in prayer; opposite to which was erected another statue like to a man, made of the same material, clothed in a stole, (διπλοῑς.a) and holding forth his hand to the woman. At his feet upon the base itself a strange kind of plant was growing, which reaching to the hem of the brasen stole, was said to be the cure of all diseases. And they said that this statue represents Christ. It was destroyed by Maximinus.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThen a woman, weak and timid, touched his sacred garment's hem: Instant was his blessed healing, and the pallor left her cheek, As the hemorrhage she had suffered Through so many years was stopped.
HYMN FOR EVERY DAY 9.33-44Allow me some indulgence in my effort against the heretic. Jesus is touched by the woman who had an issue of blood, He knew not by whom.
Against Marcion Book IV(non occ.) Of how great praise then is this woman worthy, who with her bodily powers exhausted by the continual issue of blood, and with so great a crowd thronging around Him, in the strength of her affection and faith entered the crowd, and coming behind, secretly touched the hem of His garment.
Catena Aurea by AquinasCame behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
προσελθοῦσα ὄπισθεν ἥψατο τοῦ κρασπέδου τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ παραχρῆμα ἔστη ἡ ρύσις τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς.
(и҆) пристꙋ́пльши созадѝ, коснꙋ́сѧ кра́ѧ ри́зъ є҆гѡ̀: и҆ а҆́бїе ста̀ то́къ кро́ве є҆ѧ̀.
She came up behind and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased. The Church approaches and touches the Lord, who draws near to Him through the truth of faith. She comes up behind Him, either according to what He Himself said: "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me" (John 12), and elsewhere it is commanded: "You shall walk after the Lord your God"; or because, not seeing the Lord present in the flesh, after the sacraments of the temporal dispensation were accomplished, she began to follow His footsteps through faith. She touches the fringe of His garment and restrains the flow of blood because blessed and truly to be purified is he who touches even the hem of the word with the hand of faith. For it is very rare to find one who deserves to recline on His chest or anoint His head with pure nard, since even that great one deemed himself unworthy to carry His sandals; and great too was she who merited to anoint His feet and wipe them with her hair.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd He Himself says, If any man serve me, let him follow me. (John 13:26.) Or, because not seeing Christ present in the flesh, now that the sacraments of the temporary dispensation were completed, the Church began to follow His footsteps through faith.
Or one believing woman touches the Lord, since Christ who is afflicted beyond measure by the diverse heresies multiplying around Him, is faithfully sought by the heart alone of the Catholic Church.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThird, regarding the ease of perfect healing from the Savior, it is added: She came up from behind and touched the fringe of his garment. She came up, because she believed; Hebrews eleven: "He who comes must believe"; from behind, because she was afraid, just as a sister of hers, Mary, above in chapter seven: "Standing behind at the feet of the Lord." She touched, because she hoped to be healed; Matthew nine: "She said within herself: If I touch the fringe of his garment, I shall be healed." She touched, moreover, the fringe, that is, the lowest part of his garment, considering herself unclean and honoring the power of Christ, who can give healing through the lowliest things.
And because she believed and hoped, she therefore easily obtained what she sought. For this reason it is added: And immediately her flow of blood stopped: from which the wondrous power of God is apparent, which cured so prolonged and so grave a disease immediately at the touch of one small part of the garment. Wondrous therefore is the power of Christ, which through faith in him makes the impossible easy, according to that passage in Mark 9: "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes"; and John 14: "He who believes in me, the works that I do, he also shall do, and greater than these shall he do"; and Acts 19: "God worked no small miracles through the hand of Paul, so that even from his body handkerchiefs and aprons were carried away, and diseases departed from them." If therefore it is so salutary to touch the fringe of his garment through faith, how salutary will it be to hold Christ himself? Whence Bernard says: "It is sweet enough to seek you, good Jesus, sweeter still to hold you"; whence the bride in Song of Songs 3: "I held him and would not let him go." "Sweet indeed is the touching of you; for even this joyful act is not without fruit. For the woman of the Gospel by a happy theft touched the fringe of Jesus, and immediately there stopped in her the flow of carnal enticement, carnal delight, and carnal care."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8What made that sick woman wish to remain hidden? The law of wise Moses imputed impurity to any woman who was suffering from a flow of blood and everywhere called her unclean. Whoever was unclean could not touch any thing that was holy or approach a holy man. For this reason the woman was careful to remain concealed, for fear that having transgressed the law she should have to bear the punishment which it imposed. When she touched, she was healed immediately and without delay.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 45For it was not lawful for the unclean either to touch any of the holy saints, or come near a holy man.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut not the garments alone saved her, (for the soldiers also allotted them among themselves,) but the earnestness of her faith.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut as when a man turns his eye to a shining light, or puts fuel to the fire, immediately they have their effects; so indeed he who brings faith to Him who is able to cure, immediately obtains his cure; as it is said, and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
For she believed, and was saved, and as was fitting first touched Christ with her mind, then with her body.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς· τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου; ἀρνουμένων δὲ πάντων εἶπεν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ· ἐπιστάτα, οἱ ὄχλοι συνέχουσί σε καὶ ἀποθλίβουσι, καὶ λέγεις τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου;
И҆ речѐ і҆и҃съ: кто̀ є҆́сть коснꙋ́выйсѧ мнѣ̀; Ѿмета́ющымсѧ же всѣ̑мъ, речѐ пе́тръ и҆ и҆̀же съ ни́мъ: наста́вниче, наро́ди ѡ҆держа́тъ тѧ̀ и҆ гнетꙋ́тъ, и҆ гл҃еши: кто̀ є҆́сть коснꙋ́выйсѧ мнѣ̀;
(Asterius.) But the Lord heard the woman's silent thoughts, and silently released her silent, permitting willingly the seizing of her cure. But afterwards He makes known the miracle, as it follows: And Jesus said, Who touched me?
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Victor. Ant.) Now His disciples who knew not what was asked, but supposed He spoke merely of one touching Him, answer our Lord's question, as follows, When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude press thee and throng thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? Our Lord therefore distinguishes the touching by His answer, as it follows, And Jesus said, Somebody has touched me: as He said also, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, although all had bodily hearing of this kind; but it is not truly hearing if a man hear carelessly, nor truly touching if he touch unfaithfully. He now therefore publishes what was done, as it is added, For I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. He answers rather materially, in consideration of the minds of His hearers. He is here, however, manifested to us to be the true God, both by His miraculous deed, and by His word. For it is beyond us, and perhaps beyond angels also, to be able to communicate virtue as from our own nature. This belongs to the Supreme Nature alone. For nothing created possesses the power of healing, or even of doing any other like miracles, except it be divinely given. But it was not from desire of glory that He suffered not to remain concealed the exhibition of His divine power, Who had so often charged silence about His miracles, but because He looked to their advantage who are called through faith to grace.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd Jesus said: "Who touched Me?" Not to be taught what He did not know, but so that the power of faith, which He knew and indeed gave to the woman, might be manifested, He asked.
On the Gospel of LukeBut with everyone denying it, Peter and those who were with him said: "Master, the crowds are pressing on you and afflicting you, and you say, 'Who touched me?'" The crowds press on all sides unpredictably, but one believing woman touches the Lord. For one who is afflicted by the various heresies amassed disorderly only seeks the one with a faithful heart of the Catholic Church. For, just as some see but do not see, and hear but do not hear, so too, those who touch do not touch, who do not faithfully touch Christ. Hence, to a certain one who loves indeed but who has not yet fully believed, he says: "Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father" (John XX); clearly teaching what it means to truly touch Him, that is, to believe Him equal to the Father.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd Jesus said etc. After it has been shown that Christ's presence is desirable and his power admirable, here thirdly his wisdom is shown to be infallible: and this in three ways, namely through the apprehension of hidden truth, through the disclosure of apprehended truth, and through the approval of disclosed truth.
First therefore is introduced the apprehension of hidden truth by Christ through his own inquiry, when it is said: And Jesus said: Who touched me? He says this not in order to learn, but so that what is known to him he may disclose to others, according to what is said in the Psalm: "His eyelids question the children of men; the Lord questions the just and the wicked"; not so that he might learn something from them, but so that he might teach what they do not know.
Whence, because they did not know the reason for the question, it is added: But when all denied it, Peter said, and those who were with him, that is, the other disciples, not understanding the reason for this question; whence that word of Matthew 15 could be said to them: "Are you also still without understanding?" — because they understood that question carnally, not spiritually.
This is evident in what he adduces: Master, the crowds press upon you and afflict you, and you say: Who touched me? — as if to say: since all touch you indiscriminately, how do you ask about someone in particular? Whence they wondered how Christ, teacher and master, would inquire as if in doubt about what was manifest to all; and therefore they rightly wondered how Christ would pose a question that appears foolish, since it is said in Second Timothy 2: "Avoid foolish and undisciplined questions." But because they had a carnal understanding, they had to be led by the hand to a spiritual one.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8The facts then are these, that Jesus professed Himself in some sense ignorant, and within a moment showed that He really was so. To believe in the Incarnation, to believe that He is God, makes it hard to understand how He could be ignorant, but also makes it certain that if He said He could be ignorant, then ignorant He could really be. For a God who can be ignorant is less baffling than a God who falsely professes ignorance.
The answer of theologians is that the God-Man was omniscient as God and ignorant as man. This, no doubt, is true, though it cannot be imagined. Nor, indeed, can the unconsciousness of Christ in sleep be imagined, nor the twilight of reason in His infancy. Still less is merely organic life in His mother's womb.
But the physical sciences, no less than theology, propose for our belief much that cannot be imagined. A generation which has accepted the curvature of space need not boggle at the impossibility of imagining the consciousness of incarnate God. In that consciousness the temporal and the timeless were united. I think we can acquiesce in mystery at that point, provided we do not aggravate it by our tendency to picture the timeless life of God as simply another sort of time.
We are committing that blunder whenever we ask how Christ could be, at the same moment, ignorant and omniscient, or how He could be the God who neither slumbers nor sleeps while He slept. The italicized words conceal an attempt to establish a temporal relation between His timeless life as God and the days, months, and years of His life as man. And, of course, there is no such relation.
The incarnation is not an episode in the life of God. The Lamb is slain, and therefore presumably born, grown to maturity, and risen from all eternity. The taking up into God's nature of humanity, with all its ignorance and limitations, is not itself a temporal event, though the humanity which is so taken up was, like our own, a thing living and dying in time.
And if limitation, and therefore ignorance, was thus taken up, we ought to expect that the ignorance should, at some time, be actually displayed. It would be difficult and, to me, repellent, to suppose that Jesus never asked a genuine question, that is, a question to which He did not know the answer. That would make of His humanity something so unlike ours as scarcely to deserve the name.
I find it easier to believe that when He said, 'Who touched Me?' Luke chapter 8, verse 45, He really wanted to know.
The World's Last Night (Essay)"Who touched me? For a power has gone forth from me." A detail such as this is not reported about our Physician in any other place. This is because in no other place did our Physician encounter an affliction such as this. This affliction was presented to many physicians, yet only one Physician encountered this affliction to heal it. Many physicians encountered and wearied her. Only one encountered her who was able to give her rest from the toil of many physicians. The art of healing encountered a shameful affliction but added pain after pain to it. The more they came, the worse the affliction got. The fringe of the Lord's cloak touched her and uprooted this suffering from its root. She perceived within herself that he healed her affliction.Since the art of healing clothed with all our practical wisdom was reduced to silence, the divinity clothed with garments was proclaimed. He clothed himself in the body and came down to humanity, so that humanity might loot him. He revealed his divinity through signs, so that faith in his humanity alone could not be explained. He revealed his humanity that the higher beings might believe that he was a lower being, and he revealed his divinity so that the lower beings would accept that he was a higher being. He took on a human body so that humanity might be able to attain to divinity, and he revealed his divinity so that his humanity might not be trampled under foot.
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 7.16-17(Mor. 3. c. 11. Job 2.) But while the crowd thronged Him, one woman touched our Redeemer, because all carnal men in the Church oppress Him from whom they are afar off, and they alone touch Him who are joined to Him in humility. () The crowd therefore press Him and touch Him not, because it is both importunate in presence, and absent in life.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· ἥψατό μού τις· ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔγνων δύναμιν ἐξελθοῦσαν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ.
І҆и҃съ же речѐ: прикоснꙋ́сѧ мнѣ̀ нѣ́кто: а҆́зъ бо чꙋ́хъ си́лꙋ и҆зше́дшꙋю и҆з̾ менє̀.
And Jesus said: "Someone touched me. For I know that power has gone out from me," etc. Let Pelagius say, if he pleases, that he is saved by his own effort. But let us say that the salvation of man is vain, in God we shall do virtue. For He also knows that the power, which is propitious to all our iniquities and heals all our infirmities, goes out not from ourselves but from Him. Therefore, He does not ignore the one who has touched the hem of His garment, that is, the mysteries of the incarnation, until he reaches the greater truths, having believed perfectly by fully loving.
On the Gospel of LukeFor which reason he adds: And Jesus said: Someone has touched me, that is, some person, namely by a spiritual touch; and he proves this: For I know that virtue has gone out from me. He says this with regard to the effect of the healing; and thus is verified that passage from Wisdom 12: "But you show your power, you who are not believed to be consummate in power." Moreover, he shows the effect going out from him, according to what is said above in the sixth chapter, that "virtue went out from him and healed all." Nor is this surprising, because, in First Corinthians 1, "we preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God"; Hebrews 1: "Upholding all things by the word of his power."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8That woman was delivered, being saved from a state of suffering thus bitter and incurable; and thereby we again obtain the firm assurance, that the Emmanuel is very God. How and in what manner? Both from the miraculous event itself, and from the words which with divine dignity He spake. "For, I know, He said, that power has gone forth from Me." But it transcends our degree, or probably that even of the angels, to send forth any power, and that of their own nature, as something that is of themselves. Such an act is an attribute appropriate solely to the Nature That is above all, and supreme. For every created being whatsoever that is endued with power, whether of healing, or the like, possesses it not of itself, but as a thing given it by God. For to the creature all things are given, and wrought in it, and of itself it can do nothing. As God therefore He said "I knew that power has gone forth from Me."
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 45For the miracle which was performed escaped not the Lord, but He who knew all things asks as if He were ignorant.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
ἰδοῦσα δὲ ἡ γυνὴ ὅτι οὐκ ἔλαθε, τρέμουσα ἦλθε καὶ προσπεσοῦσα αὐτῷ δι᾿ ἣν αἰτίαν ἥψατο αὐτοῦ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ὡς ἰάθη παραχρῆμα.
Ви́дѣвши же жена̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ не ᲂу҆таи́сѧ, трепе́щꙋщи прїи́де, и҆ па́дши пред̾ ни́мъ, є҆ѧ́же ра́ди вины̀ прикоснꙋ́сѧ є҆мꙋ̀, повѣ́да є҆мꙋ̀ пред̾ всѣ́ми людьмѝ, и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆сцѣлѣ̀ а҆́бїе.
Secondly, there is added the disclosure of the truth discovered through another's confession, when it is said: But the woman, seeing that she was not hidden from him; whence she could say that word of the Samaritan woman, John 4: "Lord, I perceive that you are a Prophet." For which reason she too could bear similar testimony with that woman and therefore say: "Come and see a man who told me all things whatsoever I have done." This one was truly another Solomon, nay wiser than he, of whom it is said in Third Kings 10: "There was no word that could be hidden from the king"; because he is the one of whom Daniel 2 says: "He knows what is established in darkness, and light is with him." And because she had already recognized his power in its effect and perceived his wisdom in his word, therefore she understood that she could not escape. — And for this reason it is added: And trembling, she came and fell down at his feet, to honor his Majesty; Micah 6: "What worthy thing shall I offer to the Lord? Shall I bow the knee to God most high?" And this with trembling, because God regards only such persons; Isaiah, last chapter: "To whom shall I look, but to the poor little one who trembles at my words?" And therefore, Philippians 2: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for God works in you both to will and to accomplish according to his good will."
And because nothing pertains more to the honor of Majesty than the manifestation of truth, therefore it is added: And for what cause she had touched him, she declared before all the people, namely how she was immediately healed; because, Tobit 12, "it is honorable to reveal and confess the works of God." And therefore the Angel said: "Bless the God of heaven and confess to him before all the living, because he has shown his mercy to you."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· θάρσει, θύγατερ, ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε· πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην.
Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ є҆́й: дерза́й дщѝ, вѣ́ра твоѧ̀ сп҃се́ тѧ: и҆дѝ въ ми́рѣ.
But he said to her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." Therefore, daughter, because your faith has made you well. Nor did He say, your faith will make you well, but has made you well. For in what you have believed, you are now made well.
On the Gospel of LukeThird, there is added the approval of the truth brought to light through a definitive commendation, when it is subjoined: But he said to her: Daughter, your faith has made you whole, as if to say: you justly obtained this because you believed; as if to say: faith made you a daughter; according to that of John 1: "He gave them power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name." Faith also made you whole, because, Romans 10, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Hence in this appears the wondrous dispensation of our salvation, because the healed woman attributes everything to divine power, according to that of Romans 9: "It is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy"; God who saves attributes everything to the merit of faith; as is said in Mark 9: "If you can believe, all things are possible to the one who believes."
And since in the acquisition of salvation there consequently occurs the acquisition of peace, therefore it is added: Go in peace, as a friend and daughter of God: Wisdom 3: "Gift and peace are for the elect of God." Peace is that which the Lord wishes for all and commands to be wished, according to that below in chapter 10: "Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house." This is what above all else he gives: John 14: "Peace I leave to you, my peace I give to you"; this is that to which we are specially called: Matthew 11: "Take my yoke upon you, and you shall find rest"; and John 16: "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but take confidence, I have overcome the world." On this, Philippians 4: "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," my Lord.
And note that the Lord commends the faith of three women, whom he hears and saves. He commended the Magdalene above in chapter 7, saying a similar word: "Your faith has made you whole"; and he commends this woman here; and the Canaanite woman, Matthew 15, to whom he said: "Woman, great is your faith."
In these three women the three parts of penance are spiritually understood. For the first, who wept and bathed with tears, gives us to understand contrition. The Canaanite woman, who cried out, gives us to understand confession: but this woman, who touched the garment, gives us to understand satisfaction. Concerning the Magdalene it is read above in chapter 7, that "standing behind at the feet of the Lord, she began to bathe [them] with tears," etc. Concerning the Canaanite woman, Matthew 15, the disciples say: "Send her away, for she cries out after us." Concerning this woman it is said here that "she came up behind and touched the fringe of his garment." But by the touch of the garment is understood the imitation in the labor of holy conduct.
Hence note that we read that Christ was touched on the foot by Magdalene, above in chapter seven: touched on the garment by the woman with the issue of blood, as here: touched on the side by Thomas: John twenty, "Put your hand into my side." In this is understood a threefold imitation of those drawing near to Christ, namely in the effect of good work, in the habit of holy conduct, in the endurance of bitter suffering, in which consists the wholeness of perfect satisfaction. For by the movement of the feet is understood the rectitude of good work; Ezekiel one: "Their feet were straight feet." By the garment, however, is understood the dignity of holy conduct; Apocalypse sixteen: "Blessed is he who keeps his garments, lest he walk naked." Such is he who imitates Christ; Romans thirteen: "Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." By the wounded side of Christ and the pierced hands and feet is understood the endurance of bitter suffering, according to that verse of the Psalm: "They have pierced my hands and my feet." For in these things we touch Christ, when by his wounds we are armed for endurance: First Peter four: "Since Christ therefore has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same thought."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8Moreover, He persuaded the ruler of the synagogue to believe undoubtingly that He would rescue his daughter from the hands of death.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(ubi sup.) For first He removes the woman's fear, lest she should suffer the pangs of conscience, for as it were stealing the grace. Next He reproves her for thinking to lie concealed. Thirdly, He makes known her faith publicly for the sake of others, and betrays no less a miracle than the stanching of blood, by showing that all things are open to His sight.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut the same cure which the woman obtained by touching Him, our Saviour confirmed by His word; as it follows, And he said unto her, Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, that is, Be released from thy scourge. And indeed He first heals her soul by faith, then truly her body.
Catena Aurea by AquinasHere, then, is a God who is not merciful by nature, but in hostility! Yet, if we find that such was the merit of this woman's faith, that He said unto her, Thy faith hath saved thee." what are you, that you should detect an hostility to the law in that act, which the Lord Himself shows us to have been done as a reward of faith? But will you have it that this faith of the woman consisted in the contempt which she had acquired for the law? Who can suppose, that a woman who had been.
Against Marcion Book IVWhen Christ approved of the faith of this woman, which simply rested in the Creator, He declared by His answer to her, that He was Himself the divine object of the faith of which He approved.
Against Marcion Book IV(non occ.) He calls her daughter, as already healed because of her faith, for faith claims the grace of adoption.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhile he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
Ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἔρχεταί τις παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχισυναγώγου λέγων αὐτῷ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ἡ θυγάτηρ σου· μὴ σκύλλε τὸν διδάσκαλον.
Є҆щѐ є҆мꙋ̀ гл҃ющꙋ, прїи́де нѣ́кїй ѿ а҆рхїсѷнагѡ́га, глаго́лѧ є҆мꙋ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ ᲂу҆́мре дщѝ твоѧ̀: не дви́жи ᲂу҆чт҃лѧ.
It says, "Servants came to the ruler, saying, 'Do not trouble him.' " Still they were without faith in the resurrection, which Jesus foretold in the law and fulfilled in the gospel. When he came into the house, he approved a few eyewitnesses to the imminent resurrection, because many did not immediately believe the resurrection. Then, as the Lord said, " 'The girl is not dead but sleeps,' they laughed him to scorn." Whoever does not believe, jeers. Those who think they are dead will weep for their dead, but when there is faith in resurrection, there is the appearance not of death but of sleep.
Commentary on LukeBut still also were the servants of the ruler incredulous with regard to the resurrection, which Jesus had foretold in the Law, fulfilled in the Gospel; therefore say they, Do not trouble him; (Ps. 16.) as if it were impossible for Him to raise the dead.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(de Con. Ev. l. ii. c. 28.) But since Matthew states the ruler of the synagogue to have told our Lord that his daughter was not on the point of death but quite dead, and Luke and Mark say, that she was not yet dead, nay, even go so far as to say that there came some afterwards, who told her death; we must examine, lest they should seem to be at variance. And we must understand that for the sake of brevity, Matthew chose rather to say, that our Lord was asked to do what it is obvious He did, namely, to raise the dead. For our Lord needs not the words of the father concerning his daughter, but what is more important, his wishes. Certainly, if the other two or any one of them had mentioned that the father had said what those who came from the house said, that Jesus need not be troubled because the maid was dead, His words which Matthew has related would seem to be at variance with his thoughts. But now to those who brought that message, and said that the Master need not come, it is not said that the father assented. The Lord therefore did not blame him as distrustful, but the more strongly confirms his belief. As it follows, But when Jesus heard it, he answered the father of the girl, Believe only, &c.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhile he was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue ruler, saying to him: "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher." As the woman was healed from the issue of blood, immediately the death of the synagogue ruler's daughter is announced, because while the Church is cleansed from the stain of vices and, due to the merit of faith, is called a daughter, immediately the synagogue, which is of infidelity and envy, is dissolved by the law. Of infidelity indeed, because it did not want to believe in Christ; of envy truly, because it grieved that the Church believed. For it is written in the Acts of the Apostles: On the following Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and contradicted the things spoken by Paul, reviling the way before the multitude (Acts XIII).
On the Gospel of Luke"Do not trouble the Teacher," is said even today by those who see the state of the synagogue so destitute that they do not believe it can be restored, and therefore do not think it should be interceded for its resurrection. But what is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke XVIII). Hence it follows:
On the Gospel of LukeBut mystically, when the woman was cured of the issue of blood, word is brought that the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue is dead; because while the Church was cleansed from the stain of its sins, the Synagogue was forthwith destroyed by unbelief and envy; by unbelief indeed, in that it refused to believe in Christ; by envy, in that it was grieved that the Church had believed.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhile he was still speaking, etc. After the Evangelist showed Christ as lord of bodies through the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, here he shows Christ as lord of souls through the raising of the girl. Now this part has four sections: in the first of which there is set forth the solidity of faith by way of disposing. Second, there is joined the fitness of testimony by way of approving, at: And when he had come to the house, etc. Third, there is shown the sublimity of command by way of effecting, at: But he, taking her by the hand. Fourth, there is noted the renown of the miracle by way of terminating, at: And he commanded that she be given something to eat. And thus the miracle is perfectly described with respect to the fourfold genus of cause.
The solidity of faith of the ruler of the synagogue is described in a twofold respect: first with respect to human dissuasion and with respect to divine persuasion: by the first it is tested and by the second it is strengthened.
First, therefore, as to the testing of faith through human dissuasion, it is said: While he was still speaking, namely Jesus, someone came to the ruler of the synagogue: he came, however, not as an aid like a good angel, as is said in Daniel ten: "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to my aid"; but as a bad messenger he came to impede. On account of which he adds: Saying to him: Your daughter is dead, and thus there can be no hope of life, according to that passage of Second Kings twelve: "Now, since the child is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back any more? I shall go to him rather; he will not return to me."
And therefore he adds: Do not trouble the Master anymore, that is, to lead him with you in vain with toil. This indeed was the word of one not believing that Christ could raise the dead. For he was ignorant of that divine word in John 5: "For the hour is coming, that those who are in the tombs shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live." Hence this messenger was not speaking out of reverence, as the centurion did, above in chapter seven: "Lord, do not be troubled," but out of distrust, as if to say that word of Job 7: "My days have passed more swiftly than a web is cut by the weaver, and they are consumed without any hope."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8And afterwards there met them from the ruler of the synagogue's house a messenger, saying: "Thy daughter is dead: trouble not the Teacher." What, then, was Christ's answer, seeing that He possesses universal sovereignty; that He is Lord of life and death; and by the all-powerful determination of His will accomplishes whatsoever He desires? He saw the man oppressed with the weight of sorrow, swooning, and stupefied, and all but despairing of the possibility of his daughter being rescued from death. For misfortunes are able to disturb even an apparently well-constituted mind, and to estrange it from its settled convictions. To aid him, therefore, He gives him a kind and saving word, fit to sustain him in his fainting state, and work in him an unwavering faith, saying, "Fear not: only believe, and she shall live."
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 46When the woman was healed, our Lord said, "Who touched me?" so that she could profess her healing before everyone. Also in the case of the little girl, he said, "She is sleeping" so that the spectators might testify that she was dead, and then seeing her restored to life, these who scorned would be converted into believers. The witness given by them concerning the death of the little girl and her restoration to life performed by the Lord was a witness in anticipation of his death. Those who would see that he was alive again would not deny it.
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 7.27A(Hom. 31. in Matt.) Our Lord conveniently waited until the death of the girl, that the miracle of her resurrection might be made public. For which reason also He goes slower, and speaks longer with the woman, that the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue may expire, and messengers come to tell Him. As it is said, While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying unto him, Thy daughter is dead.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἀκούσας ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ λέγων· μὴ φοβοῦ· μόνον πίστευε, καὶ σωθήσεται.
І҆и҃съ же слы́шавъ ѿвѣща̀ є҆мꙋ̀, гл҃ѧ: не бо́йсѧ, то́кмѡ вѣ́рꙋй, и҆ сп҃се́на бꙋ́детъ.
(Orat. in Pass. et Crucem. Dom. 4.) Our Lord requires faith from those who invoke Him, not because He needs the assistance of others, (for He is both the Lord and Giver of faith,) but not to seem to bestow His gifts according to His acceptance of persons, He shows that He favours those who believe, lest they should receive benefits without faith, and lose them by unbelief. For when He bestows a favour, He wishes it to last, and when He heals, the cure to remain undisturbed.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut when Jesus heard this, he answered the father of the girl, "Do not be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved." The father of the girl is taken as the assembly of the doctors of the law, about whom the Lord said: The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat (Matt. XXIII). If they themselves would believe, the synagogue subjected to them would also be saved.
On the Gospel of LukeOr this is even to this day said by those who see the state of the synagogue so destitute that they do not believe it can be restored, and therefore think nothing of praying for its resurrection. But those things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Therefore said the Lord to him, Fear not, only believe, and she shall be made whole. (Luke 18:27.) The father of the girl is taken for the assembly of the doctors of the Law, which if it were willing to believe, the Synagogue also which is subject to it will be safe.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSecond, as regards the strengthening of faith through divine persuasion, it is added: But Jesus, having heard this word, which namely could shake the mind of the ruler of the synagogue, because, according to that passage of Proverbs 26, "the words of a whisperer are as it were simple, and they penetrate to the innermost parts of the belly." Lest therefore the word of death penetrate within, he opposes the word of life; and this is the word that solidifies faith, because, in Hebrews 10, "my just one lives by faith; but if he withdraws himself, he shall not please my soul."
Therefore it is added: He said to the father of the girl: Do not fear, namely out of distrust; James 1: "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind." So of Abraham it is said in Romans 4 that "in the promise he did not waver through distrust, but was strengthened in faith, knowing most fully that what God has promised he is also able to do." — And therefore it is added: But only believe, through confidence; John 11: "If you believe, you shall see the glory of God." And therefore he adds: And she shall be saved, through divine power. And to this he ought to have been moved by that which he had said to the healed woman just before this: "Your faith has made you whole." Hence in this there appears the wondrous dispensation of God, who in his miracles requires our faith for our merit. Hence in Matthew 9 he said to the blind men seeking to be enlightened: "Do you believe that I can do this for you? They say to him: Yes, Lord. Then he touched their eyes, saying: According to your faith be it done to you." And since it was difficult to believe that a dead person could be raised, therefore the Lord worked a miracle on the very journey, by which he aided the faith of the ruler of the synagogue, so that it might thus be evident that what is said in First Corinthians 10 is true: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will make also with the temptation an outcome, that you may be able to bear it."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
ἐλθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν οὐκ ἀφῆκεν εἰσελθεῖν οὐδένα εἰ μὴ Πέτρον καὶ Ἰωάννην καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ τὸν πατέρα τῆς παιδὸς καὶ τὴν μητέρα.
Прише́дъ же въ до́мъ, не ѡ҆ста́ви ни є҆ди́нагѡ вни́ти, то́кмѡ петра̀ и҆ і҆ѡа́нна и҆ і҆а́кѡва, и҆ ѻ҆тца̀ ѻ҆трокови́цы, и҆ ма́тере.
Therefore having entered into the house, He called a few to be judges of the coming resurrection: for the resurrection was not soon believed by the many. What then was the cause of this great difference? In a former case the widow's son is raised up before all, here a few only are set apart to judge. But I think that herein the mercy of the Lord is shown, since the widowed mother of an only son suffered no delay. There is also the token of wisdom, that in the widow's son we should see the Church quick in believing; in the ruler of the synagogue's daughter, the Jews about indeed to believe, but out of a great many only a few. Lastly, when our Lord says, She is not dead, but sleepeth, they laughed Him to scorn. For whoever believes not, laughs. Let them therefore mourn their dead who think they are dead. Where there is a belief of the resurrection, the notion is not of death but of rest.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd when he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Previously, the son of the widow was publicly raised, here several witnesses are removed. Therefore, I think that the kindness of the Lord is again shown in this, because the widow, being the mother of an only child, did not suffer delays, and therefore, to avoid further affliction, maturity is added. It is also a form of wisdom, in that the son of the widow quickly believed in the Church, in the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, indeed, the Jews will believe, but fewer of the many.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd when he had arrived, etc. Here secondly, after the solidity of the disposing faith, the Evangelist adds the suitability of the approving testimony. For the proof of the raising, however, testimony is required concerning life restored and concerning life lost; therefore witnesses are brought forward with respect to both.
First therefore, as regards the persons suitable for testifying concerning the miraculous raising, it is said: And when he had come to the house, where namely the girl was to be raised, which was a house of mourning, to which it is profitable to go, according to that passage of Ecclesiastes 7: "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting"; because "in that is the end of all" etc.
And because the mysteries of God are not to be opened to all—John 15: "The servant does not know what his lord does"—therefore it is added: He did not permit anyone to enter with him, according to that passage of Sirach 6: "Let those at peace with you be many, but let your counselor be one in a thousand."
But because the disciples were his friends, according to what he says in John 15: "But I have called you friends" etc., therefore he does not exclude all, but exempts from those excluded, when he adds: Except Peter, James, and John, who were the principal disciples; and hence these were taken up at the Transfiguration, below in chapter 9 and Matthew 17: "Jesus took Peter and James and John, his brother" etc.
And because "it is necessary to have testimony" not only from those within, but also "from those who are without," according to that passage of 1 Timothy 3, therefore he joins two persons to the disciples, when he says: And the father and mother of the girl, so that thus "in the mouth of two or three witnesses" the firm testimony of truth may stand.
Whence it appears that according to the literal sense there is a suitability of testimony both as regards the persons and as regards the number, because it has nothing superfluous, nothing lacking.
According to the spiritual understanding, this is not devoid of mystery. For Peter, who is interpreted as "the one who recognizes," designates faith; James, who is "the wrestler," designates hope; John, in whom is grace, designates charity. And these three virtues are most intimate to the Lord and concur in the raising of the sinner from death, which is designated in the raising of the girl. For faith concurs: John 11: "He who believes in me, even if he should die, shall live." Likewise hope: Psalm: "Behold, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, and upon those who hope in his mercy, that he may deliver from death." Likewise charity; 1 John 4: "In this the charity of God appeared, that he sent his only-begotten Son, that we might live through him." — Moreover, the father and mother are teachers of the Law: the father, who instructs in faith, according to that passage of 1 Corinthians 4: "In Christ Jesus through the Gospel I have begotten you"; the mother, who nurtures in morals, according to that passage of Galatians 4: "My little children, whom I bring forth again in labor, until Christ be formed in you." And concerning these, Proverbs 6: "Keep, my son, the commandments of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother." — Now these are present with Christ when he raises the sinner.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8But that this point is true, that that number which is called five, which agrees in no respect with their argument, and does not harmonize with their system, nor is suitable for a typical manifestation of the things in the Pleroma, [yet has a wide prevalence,] will be proved as follows from the Scriptures. ... Again, five men are said to have been with the Lord when He obtained testimony from the Father,-namely, Peter, and James, and John, and Moses, and Elias. The Lord also, as the fifth person, entered into the apartment of the dead maiden, and raised her up again; for, says [the Scripture], "He suffered no man to go in, save Peter and James, and the father and mother of the maiden."
Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 24)(ubi sup.) But He took not with Him His other disciples, so provoking them to a strange desire, because also they were not yet fully prepared, but He took Peter, and with him the sons of Zebedee, that the others also might imitate them. He took also the parents as witnesses, lest any should say the evidence of the resurrection was false. Luke adds to this also, that He shut out from the house those that were weeping, and showed that they were unworthy of a sight of this kind. For it follows, And they all wept, and bewailed her. But if He then shut them out, much more now. For then it had not yet been revealed that death was turned into sleep. Let no one then hereafter despise himself, bringing an insult to the victory of Christ, whereby He has overcome death, and turned it into sleep. In proof of which it is added, But he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth, &c. showing that all things were at His command, and that He would bring her to life as if He were awakening her from sleep.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWhen He was about to raise the dead He put all out, as teaching us to be free from vain-glory, and to do nothing for show, for when any one ought to perform miracles, he must not be in the midst of a great many, but alone and apart from the other. As it follows, And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John. Now these only He permitted to enter as the Heads of His disciples, and able to conceal the miracle. For He did not wish to be revealed to many before His time, perhaps on account of the envy of the Jews. So also when any one envies us, we ought not to make known to him our righteousness, lest we give him an occasion of greater envy.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
ἔκλαιον δὲ πάντες καὶ ἐκόπτοντο αὐτήν. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· μὴ κλαίετε· οὐκ ἀπέθανεν, ἀλλὰ καθεύδει.
Пла́кахꙋсѧ же всѝ и҆ рыда́хꙋ є҆ѧ̀. Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ: не пла́читесѧ: не ᲂу҆́мре (бо), но спи́тъ.
What shall I say about the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, at whose death the people were mourning and the flute players were playing their music? In the belief that she was indeed dead, solemn funeral services were being performed. The spirit returned immediately at the voice of the Lord, she arose with revived body, and she partook of food to furnish proof that she was alive.
On the Death of Satyrus 2.82They all wept and mourned for her. "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" he asked. "But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast." Therefore, the synagogue, because it lost the joy of the bridegroom, by which it might live, lies as if dead among mourners, not even understanding this itself, why it is mourned.
On the Gospel of LukeBut he said: Do not weep. She is not dead, but sleeps. Dead to men, who could not raise her, she was sleeping to God, in whose power her soul was received and lived, and her body, to be resurrected, rested. Hence, the Christian custom has prevailed that the dead, who are undoubtedly to be resurrected, are called sleepers, just as the Apostle: "We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who sleep, so that you do not grieve like the rest who have no hope" (1 Thess. IV). But even in the part of the allegory, when the soul which has sinned itself dies, yet it can be said to have slept to us, for it merited to be raised by Christ.
On the Gospel of LukeThe Synagogue also, because it has lost the joy of the Bridegroom, whereby alone it can live. lying dead as it were among those that mourn, understands not even the reason why it weeps.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSecond, as regards the suitable persons testifying concerning natural death, it is added: And they all wept and mourned for her, as though she were dead, according to the counsel of Ecclesiasticus thirty-eight: "My son, shed tears over the dead, and as one suffering grievously begin to weep." They wept with tears and mourned with voices of lamentation, as was the custom of the Jews; Jeremiah nine: "Call the mourning women, and let them take up a lamentation over you." Or they wept on account of the loss of life and mourned on account of despair.
And therefore, because they were exceeding measure, they are comforted by the Savior, when it is said: But he said: Do not weep, according to that passage of First Thessalonians four: "Do not be sorrowful, even as others who have no hope."
And therefore it is added: The girl is not dead, but sleeps: in which he does not remove the truth of death, but gives the assurance of rising again, because he could raise her from the dead just as easily as a sleeping person is awakened from sleep by one who is awake. And for this reason he spoke thus in John eleven: "Lazarus, our friend, sleeps"; and afterward: "Lazarus is dead." Whence Bede: "She is dead to men, who cannot raise her, not to God, for whom her soul lives and her flesh rests, awaiting resurrection." On account of which the Church rightly sings: "Come, let us adore the King, for whom all things live," in the Office of the Dead: below in chapter twenty: "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him." Since therefore nothing dies to the Lord, and God was present there: therefore he rightly said: The girl is not dead.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8Coming to the house of his supplicant, he quiets their funeral songs, silences the musicians, and stops the tears of the weepers, saying, "The girl is not dead but rather sleeps." "And they," it says, "laughed at him." I ask you to observe here the great skill of the management. Although he well knew that the girl was dead, he said, "She is not dead but rather sleeps." What is his reason? By their laughing at him, they might give a clear and manifest acknowledgment that the daughter was dead. There would probably be some of that group who always resist his glory who would reject the divine miracle and say that the damsel was not yet dead. Delivering from sickness was nothing very extraordinary for Christ. To have the acknowledgment of many that the girl was dead, he said that she was rather sleeping. Let no one affirm that Christ spoke falsely. To him, as being life by nature, there is nothing dead. Having a firm hope of the resurrection of the dead, we call the dead "those that sleep" for this reason. They will arise in Christ, and as the blessed Paul says, "They live to him," because they are about to live.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 46And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
καὶ κατεγέλων αὐτοῦ, εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπέθανεν.
И҆ рꙋга́хꙋсѧ є҆мꙋ̀, вѣ́дѧще, ꙗ҆́кѡ ᲂу҆́мре.
And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. Because they preferred to mock the word of the one raising than to believe, they were deservedly excluded outside, unworthy to see the miracle of the resurrection.
On the Gospel of LukeBut because "the natural man does not perceive the things that are of God," First Corinthians two: therefore it is added: And they derided him, knowing that she was dead. For he who is certain about something not only does not believe, but even derides the one persuading the contrary. And since divine wisdom frequently persuades the contrary of human knowledge, hence it is that man through human knowledge mocks God, and thus is made foolish: Jeremiah ten: "Every man is made foolish by his own knowledge." For that knowledge is foolish which derides wisdom: First Corinthians one: "God has made foolish the wisdom of this world." And because, as it is said in Proverbs eighteen, "the fool does not receive words of prudence, unless you say those things which revolve in his heart"; therefore these people did not receive but derided: Proverbs fifteen: "The fool mocks the discipline of his father"; and therefore they were not suitable witnesses for the restoration of life, but only for the loss of life. Therefore they were cast out, according to what is said in Matthew nine: "When the crowd had been cast out, he entered and took the girl by the hand," etc.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8(ubi sup.) They yet nevertheless laughed Him to scorn. For it follows, And they laughed him to scorn. He did not reprove them nor put an end to their laughter, that laughter also might be a sign of death. For since generally, after a miracle has been performed men continue unfaithful, He takes them by their own words.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
αὐτὸς δὲ ἐκβαλὼν ἔξω πάντας καὶ κρατήσας τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῆς ἐφώνησε λέγων· ἡ παῖς, ἐγείρου.
Ѻ҆́нъ же и҆згна́въ во́нъ всѣ́хъ, и҆ є҆́мь за рꙋ́кꙋ є҆ѧ̀, возгласѝ гл҃ѧ: ѻ҆трокови́це, воста́ни.
Jesus took the girl's hand, healed her, and ordered that she should be given something to eat. This is evidence of life, so that not an apparition but the truth may be believed. Blessed is he whose hand Wisdom holds. I wish that righteousness held my acts and my hands. I want the Word of God to hold me, bring me into his closet, turn away the spirit of error, replace it with that of salvation, and order that I be given something to eat! The Word of God is the Bread of heaven. The Wisdom that filled the holy altar with the nourishment of the divine body and blood says, "Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine that I have mixed for you." What is the reason for such diversity? Above, Christ raised the son of the widow in public. Here, he dismissed several eyewitnesses. I think that the Lord's compassion is also revealed since the widowed mother of an only son did not suffer delay. He is prompt; for fear that she would be further afflicted. It is also wise that the church would immediately believe through the widow's son, but the Jews, albeit a few, would believe through the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue.
Commentary on LukeNow the Lord taking hold of the hand of the maid, cured her. Blessed is he whom wisdom takes by the hand, that she may bring him into her secret places, and command to be given him to eat. For the bread of heaven is the word of God. Hence comes also that wisdom which has filled its altars with the food of the body and blood of God. Come, she says, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mixed for you. (Prov. 9:5.)
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut he, taking her hand, called out saying: "Girl, arise." In Mark, it is written: He said to her: "Tabitha cumi", which is interpreted, "Girl, I say to you, arise"; and immediately she arose (Acts IX). Where a diligent reader may inquire why the truthful Evangelist, explaining the saying of the Savior, added from his own, "I say to you", when in the Syrian language which he used, it was said no more than "Girl, arise." Therefore, holding the girl's hand, Jesus healed her, because unless the hands of the Jews, which are full of blood, are first cleansed, their dead synagogue will not rise.
On the Gospel of LukeNow the maid arose straightway, because when Christ strengthens the hand, man revives from the death of the soul. For there are some, who only by the secret thought of sin are conscious of bringing death to themselves. The Lord signifying that such He brings to life again, raised the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue. But others, by committing the very evil in which they delight, carry their dead as it were without the gates, and to show that He raises these, He raised the widow's son without the gates. But some also, by habits of sin, bury themselves, as it were, and become corrupt; and to raise these also the grace of the Saviour is not wanting; to intimate which He raised from the dead Lazarus, who had been four days in the grave. But the deeper the death of the soul, so much the more intense should be the fervour of penitence. Hence He raises with a gentle voice the maid who lay dead in the room, the youth who was carried out He strengthens with many words, but to raise him who had been dead four days, He groaned in His spirit, He poured forth tears, and cried with a loud voice. But here also we must observe, that a public calamity needs a public remedy. Slight offences seek to be blotted out by secret penitence. The maid lying in the house rises again with few witnesses; the youth without the house is raised in the presence of a great crowd who accompanied him. Lazarus summoned from the tomb was known to many nations.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut he, taking her by the hand, etc. Here now, third, after the solidity of faith and the suitability of testimony, there is joined the sublimity of the command of the one raising her, with respect to the commanding power and with respect to the efficacy that follows.
First, therefore, as regards the commanding power, it is said: He himself taking her by the hand, from the assistance of power, according to that verse of the Psalm: "The right hand of the Lord has wrought power," etc. And again, the girl could say: "You have held my right hand."
And since "the hand of the Lord is not shortened, so that it cannot save," as is said in Isaiah 59, therefore it is added: He cried out, saying: Girl, arise, from the command of majesty, as is said in John 11: "He cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth." Now this cry in the outward voice designates the immensity of the inward power, according to what is said in the Psalm: "He shall give to his voice the voice of power," namely of miracle, according to that verse of First Thessalonians 4: "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with command and with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead who are in Christ shall rise first."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8When he came to the house in which the girl was lying dead, he took with him only three of the holy apostles and the father and the mother of the girl. The manner in which he performed the miracle was worthy of God. "Having taken her," it says, "by the hand, he said, 'Girl, arise'; and she arose immediately." O the power of a word and the might of commands that nothing can resist! O the life producing touch of the hand that abolishes death and corruption! These are the fruits of faith, for the sake of which the hand of Moses also gave the law to those of old time.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 46(ubi sup.) But that He might by sight dispose to the belief of the resurrection, He takes the hand of the maid. As it follows, But he took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And when He had taken her by the hand, He awoke her. As it follows, And her spirit returned, and she arose straightway. For He poured not into her another soul, but restored the same which she had breathed forth. Nor does he only awake the maid, but orders her to take food. For it follows, And he commanded to give her meat. That it might not seem like a vision what was done. Nor did He Himself give to her, but He commanded others to do it. As also He said in the case of Lazarus, Loose him. (John 11:44.) And afterwards He made him partake of meat with Him.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
καὶ ἐπέστρεψε τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀνέστη παραχρῆμα, καὶ διέταξεν αὐτῇ δοθῆναι φαγεῖν.
И҆ возврати́сѧ дꙋ́хъ є҆ѧ̀, и҆ воскре́се а҆́бїе: и҆ повелѣ̀ да́ти є҆́й ꙗ҆́сти.
And her spirit returned, and she immediately got up. Mark says it this way: And immediately the girl got up and walked. And spiritually it teaches that whoever recovers from the death of the soul with Christ strengthening him by the hand, ought not only to rise from the filth of vices, but also immediately progress in good deeds.
On the Gospel of LukeAnd He commanded that she be given something to eat. He ordered her to eat, given as a testimony of life resurrected, so that it would be believed as truth and not a phantom. But if someone has risen from spiritual death, it is necessary that they soon be satiated with heavenly bread, and of course become a partaker of the divine word and the sacred altar. For according to moral understanding, those three dead ones whom the Savior raised in the bodies signify three kinds of the resurrection of souls. Indeed, some by giving in to the consent of evil delight, with the sin's thought hidden, bring death upon themselves. But indicating that he brings such to life, the Savior raised the daughter of the synagogue leader, who was not yet carried outside but was dead inside the house, as if concealing vice secretly in the heart. Others, not only by consenting to noxious delight but also by performing the very evil they delight in, bring their dead almost outside the gates. And demonstrating that He brings these to repentance, He raised the young son of a widow carried out outside the gates and restored him to his mother. For He restored the soul repenting from the darkness of sin to the unity of the Church, as we have also taught before. However, some, not only by thinking or acting illicitly, but by the habit of sinning itself, almost corrupt themselves by burying. Yet, neither is the power and grace of the Savior less in raising them if there are solicitous thoughts watching over their health, as devoted sisters to Christ. For indicating this, He raised Lazarus, already four days in the tomb, and attested by his sister as already stinking. For the worst deeds often accompany a harmful reputation. It should be noted, however, that the more severe the death of the soul that comes upon it, the more persistent the fervor of repentance must be that it deserves to rise. Secretly wishing to show this, the Lord resurrects the dead girl lying in the room with a modest and gentle voice, saying: "Child, arise." And because of the ease of resurrection, He denied that she had already died. The young man carried outside, He strengthens with more words so that he must revive, saying: "Young man, I say to you, arise." But the one dead for four days, to be able to release the long-sealing tomb, Jesus groaned in spirit, troubled Himself, shed tears, groaned again, and cried with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come forth" (John 11). And thus at last, he who was in despair, with the weight of darkness dispelled, is returned to life and light. But it should also be noted that since public guilt requires a public remedy, but minor sins can be erased by lighter and private repentance, the girl lying in the house rises with few witnesses, who are also instructed not to divulge the miracle.
On the Gospel of LukeSecondly, as regards the subsequent efficacy, it is added: And her spirit returned, through intimate union, according to what is said in Third Kings 17: "The soul of the child returned into him, and he revived"; and she arose immediately, through vital operation. For to arise is the operation of the living, just as to fall is of the dying.
And note that this girl in her raising is said to have arisen, and the young man to have sat up, above in chapter seven, but Lazarus to have come forth bound hand and foot, in John 11: because, as was touched upon above, by the girl dead in the house is understood the sin of thought; by the young man at the gate, the sin of action; by Lazarus in the tomb, the sin of habit. And since, in proportion as sins are graver, they leave greater consequences, therefore he who sinned only by thought, once brought to life, immediately arises, because little difficulty remains; but he who sinned in deed sits up, because a proneness still remains; but he who sinned by habit is bound, because he has a great proneness binding him in evil and impeding him from good, even after he has been restored to life. And according to this, a heavier penance ought to be imposed on each respectively.
And he commanded that she be given something to eat. Here, fourthly and lastly, the clarity of the miracle is touched upon, as something to be made manifest for the benefit of faith and to be concealed against the vanity of glory. Whence first is set forth the useful manifestation; and secondly, the humble concealment, because, as Gregory says, "the work ought to be in the open, yet the intention should remain hidden."
First, therefore, as regards the useful manifestation of the miracle, it is said: And he commanded that something be given her to eat, so that the raising might be proven not phantastic but true, just as he himself proved his own resurrection, below in the last chapter: "Have you here anything to eat?" and the raising of Lazarus, John 12, where it is said that "Lazarus was one of those reclining at table." Moreover, he gives a sign to the senses of a true raising, so that he might elevate minds to an excess of admiration.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
καὶ ἐξέστησαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῖς. ὁ δὲ παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς μηδενὶ εἰπεῖν τὸ γεγονός.
И҆ диви́стасѧ роди́тєлѧ є҆ѧ̀. Ѻ҆́нъ же повелѣ̀ и҆́ма никомꙋ́же повѣ́дати бы́вшагѡ.
(Severus.) He next charges the parents, astonished at the miracle, and almost crying out, not to publish abroad what was done. As it follows, And her parents were astonished; but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done; showing that He is the Giver of good things, but not covetous of glory, and that He gives the whole, receiving nothing. But he who seeks after the glory of his works has indeed shown forth something, but receives something.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd his parents, he says, were amazed, and he commanded them not to tell anyone what had happened. The young man was raised outside the gate, with a large crowd accompanying and watching. Lazarus, called forth from the tomb, became so widely known to the people that due to the witness of those who saw it, many crowds met the Lord with palms, and many from among the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. The Lord recognized a fourth dead man, as informed by the disciple; but since there were no living ones to beseech the Lord for his rescue: "Let the dead bury their own dead," he said (Matt. 13); that is, let the wicked weigh down the wicked with harmful praises, and since there is no righteous person present to correct in mercy, let the sin of the sinner anoint their head.
On the Gospel of LukeWhence it is also added: And her parents were astonished, as though unable to bear the magnitude of divine power: Isaiah 29, "Behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, a great and stupendous miracle." Moreover, this astonishment elevated the faith of believers to an excess, according to that passage in Acts 10: "The faithful of the circumcision were astonished," etc.
Second, as regards the humble concealment, it is added: He commanded them to tell no one what had been done, wishing to humbly remain hidden and to give an example of humility, just as he commanded the disciples, Matthew 17: "He commanded them: Tell the vision to no one," etc.; in which he shows that we ought to wish to remain hidden in great deeds. Whence Augustine: "Hide what you do, as much as you can; but if you cannot entirely, let there be in your soul the will to conceal." — And note that there is a precept of execution, as the Decalogue; of testing, as concerning the sacrificing of the son of Abraham, Genesis 22; and of instruction, as here. In the first, the intellect is invited to knowing, the affection to willing, the effect to executing. In the second, the affection is invited, but not the effect. In the third, only the intellect is instructed; the affection is not bound, nor is the effect prohibited. And thus is that precept understood.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 8St Alexander
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
μὴ φοβοῦ τὸ μικρὸν ποίμνιον· ὅτι εὐδόκησεν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν βασιλείαν.
[Заⷱ҇ 67] Не бо́йсѧ, ма́лое ста́до: ꙗ҆́кѡ бл҃гоизво́ли ѻ҆ц҃ъ ва́шъ да́ти ва́мъ црⷭ҇тво.
Do not fear, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. He calls the small flock the chosen ones, either in comparison to the larger number of the reprobate, or rather for the devotion of humility. Although He has already extended His Church to some size, He still wants it to grow until the end of the world and to reach the promised kingdom through humility. Therefore, He consoles its labors gently, commanding it to seek only the kingdom of God, and with a delighted kindness, promises that the kingdom will be given to them by the Father.
On the Gospel of LukeAs if He says, Fear not lest they who warfare for the kingdom of God, should be in want of the necessaries of this life.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSecond, he dissuades the solicitude of avarice by promising the superexcellence of the reward, when he adds: Fear not, little flock: little flock is said in respect to the multitude of the reprobate: Matthew 20: "Many are called, but few are chosen." Or little by reason of its own smallness: First Corinthians 1: "See your vocation, brethren, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many are powerful," etc. Or little by reason of voluntary humility: Ezekiel 34: "But you are my flocks, you are men, and I am your God." For God is the God of the humble; Sirach 3: "The power of God alone is great, and he is honored by the humble." And to such God promises the kingdom, Matthew 19: "Let the little ones come to me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Therefore he adds: Because it has pleased your Father to give you a kingdom: Proverbs 29: "The humble in spirit shall be upheld by glory"; and Job 22: "He who has been humbled shall be in glory." Now this superexcellence of the promised kingdom induces hope, and by inducing hope it induces security, and through this it removes the faintheartedness of fear and the ardor of cupidity: Second Corinthians 6: "As needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing all things." For that kingdom alone is the true possession of the heart, which fills the heart and cannot be taken away, because it is within: below, chapter 17: "Behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
And note that it pleased the Father to give to the little ones, that is, to the poor in spirit, the kingdom of glory: whence Matthew 5: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"; because such desire eternal things: Proverbs 10: "The desire of the just shall be granted to them"; and the Psalm: "The Lord has heard the desire of the poor"; because they despise temporal things; Matthew 19: "He who has left father or mother shall receive a hundredfold," etc.; and they embrace spiritual things: Galatians 5: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit; let us not be made desirous of vainglory." Likewise it pleased him to give them pardon; Judith 9: "The prayer of the humble and the meek has always pleased you," namely, unto the giving of pardon: Exodus 33: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy." It pleased him to give grace: Isaiah 42: "Behold my servant, I will uphold him, my chosen one," etc. It pleased him to give wisdom: Matthew 11: "You have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent and have revealed them to little ones." It pleased him to give eternal glory, as here: Fear not, little flock, etc. The Psalm: "The Lord is well pleased with those who fear him, and with those who hope in his mercy."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12Such He names children, and sons, and little children, and friends, and little ones here, in reference to their future greatness above. "Despise not," He says, "one of these little ones; for their angels always behold the face of My Father in heaven." And in another place, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom of heaven." Similarly also He says that "the least in the kingdom of heaven" that is His own disciple "is greater than John, the greatest among those born of women." And again, "He that receiveth a righteous man or a prophet in the name of a righteous man or a prophet, shall receive their reward; and he that giveth to a disciple in the name of a disciple a cup of cold water to drink, shall not lose his reward." Wherefore this is the only reward that is not lost.
Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?He announced as a general law, useful and necessary for salvation, not only to the holy apostles but to all living on the earth, that people must seek his kingdom. He announced this, being sure that what he gives will be sufficient for them to be in need of nothing else. What, then, does he say? Fear not, little flock. And by "do not fear," he means that they must believe that certainly and without doubt their heavenly Father will give the means of life to those who love him. He will not neglect his own. Rather he will open his hand to them—the hand which ever fills the universe with goodness.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 91Give away these earthly things, and win that which is in heaven. Give that which you must leave, even against your will, that you may not lose things later. Lend your wealth to God, that you may be really rich.Concerning the way in which to lend it, Jesus next teaches us saying, "Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail." The blessed David teaches us exactly the same in the psalms, where by inspiration he says of every merciful and good man, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Worldly wealth has many foes. There are numerous thieves, and this world of ours is full of oppressors. Some plunder by secret means, while others use violence and tear it away even from those who resist. But no one can do damage to the wealth that is laid up above in heaven. God is its keeper, and he does not sleep.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 91But why they ought not to fear, He shows, adding, for it is your Father's good pleasure; as if He says, How shall He who gives such precious things be wearied in showing mercy towards you? For although His flock is little both in nature and number and renown, yet the goodness of the Father has granted even to this little flock the lot of heavenly spirits, that is, the kingdom of heaven. Therefore that you may possess the kingdom of heaven, despise this world's wealth. Hence it is added, Sell that ye have, &c.
Now perhaps this command is irksome to the rich, yet to those who are of a sound mind, it is not unprofitable, for their treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Hence it follows, Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, &c.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(non occ.) Our Lord having removed the care of temporal things from the hearts of His disciples, now banishes fear from them, from which superfluous cares proceed, saying, Fear not, &c.
Catena Aurea by AquinasFor it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom, and that you should tread upon the necks of your enemies.
The flock is little in the eyes of the world, but great in the eyes of God. It is little—because he calls glorious those whom he has trained to the innocence of sheep and to Christian meekness. The flock is little, not as the remnant of a big one, but as one which has grown from small beginnings. This little flock denotes the infancy of his newborn church, and immediately he promises that through the blessings of heaven this church will soon have the dignity of his kingdom.
SERMON 22The Lord calls those who desire to be His disciples a "little flock," either because in this world there are very few saints on account of the required voluntary poverty and non-possessiveness, or because they are fewer than the Angels, whose hosts are without number and incomparably exceed our number. And that the Angels are far more numerous is evident from the parable in which the Lord said that the shepherd rejoices over one lost and found again more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray (Luke 15:7). For from this it is evident that as one relates to ninety-nine, so does the human race relate to the angelic world. "Fear not, little flock," He says, that is, do not doubt that God will provide for you, even if you yourself do not care for yourself. Why? Because "the Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom." If He gives the Kingdom, then all the more will He grant earthly things.
Commentary on LukeBy the little flock, our Lord signifies those who are willing to become His disciples, or because in this world the Saints seem little because of their voluntary poverty, or because they are outnumbered by the multitude of Angels, who incomparably exceed all that we can boast of. The name little our Lord gives to the company of the elect, either from comparison with the greater number of the reprobate, or rather because of their devout humility.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Πωλήσατε τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ὑμῶν καὶ δότε ἐλεημοσύνην. ποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς βαλλάντια μὴ παλαιούμενα, θησαυρὸν ἀνέκλειπτον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ὅπου κλέπτης οὐκ ἐγγίζει οὐδὲ σὴς διαφθείρει·
Продади́те и҆мѣ̑нїѧ ва̑ша и҆ дади́те ми́лостыню. Сотвори́те себѣ̀ влага̑лища неветша̑юща, сокро́вище неѡскꙋдѣ́емо на нб҃сѣ́хъ, и҆дѣ́же та́ть не приближа́етсѧ, ни мо́ль растлѣва́етъ.
(reg. brev. ad int. 92.) But some one will ask, upon what grounds ought we to sell that which we have? Is it that these things are by nature hurtful, or because of the temptation to our souls? To this we must answer, first, that every thing existing in the world if it were in itself evil, would be no creation of God, for every creation of God is good. (1 Tim. 4:4.) And next, that our Lord's command teaches us not to cast away as evil what we possess, but to distribute, saying, and give alms.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSell what you possess, and give alms. He says, do not fear that those who fight for the kingdom of God may lack the necessities of this life; indeed, sell what you possess for almsgiving. This is done worthily when, after having forsaken all things for the Lord, one nonetheless works with one's hands to earn a living and to give alms. Hence the Apostle boasts, saying: "I coveted no one's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak" (Acts 20).
On the Gospel of LukeMake for yourselves purses that do not grow old. Namely, by performing almsgiving, the reward of which remains forever. It should not be understood from this command that the saints reserve nothing of their money, whether for themselves or for the use of the poor: since the Lord Himself, though ministered to by angels, is read to have kept purses to instruct His Church. He conserved what was offered by the faithful and provided for the needs of His own and others who were in need: but it should not be that service to God is done for these things or that justice is abandoned out of fear of poverty.
On the Gospel of LukeA treasure unfailing in the heavens, where a thief does not approach, nor moth corrupts. Either simply taken that money kept fails, or namely, snatched by a thief from treasures, or in treasures itself spoiled by its own fragility, but given for Christ it bestows an everlasting fruit of mercy in the heavens; or certainly it should be understood that the treasure of good work, if it is stored for the sake of earthly gain, easily corrupted perishes, but if gathered solely with a heavenly intention, it is neither corrupted by external human favor nor ruined by the stain of empty glory within. For a thief steals from outside, a moth destroys from within. The thief has taken away the riches of those about whom the Lord says, They have received their reward (Matt. VI). The moth corrupts their clothes, of whom the Psalmist reproving says: For God scatters the bones of men who please themselves (Psalm LII). For bones he calls the strength of virtues.
On the Gospel of LukeBut sell that ye have for alms' sake, which then is done worthily, when a man having once for his Lord's sake forsaken all that he hath, nevertheless afterwards labours with his hands that he may be able both to gain his living, and give alms.
That is, by doing alms, the reward of which abideth for ever; which must not be taken as a command that no money be kept by the saints either for their own, or the use of the poor, since we read that our Lord Himself, to whom the angels ministered, (Matt. 4:11) had a bag in which he kept the offerings of the faithful; (John 12:6.) but that God should not be obeyed for the sake of such things, and righteousness be not forsaken from fear of poverty.
Whether then should it be simply understood, that money kept faileth, but given away to our neighbour bears everlasting fruit in heaven; or, that the treasure of good works, if it be stored up for the sake of earthly advantage, is soon corrupted and perishes; but if it be laid up solely from heavenly motives, neither outwardly by the favour of men, as by the thief which steals from without, nor inwardly by vainglory, as by the moth which devours within, can it be defiled.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThird, he dissuades the anxiety of avarice by promising a superabundance of treasure in exchange for the renunciation of the world, when he says: Sell what you possess and give alms, that is, distribute your goods to the poor, according to that passage in Matthew 19: "Go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor."
And because it is hard to sell and give without recompense, he therefore adds: Make for yourselves purses that do not grow old: Sirach 17: "The alms of a man is like a purse with him, and it will preserve the grace of a man as the apple of his eye; and afterward he will rise up and render them their recompense, to each one upon their head."
And because this recompense, which is in these purses, is most abundant, he therefore adds: A treasure unfailing in heaven: the word make is understood, and this is accomplished through almsgiving. Whence Tobit 12: "Prayer with fasting and almsgiving is good, more than to store up treasures of gold; for almsgiving delivers from death and causes one to find eternal life." And he shows that this heavenly treasure is unfailing: because it cannot be lost through thieves, nor can it be corrupted in itself; therefore he adds: Where no thief draws near, nor does moth corrupt. Chrysostom: "A threefold destruction takes away all the goods of the world: for either they grow old of themselves, or they are consumed by the extravagance of their owners, or they are seized by outsiders through deceit, force, or false accusation." And therefore an unfailing treasure cannot be possessed on earth. He who wishes therefore to have an unfailing one, let him scatter on earth, so that he may abound in heaven; the Psalm: "He has distributed, he has given to the poor; his justice endures forever and ever." Whence Augustine: "The Lord did not command that we should lose our treasure, but he showed us the place where we should store it."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12To the objection from the Gloss on Luke 12, that those who have despised all things for God ought to work with the labor of their hands: it must be said that this is a counsel with respect to the first part, which says: Sell what you possess; but with respect to the second part, it pertains only to the well-being of the counsel, which does not bind even perfect men, especially those who can be occupied with greater goods. And that this is true appears from the same Gloss, when it adds: "Whence you may live, or give alms." For it is certain that those who have given all things at once for God are in no way bound to give further alms; and therefore that Gloss does not express what pertains to the essence and substance of the counsel, but rather according to the well-being, according to the state and condition of certain persons who are more suited to working manually than to doing something more arduous. For if it were said otherwise, that this pertained to the essence of the perfection of the counsel, then none would have fulfilled that counsel except those who worked manually; and consequently we would not judge the other Apostles besides Paul and Barnabas, and very many other most perfect Saints whom we do not read to have worked manually, to have been perfect. It is indeed true that manual labor accords with evangelical perfection, provided however that it does not impede greater goods.
Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2To that which is objected from the Gloss on Luke twelve, Sell what you possess and give alms, it must be said that the whole of that is a counsel, just as that text upon which the Gloss is founded. Nor does anyone bind himself to the whole of it nor to a part, except insofar as he promises from his profession. Hence just as to give alms is not a precept for him who has given all things, nor is it simply commanded that all things be given; so neither does that intermediate thing, namely to work, hold there the character of a necessary obligation, but only of monitory persuasion, or even of counsel.
Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 2"Lay not up for yourselves, therefore, treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break through and steal," says the Lord, in reproach perchance of the covetous, and perchance also of those who are simply anxious and full of cares, and those too who indulge their bodies. For amours, and diseases, and evil thoughts "break through" the mind and the whole man. But our true "treasure" is where what is allied to our mind is, since it bestows the communicative power of righteousness, showing that we must assign to the habit of our old conversation what we have acquired by it, and have recourse to God, beseeching mercy. He is, in truth, "the bag that waxeth not old," the provisions of eternal life, "the treasure that faileth not in heaven."
The Stromata Book 4Therefore in the Gospel, the Lord, the Teacher of our life and Master of eternal salvation, quickening the assembly of believers, and providing for them for ever when quickened, among His divine commands and precepts of heaven, commands and prescribes nothing more frequently than that we should devote ourselves to almsgiving, and not depend on earthly possessions, but rather lay up heavenly treasures. "Sell," says He, "your goods, and give alms." And again: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also." And when He wished to set forth a man perfect and complete by the observation of the law, He said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me." Moreover, in another place He says that a merchant of the heavenly grace, and a gainer of eternal salvation, ought to purchase the precious pearl-that is, eternal life-at the price of the blood of Christ, from the amount of his patrimony, parting with all his wealth for it. He says: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls. And when he found a precious pearl, he went away and sold all that he had, and bought it."
Treatise VIII On Works and AlmsOf the benefit of good works and mercy. In Isaiah: "Cry aloud," saith He, "and spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet; tell my people their sins, and the house of Jacob their wickednesses. They seek me from day to day, and desire to know my ways, as a people which did righteousness, and did not forsake the judgment of God. They ask of me now a righteous judgment, and desire to approach to God, saying, What! because we have fasted, and Thou hast not seen: we have humiliated our souls, and Thou hast not known. For in the days of fasting are found your own wills; for either ye torment those who are subjected to you, or ye fast for strifes and judgments, or ye strike your neighbours with fists. For what do you fast unto me, that to-day your voice should be heard in clamour? This fast I have not chosen, save that a man should humble his soul. And if thou shalt bend thy neck like a ring, and spread under thee sackcloth and ashes, neither thus shall it be called an acceptable fast. Not such a fast have I chosen, saith the Lord; but loose every knot of unrighteousness, let go the chokings of impotent engagements. Send away the harassed into rest, and scatter every unrighteous contract. Break thy bread to the hungry, and bring the houseless poor into thy dwelling. If thou seest the naked, clothe him; and despise not them of thy own seed in thy house. Then shall thy seasonable light break forth, and thy garments shall quickly arise; and righteousness shall go before thee: and the glory of God shall surround thee. Then thou shalt cry out, and God shall hear thee; while thou art yet speaking, He shall say, Here I am." Concerning this same thing in Job: "I have preserved the needy from the hand of the mighty; and I have helped the orphan, to whom there was no helper. The mouth of the widow blessed me, since I was the eye of the blind; I was also the foot of the lame, and the father of the weak." Of this same matter in Tobit: "And I said to Tobias, My son, go and bring whatever poor man thou shalt find out of our brethren, who still has God in mind with his whole heart. Bring him hither, and he shall eat my dinner together with me. Behold, I attend thee, my son, until thou come." Also in the same place: "All the days of thy life, my son, keep God in mind, and transgress not His precepts. Do justice all the days of thy life, and do not walk in the way of unrighteousness; because if thou act truly, there will be respect of thy works. Give alms of thy substance, and turn not thy face from any poor man. So shall it come to pass that the face of God shall not be turned away from thee. Even as thou hast, my son, so do: if thou hast abundant substance, give the more alms therefrom; if thou hast little, communicate even of that little. And do not fear when thou givest alms: thou layest up for thyself a good reward against the day of need; because alms delivereth from death, and does not suffer to go into darkness. Alms is a good office for all who do it in the sight of the most high God." On this same subject in Solomon in Proverbs: "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord." Also in the same place: "He that giveth to the poor shall never want; but he who turns away his eye shall be in much penury." Also in the same place: "Sins are purged away by alms-giving and faith." Again, in the same place: "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; and if he thirst, give him to drink: for by doing this thou shalt scatter live coals upon his head." Again, in the same place: "As water extinguishes fire, so alms-giving extinguishes sin." In the same in Proverbs: "Say not, Go away, and return, to-morrow I will give; when you can do good immediately. For thou knowest not what may happen on the coming day." Also in the same place: "He who stoppeth his ears that he may not hear the weak, shall himself call upon God, and there shall be none to hear him." Also in the same place: "He who has his conversation without reproach in righteousness, leaves blessed children." In the same in Ecclesiasticus: "My son, if thou hast, do good by thyself, and present worthy offerings to God; remember that death delayeth not." Also in the same place: "Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and this will entreat for thee from all evil." Concerning this thing in the thirty-sixth Psalm, that mercy is beneficial also to one's posterity: "I have been young, and I have also grown old; and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread. The whole day he is merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is in blessing." Of this same thing in the fortieth Psalm: "Blessed is he who considereth over the poor and needy: in the evil day God will deliver him." Also in the cxith Psalm: "He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness shall remain from generation to generation." Of this same thing in Hosea: "I desire mercy rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than whole burnt-offerings." Of this same thing also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be satisfied." Also in the same place: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Also in the same place: "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not dig through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Also in the same place: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls: and when he hath found a precious pearl, he went away and sold all that he had, and bought it." That even a small work is of advantage, also in the same place: "And whoever shall give to drink to one of the least of these a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, His reward shall not perish." That alms are to be denied to none, also in the same place: "Give to every one that asketh thee; and from him who would wish to borrow, be not turned away." Also in the same place: "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith, Which? Jesus saith unto him, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? Jesus saith unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Also in the same place: "When the Son of man shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His glory: and all nations shall be gathered together before Him; and He shall separate them one from another, even as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats: and He shall place the sheep on the right hand, but the goats on the left hand. Then shall the King say unto them that are on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, and say, Lord, when saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in: naked, and clothed Thee? And when saw we Thee sick, and in prison, and came to Thee? And the King, answering, shall say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me. Then shall He say unto them who are on His left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which my Father hath prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry, and ye gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me not to drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: I was naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer, and say, Lord, when saw we Thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? And He shall answer them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me. And these shall go away into everlasting burning: but the righteous into life eternal." Concerning this same matter in the Gospel according to Luke: "Sell your possessions, and give alms." Also in the same place: "He who made that which is within, made that which is without also. But give alms, and, behold, all things are pure unto you." Also in the same place: "Behold, the half of my substance I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, that salvation has this day been wrought for this house, since he also is a son of Abraham." Of this same thing also in the second Epistle to the Corinthians: "Let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may be the supplement of your want, that there may be equality: as it is written, He who had much had not excess; and he who had little had no lack." Also in the same place: "He who soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth in blessing shall reap also of blessing. But let every one do as he has proposed in his heart: not as if sorrowfully, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Also in the same place: "As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." Likewise in the same place: "Now he who ministereth seed to the sower, shall both supply bread to be eaten, and shall multiply your seed, and shall increase the growth of the fruits of your righteousness: that in all things ye may be made rich." Also in the same place: "The administration of this service has not only supplied that which is lacking to the saints, but has abounded by much giving of thanks unto God." Of this same matter in the Epistle of John: "Whoso hath this world's substance, and seeth his brother desiring, and shutteth up his bowels from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? " Of this same thing in the Gospel according to Luke: "When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor brethren, nor neighbours, nor the rich; lest haply they also invite thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a banquet, call the poor, the weak, the blind, and lame: and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not the means of rewarding thee: but thou I shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the I just."
Treatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews.Or, the thieves are heretics and evil spirits, who are bent upon depriving us of spiritual things. The moth which secretly frets the garments is envy, which mars good desires, and bursts the bonds of charity.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Orat. 14.) Now I fear lest you should think deeds of mercy to be not necessary to you, but voluntary. I also thought so, but was alarmed at the goats placed on the left hand, not because they robbed, but did not minister unto Christ among the poor.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut He bids us lay up our visible and earthly treasures where the power of corruption does not reach, and hence He adds, a treasure that faileth not, &c.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Hom. 25. in Act.) For there is no sin which almsgiving does not avail to blot out. It is a salve adapted to ever wound. But almsgiving has to do not only with money, but with all matters also wherein man succours man, as when the physician heals, and the wise man gives counsel.
(ubi sup.) For without alms it is impossible to see the kingdom. For as a fountain if it keeps its waters within itself grows foul, so also rich men when they retain every thing in their possession.
Catena Aurea by AquinasSo then, do not think that if you do not embrace poverty, there will be no Provider for you, but sell your possessions, give alms, and make your treasure inexhaustible. Then He persuades us with irrefutable reasoning as well. Here, He says, the moth consumes, but in heaven it does not. Therefore, is it not madness to store up treasure in a place where it is damaged? Then, since the moth does not consume gold, He added: "where no thief approaches." For if the moth does not consume gold, the thief steals it.
Commentary on LukeAs if He said, "Here the moth corrupts, but there is no corruption in heaven." Then because there are some things which the moth does not corrupt, He goes on to speak of the thief. For gold the moth corrupts not, but the thief takes away.
Catena Aurea by AquinasFor where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν ἔσται.
И҆дѣ́же бо сокро́вище ва́ше, тꙋ̀ и҆ се́рдце ва́ше бꙋ́детъ.
If you lack earthly riches, do not seek them in the world by evil deeds. If they fall to your lot, let them be stored up in heaven by good works. A manly Christian soul should neither be overjoyed at acquiring them nor cast down when they are gone. Let us instead reflect on what the Lord says: "Where thy treasure is, there your heart will be also." Surely when we hear that we should lift up our hearts, the familiar answer that we make should not be a lie.
LETTER 189For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. This is to be understood not only about money, but about all passions. The glutton's god is the belly. Therefore, there he has his heart where his treasure is. The luxurious man's treasures are feasts, the wanton's amusements, the lover's lust, hence each one serves from whom he is conquered.
On the Gospel of LukeNow this must not only be felt concerning love of money, but all the passions. Luxurious feasts are treasures; also the sports of the gay and the desires of the lover...
Catena Aurea by AquinasNow great effort must be made regarding where the treasure is placed, because the mind is also placed in the same place; therefore he adds: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Treasure is that which the mind principally loves, according to that passage in Matthew 13: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden" etc. But where the principal object of love is, there the mind will dwell; whence Bernard says: "The soul is more truly where it loves than where it gives life." And therefore where your treasure is, there also is your heart. Bede says: "If it is on earth, the heart is below; if in heavenly things, it is fixed in Christ; for it is necessary that where the treasure of love has preceded, there the affection of thought follows." And because the wise man has his treasure in heaven, and the fool on earth, therefore Ecclesiastes 10: "The heart of the wise man is at his right hand, and the heart of the fool at his left" etc.; Second Corinthians 4: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." For this visible and earthly treasure consists in money; but the invisible treasure consists in wisdom; Wisdom 7: "All good things came to me together with her"; and afterward: "For she is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use are made partakers of the friendship of God."
And note that this treasure, which consists in wisdom, begins from the fear of reverence: Isaiah 33: "The riches of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure." It advances, moreover, in the pursuit of learning: Matthew 13: "Every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven" etc. It is preserved in holiness of conscience: Luke 6: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart" etc. It is consummated, moreover, in the sublimity of glory: Matthew 19: "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you have, and you shall have treasure in heaven."
And he speaks here of such things; whence he promises to the poor the provision of refreshment, the kingdom of excellence, and the treasure of abundance, because the poor are accustomed to being afflicted and despised and needy for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12For every man naturally dwells upon that which is the object of his desire, and thither he directs all his thoughts, where he supposes his whole interest to rest. If any one then has his whole mind and affections, which he calls the heart, set on things of this present life, he lives in earthly things. But if he has given his mind to heavenly things, there will his mind be; so that he seems with his body only to live with men, but with his mind to have already reached the heavenly mansion.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAll this is what that treasure brings about. Either through almsgiving it raises the heart of a man into heaven, or through greed it buries it in the earth. That is why he said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." O man, send your treasure on, send it ahead into heaven, or else your God-given soul will be buried in the earth. Gold comes from the depth of the earth—the soul, from the highest heaven. Clearly it is better to carry the gold to where the soul resides than to bury the soul in the mine of the gold. That is why God orders those who will serve in his army here below to fight as men stripped of concern for riches and unencumbered by anything. To these he has granted the privilege of reigning in heaven.
SERMON 22Then, since not everyone is robbed, He adds an even greater and completely irrefutable reason. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Let it be so, He says, that neither moth devours nor thief approaches, but what punishment does the very enslavement of the heart to treasure buried in the earth and the casting down to earth of the godlike substance of the soul deserve? Is not the punishment all the greater for the one who possesses a mind? Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If your treasure is in the earth, then your heart is in it too; if your treasure is in heaven, then your heart is on high. Who would not choose rather to be on high than under the earth, to be an Angel rather than a mole living in underground burrows?
Commentary on LukeMoreover, because all things are not taken away by theft, He adds a more excellent reason, and one which admits of no objection whatever, saying, For where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also; as if He says, "Suppose that neither moth corrupts nor thief takes away, yet this very thing, namely, to have the heart fixed in a buried treasure, and to sink to the earth a divine work, that is, the soul, how great a punishment it deserves."
Catena Aurea by AquinasLet your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
ἔστωσαν ὑμῶν αἱ ὀσφύες περιεζωσμέναι καὶ οἱ λύχνοι καιόμενοι·
Да бꙋ́дꙋтъ чрє́сла ва̑ша препоѧ̑сана, и҆ свѣти́льницы горѧ́щїи:
(de Qu. Ev. lib. ii. q. 25.) Or, He teaches us also to gird our loins for the sake of keeping ourselves from the love of the things of this world, and to have our lamps burning, that this thing may be done with a true end and right intention.
Catena Aurea by AquinasLet your loins be girded, and lamps burning in your hands: and you be like unto men waiting for their lord. For he had shown many, either those subject to the world in all things, or those serving the Lord with a view to worldly benefit, beautifully and briefly he instructs his own, both to gird their loins for the sake of abstaining from the love of worldly things, and to have burning lamps, so that they may do this with true purpose and right intention. Otherwise, we gird our loins when we restrain the luxury of the flesh through abstinence. And we hold burning lamps in our hands, when through good works we show examples of light to our neighbors. For to our Redeemer, one without the other can by no means be pleasing, if either the one who does good yet has not abandoned the impurities of luxury, or the one who excels in chastity has not yet exercised himself in good works. But if both are done, it remains for any such person to strive with hope toward the heavenly homeland, by no means restraining himself from vices for the sake of this world's honor, but placing all his hope in the coming of his Redeemer. Hence it immediately follows:
On the Gospel of LukeThere is an order of levels intended for enlightenment, that of acolytes, subdeacons, and deacons. And these orders are for the sake of enlightenment. Now, enlightenment is at times through external example, at others, through writings of secondary importance, at others again, through writings of primary importance. The first carry candles, that is, the acolytes of whom it is said: "Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning." According to Gregory, the lamps are luminous works.
Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 22Let your loins be girded, etc. After he has recalled from the solicitude of avarice, here secondly he invites to the solicitude of providence, lest anyone believe that he wished to remove all solicitude from the heart. He invites, moreover, to this kind of solicitude from the consideration of the twofold advent: first, namely, from consideration of the second advent, which will be terrible; second, from consideration of the first advent, which was lovable, at the passage: I have come to cast fire upon the earth.
First, therefore, as regards promptness of readiness in the body, he says: Let your loins be girded, etc. Just as he is ready who is girded for setting out on a journey, so he is ready who restrains in himself carnal desires. Whence Gregory: "By the name of the loins, from the principal seat of desire, lust is designated"; Job 40: "His strength is in his loins," etc. "We gird our loins, therefore, when we restrain the lust of the flesh through continence. But because it does not suffice not to do evil unless one also strives to labor in good works, there is immediately added: And lamps burning in your hands. We indeed have burning lamps in our hands when through good works we show examples of light to our neighbors." For a lamp rightly signifies the divine commandment: Proverbs 6: "The commandment is a lamp, and the law is light," etc. This lamp is in the hand when the commandment is in practice: Proverbs, the last chapter: "Her lamp shall not be extinguished in the night. And she put her hand to strong things," etc.; and Matthew 5: "So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works," etc.
And note that just as a lamp shields its light from the wind but not from sight, so good works are compared to a lamp: because "the work ought to be in public in such a way that the intention remains hidden"; thus should a person wish to give others an example of virtue, yet not seek the reward of transitory favor.
Moreover, in order that evil may perfectly cease in us, our loins must be girded in a threefold manner, namely the loins of carnal contact, concerning which the Psalm says: "My loins are filled with illusions, and there is no health in my flesh"; and these are to be girded with the belt of chastity: Isaiah 32: "Gird your loins, beat upon the breasts," etc. Likewise, the loins of carnal affection with the belt of virtue: Job 40: "Gird your loins like a man"; and Jeremiah 1: "Gird your loins, arise and speak to them." Likewise, the loins of carnal thought with the belt of truth: 1 Peter 1: "Having girded the loins of your mind, be sober," etc.
Moreover, in order that the good may perfectly shine forth in us, the lamp of right intention must be carried: above, chapter 11: "The lamp of your body is your eye." Likewise, the lamp of true preaching must be carried: Psalm: "Your word is a lamp to my feet"; Ecclesiasticus forty-eight: "Elijah arose like fire, and his word burned like a torch." Likewise, the lamp of honorable conduct must be carried: John five: "He was a burning and shining lamp"; and in the Psalm: "There I will make the horn of David spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for my Christ."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12We must therefore sleep so as to be easily awaked. For it is said, "Let your loins be girt about, and your lamps burning; and ye yourselves like to men that watch for their lord, that when he returns from the marriage, and comes and knocks, they may straightway open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching." For there is no use of a sleeping man, as there is not of a dead man. Wherefore we ought often to rise by night and bless God. For blessed are they who watch for Him, and so make themselves like the angels, whom we call "watchers." But a man asleep is worth nothing, any more than if he were not alive.
The Instructor Book 2Let us, beloved brethren, arouse ourselves as much as we can; and breaking the slumber of our ancient listlessness, let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord's precepts. Let us be such as He Himself has bidden us to be, saying, "Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when He shall come from the wedding, that when He cometh and knocketh, they may open to Him. Blessed are those servants whom their Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching." We ought to be girt about, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangled. Let our light shine in good works, and glow in such wise as to lead us from the night of this world to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always with solicitude and caution wait for the sudden coming of the Lord, that when He shall knock, our faith may be on the watch, and receive from the Lord the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we cannot be overtaken in slumber by the deceit of the devil; but we shall reign with Christ in His kingdom as servants that watch.
Treatise I. On the Unity of the ChurchThat we must press on and persevere in faith and virtue, and in completion of heavenly and spiritual grace, that we may attain to the palm and the crown. In the book of Chronicles: "The Lord is with you so long as ye also are with Him; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you." In Ezekiel also: "The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in what day soever he may transgress." Moreover, in the Gospel the Lord speaks, and says: "He that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved." And again: "If ye shall abide in my word, ye shall be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Moreover, forewarning us that we ought always to be ready, and to stand firmly equipped and armed, He adds, and says: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he shall return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him. Blessed are those servants whom their lord, when he cometh, shall find watching." Also the blessed Apostle Paul, that our faith may advance and grow, and attain to the highest point, exhorts us, saying: "Know ye not, that they which run in a race run all indeed, yet one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And they, indeed, that they may receive a corruptible crown; but ye an incorruptible." And again: "No man that warreth for God binds himself to anxieties of this world, that he may be able to please Him to whom he hath approved himself. Moreover, also, if a man should contend, he will not be crowned unless he have fought lawfully." And again: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the mercy of God, that ye constitute your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God; and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed in the renewing of your spirit, that ye may prove what is the will of God, good, and acceptable, and perfect." And again: "We are children of God: but if children, then heirs; heirs indeed of God, but joint-heirs with Christ, if we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together." And in the Apocalypse the same exhortation of divine preaching speaks, saying, "Hold fast that which thou hast, lest another take thy crown; " which example of perseverance and persistence is pointed out in Exodus, when Moses, for the overthrow of Ama-lek, who bore the type of the devil, raised up his open hands in the sign and sacrament of the cross, and could not conquer his adversary unless when he had stedfastly persevered in the sign with hands continually lifted up. "And it came to pass," says he, "when Moses raised up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he let down his hands, Amalek grew mighty. And they took a stone and placed it under him, and he sate thereon. And Aaron and Hur held up his hands on the one side and on the other side, and Moses' hands were made steady even to the going down of the sun. Anti Jesus routed Amalek and all his people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this, and let it be a memorial in a book, and tell it in the ears of Jesus; because in destroying I will destroy the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."
Treatise XI Exhortation to Martyrdom Addressed to FortunatusThat Christ is the Bridegroom, having the Church as His bride, from which spiritual children were to be born. In Joel: "Blow with the trumpet in Sion; sanctify a fast, and call a healing; assemble the people, sanctify the Church, gather the elders, collect the little ones that suck the breast; let the Bridegroom go forth of His chamber, and the bride out of her closet." Also in Jeremiah: "And I will take away from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of the joyous, and the voice of the glad; the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride." Also in the eighteenth Psalm: "And he is as a bridegroom going forth from his chamber; he exulted as a giant to run his course. From the height of heaven is his going forth, and his circuit even to the end of it; and there is nothing which is hid from his heat." Also in the Apocalypse: "Come, I will show thee the new bride, the Lamb's wife. And he took me in the Spirit to a great mountain, and he showed me the holy city Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God." Also in the Gospel according to John: "Ye are my witnesses, that I said to them who were sent from Jerusalem to me, that I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. For he who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom is he who standeth and heareth him with joy, and rejoiceth because of the voice of the bridegroom." The mystery of this matter was shown in Jesus the son of Nave, when he was bidden to put his shoes from off him, doubt less because he himself was not the bridegroom. For it was in the law, that whoever should refuse marriage should put off his shoe, but that he should be shod who was to be the bridegroom: "And it happened, when Jesus was in Jericho, he looked around with his eyes, and saw a man standing before his face, and holding a javelin in his hand, and said, Art thou for us or for our enemies? And he said, I am the leader of the host of the Lord; now draw near. And Jesus fell on his rice to the earth, and said to him, Lord, what dost Thou command unto Thy servant. And the leader of the Lord's host said, Loose thy shoe from thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Also, in Exodus, Moses is bidden to put off his shoe, because he, too, was not the bridegroom: "And there appeared unto him the angel of the Lord in a flame of fire out of a bush; and he saw that the bush burned with fire, but the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will pass over and see this great sight, why the bush is not consumed. But when He saw that he drew near to see, the Lord God called him from the bush, saying, Moses, Moses. And he said, What is it? And He said, Draw not nigh hither, unless thou hast loosed thy shoe from off thy feet; for the place on which thou standest is holy ground. And He said unto him, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." This was also made plain in the Gospel according to John: "And John answered them, I indeed baptize with water, but there standeth One in the midst of you whom ye know not: He it is of whom I said, The man that cometh after me is made before me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose." Also according to Luke: "Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning, and ye like to men that wait for their master when he shall come from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him. Blessed are those servants whom their Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching." Also in the Apocalypse: "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth: let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give to Him the honour of glory; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."
Treatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews.That he who has attained to trust, having put off the former man, ought to regard only celestial and spiritual things, and to give no heed to the world which he has already renounced. In Isaiah: "Seek ye the Lord; and when ye have found Him, call upon Him. But when He hath come near unto you, let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him be turned unto the Lord, and he shall obtain mercy, because He will plentifully pardon your sins." Of this same thing in Solomon: "I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; and, lo, all are vanity." Of this same thing in Exodus: "But thus shall ye eat it; your loins girt, and your shoes on your feet, and your staves in your hands: and ye shall eat it in haste, for it is the Lord's passover." Of this same thing in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewith shall we be clothed? for these things the nations seek after. But your Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Likewise in the same place: "Think not for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for itself. Sufficient unto the day is its own evil." Likewise in the same place: "No one looking back, and putting his hands to the plough, is fit for the kingdom of God." Also in the same place: "Behold the fowls of the heaven: for they sow not, nor reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of more value than they? " Concerning this same thing, according to Luke: "Let your loins be girded, and your lamps burning; and ye like unto men that wait for their lord, when he cometh from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him. Blessed are those servants, whom their lord, when he cometh, shall find watching." Of this same thing in Matthew: "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where He may lay His head." Also in the same place: "Whoso forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple." Of this same thing in the first to the Corinthians: "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body." Also in the same place: "The time is limited. It remaineth, therefore, that both they who have wives be as though they have them not, and they who lament as they that lament not, and they that rejoice as they that rejoice not, and they who buy as they that buy not, and they who possess as they who possess not, and they who use this world as they that use it not; for the fashion of this world passeth away." Also in the same place: "The first man is of the clay of the earth, the second man from heaven. As he is of the clay, such also are they who are of the clay; and as is the heavenly, such also are the heavenly. Even as we have borne the image of him who is of the clay, let us bear His image also who is from heaven." Of this same matter to the Philippians: "All seek their own, and not those things which are Christ's; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and their glory is to their confusion, who mind earthly things. For our conversation is in heaven, whence also we expect the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall transform the body of our humiliation conformed to the body of His glory." Of this very matter to Galatians: "But be it far from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Concerning this same thing to Timothy: "No man that warreth for God bindeth himself with worldly annoyances, that he may please Him to whom he hath approved himself. But and if a man should contend, he will not be crowned unless he fight lawfully." Of this same thing to the Colossians: "If ye be dead with Christ from I the elements of the world, why still, as if living in the world, do ye follow vain things? " Also concerning this same thing: "If ye have risen together with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God. Give heed to the things that are above, not to those things which are on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ your life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Of this same thing to the Ephesians: Put off the old man of the former conversation, who is corrupted, according to the lusts of deceit. But be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, him who according to God is ordained in righteousness, and holiness, and truth." Of this same thing in the Epistle of Peter: "As strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; but having a good conversation among the Gentiles, that while they detract from you as if from evildoers, yet, beholding your good works, they may magnify God." Of this same thing in the Epistle of John: "He who saith he abideth in Christ, ought himself also to walk even as He walked." Also in the same place: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Because everything which is in the world is lust of the flesh, and lust of the eyes, and the ambition of this world, which is not of the Father, but of the lust of this world. And the world shall pass away with its lust. But he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever, even as God abideth for ever." Also in the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new dough, as ye are unleavened. For also Christ our passover is sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not in the old leaven, nor in the leaven of malice and wickedness, but in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Treatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews.The girding of our loins signifies the readiness of the mind to work hard in every thing praiseworthy. Those who apply themselves to bodily labors and are engaged in strenuous toil have their loins girded. The lamp apparently represents the wakefulness of the mind and intellectual cheerfulness. We say that the human mind is awake when it repels any tendency to slumber off into that carelessness that often is the means of bringing it into subjection to every kind of wickedness. When sunk in stupor, the heavenly light within the mind is liable to be endangered, or even already is in danger from a violent and impetuous blast of wind. Christ commands us to be awake. To this, his disciple also arouses us by saying, "Be awake. Be watchful." Further on, the very wise Paul also says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall give you light."
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 92Or, to be girded, signifies activity and readiness to undergo evils from regard to Divine love. But the burning of the lamp signifies that we should not suffer any to live in the darkness of ignorance.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWatch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour in which our Lord cometh.
The Didache, Chapter 16(ubi sup.) For the sake then of keeping watch, our Lord advised above that our loins should be girded, and our lamps burning, for light when placed before the eyes drives away sleep. The loins also when tied with a girdle, make the body incapable of sleep. For he who is girt about with chastity, and illuminated by a pure conscience, continues wakeful.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThat lust resides in the loins in men and in the navel in women, the Lord testifies when speaking of the devil to blessed Job, saying: "His strength is in his loins, and his power is in the navel of his belly." Therefore, by the principal sex, lust is designated by the name of loins, when the Lord says: "Let your loins be girded." For we gird our loins when we restrain the lust of the flesh through continence. But because it is not enough to refrain from evil unless one also strives to labor in good works, it is immediately added: "And have burning lamps in your hands." For we hold burning lamps in our hands when through good works we show examples of light to our neighbors. Concerning these works the Lord indeed says: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Now two things are commanded: both to restrain the loins and to hold lamps, so that there may be both the purity of chastity in the body and the light of truth in action. For one without the other can in no way please our Redeemer, whether he who does good has not yet abandoned the defilements of lust, or he who excels in chastity does not yet exercise himself in good works. Neither is chastity great without good work, nor is any work good without chastity.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 13(Hom. 13. in Evang.) Or else, we gird our loins when by continence we control the lusts of the flesh. For the lust of men is in their loins, and of women in their womb; by the name of loins, therefore, from the principal sex, lust is signified. But because it is a small thing not to do evil, unless also men strive to labour in good works, it is added, And your lamps burning in your hands; for we hold burning lamps in our hands, when by good works we show forth bright examples to our neighbours.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd therefore did the Lord say to His disciples, to make us become good workmen: "Take heed to yourselves, and watch continually upon every occasion, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day shall come upon you unawares; for as a snare shall it come upon all dwelling upon the face of the earth." "Let your loins, therefore, be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding." "For as it was in the days of Noe, they did eat and drink, they bought and sold, they married and were given in marriage, and they knew not, until Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all; as also it was in the days of Lot, they did eat and drink, they bought and sold, they planted and builded, until the time that Lot went out of Sodom; it rained fire from heaven, and destroyed them all: so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of man." "Watch ye therefore, for ye know not in what day your Lord shall come." [In these passages] He declares one and the same Lord, who in the times of Noah brought the deluge because of man's disobedience, and who also in the days of Lot rained fire from heaven because of the multitude of sinners among the Sodomites, and who, on account of this same disobedience and similar sins, will bring on the day of judgment at the end of time; on which day He declares that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city and house which shall not receive the word of His apostles.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book 4For this reason the Lord also said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." And, "Take heed to yourselves, lest perchance your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and worldly cares." And, "Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning, and ye like unto men that wait for their Lord, when He returns from the wedding, that when He cometh and knocketh, they may open to Him. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing." And again, "The servant who knows his Lord's will, and does it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." And, "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" And again, "But if the servant say in his heart, The Lord delayeth, and begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat, and drink, and to be drunken, his Lord will come in a day on which he does not expect Him, and shall cut him in sunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites." All such passages demonstrate the independent will of man, and at the same time the counsel which God conveys to him, by which He exhorts us to submit ourselves to Him, and seeks to turn us away from [the sin of] unbelief against Him, without, however, in any way coercing us.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book 4Or, he teaches us to keep our lamps burning, by prayer and contemplation and spiritual love.
Catena Aurea by AquinasJust as our Lord Jesus Christ commands in the Gospels, thus directing: "Let not your lights be extinguished, and let not your loins be loosed. Therefore also be ye like men who wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are ye, when he shall make you sit down, and shall come and serve you. And if he come in the second, or in the third watch, ye are blessed." For consider, O virgins, when He mentions three watches of the night, and His three comings, He shadows forth in symbol our three periods of life, that of the boy, of the full-grown man, and of the old man; so that if He should come and remove us from the world while spending our first period, that is, while we are boys, He may receive us ready and pure, having nothing amiss; and the second and the third in like manner.
Methodius Discourse V. ThallousaTherefore, let us not be constantly with women, nor with maidens. For this is not profitable for those who truly wish to "gird up their loins." [Luke 12:35] For it is required that we love the sisters in all purity and chasteness, and with all curbing of thought, in the fear of God, not associating constantly with them, nor finding access to them at every hour.
Two Epistles on VirginityWe are servants because we have a Lord in our God. We ought "to have our loins girded: " in other words, we are to be free from the embarrassments of a perplexed and much occupied life; "to have our lights burning," that is, our minds kindled by faith, and resplendent with the works of truth.
Against Marcion Book IVWe ought "to have our loins girded: " in other words, we are to be free from the embarrassments of a perplexed and much occupied life; "to have our lights burning," that is, our minds kindled by faith, and resplendent with the works of truth.
Against Marcion Book IVThe Lord, having made His disciple free from excess, having released him from every worldly care and pride, and having thus made him light, now makes him also a servant. For whoever desires to serve must be light and nimble. Therefore He says: "Let your loins be girded," that is, always show yourselves ready for the works of your master, and "your lamps burning," that is, do not live in darkness and without discernment, but let the light of reason show you all that ought and ought not to be done. Thus, this world is night. Those girded at the loins are those leading the active life. For such is the garb of workers. They also need burning lamps. For in the active life the gift of discernment is also needed, that is, so that the worker may distinguish not only what ought to be done, but also how it ought to be done. For many did what was good, but did not do it well. Such people, although they were girded at the loins, since they were active, did not have burning lamps, that is, they did not have rational discernment, but fell either into pride or into another abyss of folly. Note also that first our loins are girded, then the lamps are lit. For first comes activity, then contemplation, which is the illumination of our mind. For the lamp, our mind, is then called burning when the light of God shines in it. Therefore, let us diligently exercise ourselves in virtue, so that we may have both our lamps burning, that is, the inner word and the spoken word — the inner one illuminating everything in the soul, and the spoken one shining on the tongue. For the inner lamp enlightens us, while the teaching and spoken word gives light to others.
Commentary on LukeOur Lord having taught His disciples moderation, taking from them all care and conceit of this life, now leads them on to serve and obey, saying, Let your loins be girded, that is, always ready to do the work of your Lord, and your lamps burning, that is, do not lead a life in darkness, but have with you the light of reason, showing you what to do and what to avoid. For this world is the night, but they have their loins girded, who follow a practical or active life. For such is the condition of servants who must have with them also lamps burning; that is, the gift of discernment, that the active man may be able to distinguish not only what he ought to do, but in what way; otherwise men rush down the precipice of pride. But we must observe, that He first orders our loins to be girded, secondly, our lamps to be burning. For first indeed comes action, then reflection, which is an enlightening of the mind. Let us then strive to exercise the virtues, that we may have two lamps burning, that is, the conception of the mind ever shining forth in the soul, by which we are ourselves enlightened, and learning, whereby we enlighten others.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
καὶ ὑμεῖς ὅμοιοι ἀνθρώποις προσδεχομένοις τὸν κύριον ἑαυτῶν, πότε ἀναλύσει ἐκ τῶν γάμων, ἵνα ἐλθόντος καὶ κρούσαντος εὐθέως ἀνοίξωσιν αὐτῷ.
и҆ вы̀ подо́бни человѣ́кѡмъ ча́ющымъ го́спода своегѡ̀, когда̀ возврати́тсѧ ѿ бра́ка, да прише́дшꙋ и҆ толкнꙋ́вшꙋ, а҆́бїе ѿве́рзꙋтъ є҆мꙋ̀.
And you be like men waiting for their lord, when he returns from the weddings. For the Lord went to the weddings, because rising from the dead and ascending into heaven, the new man united to himself the supreme multitude of angels. He then returns when he is now manifested to us through judgment. And well is it added concerning the waiting servants:
On the Gospel of LukeThat when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. For he comes when he approaches for judgment; indeed, he knocks when he indicates that death is near through the afflictions of illness. To whom we open immediately, if we receive him with love. For he does not want to open to the knocking judge who trembles to leave the body; and he fears to see the judge whom he remembers having scorned. But he who is secure in his hope and action opens to the knocking judge immediately, because he joyfully waits for the judge; when he recognizes the time of imminent death, he rejoices at the glory of the reward. Hence it immediately follows:
On the Gospel of LukeSecond, with regard to the solicitude of expectation in the heart, he adds: And you yourselves like men waiting for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding, that is, when he shall come to judgment, descending from heaven. Whence Gregory: "The Lord went to the wedding when, after his resurrection, the new man joined to himself the multitude of Angels: he shall then return when through judgment he is manifested to us." Whence he ought always to be awaited by the good; Philippians 3: "We look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," etc. And this expectation is not vain: Proverbs 17: "The expectation of him who waits is a most pleasing gem"; nor is it drowsy: Psalm: "Wait for the Lord and act manfully."
And therefore he adds: That when he comes, "hastening to judgment," and knocks, through the scourge of infirmity, they may open to him at once, through intimate desire: Apocalypse 3: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if anyone shall open to me, I will enter in to him," etc. Bede: "He does not wish to open to the judge who knocks who, fearing to see him angered whom he despised, dreads to depart from the body. He opens who awaits the judge gladly and securely and rejoices at approaching death." Song of Songs 5: "The voice of my beloved knocking," and after: "I arose to open," etc.
And it should be noted here that this Gospel is read on the feasts of Confessors, because they are commended in a threefold manner, namely with regard to the avoidance of evil in the girding of the loins, and with regard to the doing of good in the carrying of lamps, and with regard to the expectation of the best in the likeness of men waiting for their lord; according to those three things which are said in Micah 6: "I will show you, O man, what is good: to do judgment," with respect to yourself, "and to love mercy," with respect to your neighbor, "and to walk solicitously with your God," with respect to God.
Finally, for this purpose, that desire may be perfectly enkindled, Christ must be awaited confidently: Habakkuk two: "If he should delay, wait for him, for he who is coming will come," etc. Likewise, he must be awaited joyfully: Proverbs ten: "The expectation of the just is joy," etc. Likewise, he must be awaited watchfully: Job fourteen: "All the days in which I now serve, I wait, until my change shall come." And in this way the servants await "their lord, when he returns from the wedding." Thus the blessed Confessors are perfectly praised, according to that passage in Titus two: "Let us live soberly and justly and piously in this age, awaiting the blessed hope and the coming of the glory of the great God," etc.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12We should look for Christ's coming again from heaven. He will come in the glory of the Father with the holy angels. He has taught us saying that we must be like those who wait for their lord to return from the banqueting house, so that when he comes and knocks, they may open the door to him immediately. For Christ will return as from a feast. This plainly shows that God always dwells in festivals that are fitting for him. In heaven above, there is no sadness whatsoever since nothing can occasion grief. That heavenly nature is incapable of passion and of being affected by anything whatsoever of this kind.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 92Now consider that He comes from the wedding as from a festival, which God is ever keeping; for nothing can cause sadness to the Incorruptible Nature.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Hom. 11. in Cant..) Or else, when the wedding was celebrated and the Church received into the secret bridal chamber, the angels were expecting the return of the King to His own natural blessedness. And after their example we order our life, that as they living together without evil, are prepared to welcome their Lord's return, so we also, keeping watch at the door, should make ourselves ready to obey Him when He comes knocking; for it follows, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut even if both are practiced, it remains that whoever he is should reach toward the heavenly homeland by hope, and should not restrain himself from vices merely for the sake of this world's respectability. For even if he sometimes begins certain good things for the sake of respectability, he ought not to remain in that intention, nor seek the glory of the present world through good works, but should place all his hope in the coming of his Redeemer. Hence it is immediately added: "And be like men waiting for their lord, when he returns from the wedding." For the Lord went to the wedding because, rising from the dead and ascending into heaven, the new man joined to himself the heavenly multitude of angels. He returns when he is manifested to us through judgment.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 13(ubi sup.) But if a man has both of these, whosoever he be, nothing remains for him but that he should place his whole expectation on the coming of the Redeemer. Therefore it is added, And be ye like to men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding, &c. For our Lord went to the wedding, when ascending up into heaven as the Bridegroom He joined to Himself the heavenly multitude of angels.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(ubi sup.) For He comes when He hastens to judgment, but He knocks, when already by the pain of sickness He denotes that death is at hand; to whom we immediately open if we receive Him with love. For he who trembles to depart from the body, has no wish to open to the Judge knocking, and dreads to see that Judge whom he remembers to have despised. But he who rests secure concerning his hope and works, immediately opens to Him that knocks; for when he is aware of the time of death drawing near, he grows joyful, because of the glory of his reward.
Catena Aurea by AquinasWe ought "to have our loins girded: " in other words, we are to be free from the embarrassments of a perplexed and much occupied life; "to have our lights burning," that is, our minds kindled by faith, and resplendent with the works of truth. And thus "to wait for our Lord," that is, Christ.
Against Marcion Book IVAnd we must be "like men waiting for the return of their... master... from the wedding." Who else is this Master but Christ Jesus? He, having assumed human nature as a bride and united it with Himself, made a wedding, cleaving to it in one flesh. And He does not make just one wedding, but many, for in heaven He daily betroths to Himself the souls of the saints, whom Paul or one like Paul presents to Him as pure virgins (2 Cor. 11:2). He returns from the heavenly wedding, perhaps openly before all, at the end of the world, when He comes from heaven in the glory of the Father, or perhaps invisibly and unexpectedly appearing at every season, at the end of each person's life in particular. Therefore, blessed is the one whom He finds girded about the loins, that is, ready to serve God through the active part of Christian wisdom, and having a burning lamp of word and discernment, not only doing good, but doing it well, and beyond that having received contemplation as a kind of lamp. For through the girding of the loins, the lamp of contemplation also becomes burning within us, and even two lamps, one inward and one brought outward.
Commentary on LukeDaily also in the heavens He betroths the souls of the Saints, whom Paul or another offers to Him, as a chaste virgin. (2 Cor 11:2.) But He returns from the celebration of the heavenly marriage, perhaps to all at the end of the whole world, when He shall come from heaven in the glory of the Father; perhaps also every hour standing suddenly present at the death of each individual.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBlessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
μακάριοι οἱ δοῦλοι ἐκεῖνοι, οὓς ἐλθὼν ὁ κύριος εὑρήσει γρηγοροῦντας. ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι περιζώσεται καὶ ἀνακλινεῖ αὐτούς, καὶ παρελθὼν διακονήσει αὐτοῖς.
Бл҃же́ни рабѝ ті́и, и҆̀хже прише́дъ госпо́дь ѡ҆брѧ́щетъ бдѧ́щихъ: а҆ми́нь гл҃ю ва́мъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ препоѧ́шетсѧ и҆ посади́тъ и҆̀хъ, и҆ минꙋ́въ {пристꙋпи́въ} послꙋ́житъ и҆̀мъ.
Blessed are those servants whom the Lord will find watching when He comes. One watches who keeps the eyes of the mind open to the sight of the true light. One watches who fulfills by action what he has believed. One watches who drives the darkness of sluggishness and negligence away from himself. Hence Paul says: Awake to righteousness, and sin not (I Cor. XV). Hence he also says again: It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep (Rom. XIII). But let us hear what the Lord, upon His coming, will offer to those vigilant servants.
On the Gospel of LukeAmen, I say to you that He will gird Himself and have them sit at table, and He will come and serve them. He girds Himself, which means He prepares their reward; He has them sit at table, which means they are refreshed in eternal rest. Our sitting at table surely means resting in the kingdom. Wherefore the Lord again says: They will come and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matt. VIII). The Lord, passing by, ministers because He satisfies us with the illumination of His light. Truly, passing by, it is said, He returns from judgment to the kingdom. Or certainly, the Lord passes to us after judgment because He elevates us from the form of His humanity to the contemplation of His divinity. And His passing by is to lead us into the vision of His brightness, for when we see Him in humanity at judgment, we also see Him in divinity after judgment.
On the Gospel of LukeBlessed are those servants, etc. Here secondly he introduces the motive for vigilant watching, and this is twofold, namely the beatification of the watchful without failing and without any exception.
First, therefore, as regards the beatification of the watchful without failing, he says: Blessed are those servants whom, when the lord comes, he finds watching: Proverbs eight: "Blessed is the man who hears me and who watches at my gates daily"; and therefore Ecclesiasticus thirty-nine: "The just man will give his heart to watching at dawn," etc. Such ones the Lord declares blessed: Job eight: "If you rise at dawn and beseech the Almighty, he will immediately awake to you and will restore the dwelling of your justice in peace."
Therefore he adds: Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, "preparing himself for recompense"; Psalm: "The Lord has reigned, he has clothed himself with beauty," etc. And he will make them recline, namely at the eternal banquet: Ezekiel thirty-four: "I will feed my sheep, and I will make them lie down."
And passing by, he will minister to them, through the most generous sharing. Passing by, that is, causing them to pass over: Sirach twenty-four: "Come over to me, all you who desire me," etc.; because from Christ and through Christ we pass over to Christ, namely from the glory of the body to the glory of the soul, and from this to the glory of the Godhead. On account of which he says in John ten: "I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he shall be saved"; and in the fourteenth chapter: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." But Christ is said to minister, because he will always give the substance of joy, of actual unfailing refreshment: Revelation seven: "They shall hunger no more, nor thirst anymore"; "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall rule them and lead them to the fountains of the waters of life." "Blessed therefore are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb," Revelation nineteen: in which the spotless Lamb will be the bridegroom, the food, the lord, and the minister; the Psalm: "They shall be inebriated with the plenty of your house, and you shall give them to drink of the torrent of your pleasure." He himself will minister and invite, according to that passage of the Song of Songs five: "Eat, O friends, and drink and be inebriated, dearest ones."
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12When he comes and finds us girded, awake and our hearts enlightened, then he immediately will make us blessed. "He will gird his loins and serve them." By this, we learn that he will reward us proportionately. Since we are weary with toil, he will comfort us, setting before us spiritual banquets and spreading the abundant table of his gifts.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 92When then our Lord coming shall find us awake and girded, having our hearts enlightened, He will then pronounce us blessed, for it follows, Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself; from which we perceive that He will recompense us in like manner, seeing that He will gird Himself with those that are girded. (Isa. 11:5.)
He will then make them to sit down as a refreshment to the weary, setting before them spiritual enjoyments, and ordering a sumptuous table of His gifts.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd well is it added concerning the waiting servants: "That when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately." For the Lord comes when he hastens to judgment; he knocks when through the troubles of illness he indicates that death is near. We open to him immediately if we receive him with love. For he who trembles to depart from the body does not wish to open to the judge who knocks, and fears to see as judge him whom he remembers having despised. But he who is confident in his hope and work opens immediately to the one who knocks, because he awaits the judge joyfully; and when he recognizes that the time of approaching death has come, he rejoices in the glory of recompense. Hence it is immediately added: "Blessed are those servants whom the lord, when he comes, shall find watching." He watches who keeps the eyes of his mind open to behold the true light; he watches who preserves in action what he believes; he watches who repels from himself the darkness of torpor and negligence. Hence Paul says: "Awake, you righteous, and do not sin." Hence again he says: "It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep."
But let us hear what the coming Lord shows to his watchful servants: "Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them recline, and passing by will minister to them." He will gird himself, that is, he will prepare himself for recompense; and he will make them recline, that is, to be refreshed in eternal rest. For our reclining in the kingdom is to rest. Whence again the Lord says: "They will come and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." But the Lord passing by ministers, because he satisfies us with the illumination of his light. And it is said "passing," when he returns from judgment to the kingdom. Or certainly the Lord passes by for us after the judgment, because he raises us from the form of humanity to the contemplation of his divinity. And his passing is to lead us into the vision of his glory, when him whom we perceive in humanity at the judgment, we also see in divinity after the judgment. For coming to judgment, he appears to all in the form of a servant, because it is written: "They will look upon him whom they pierced." But when the reprobate fall into punishment, the just are drawn to the glory of his brightness, as it is written: "Let the impious one be taken away, lest he see the glory of God."
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 13(ubi sup.) For He comes when He hastens to judgment, but He knocks, when already by the pain of sickness He denotes that death is at hand; to whom we immediately open if we receive Him with love. For he who trembles to depart from the body, has no wish to open to the Judge knocking, and dreads to see that Judge whom he remembers to have despised. But he who rests secure concerning his hope and works, immediately opens to Him that knocks; for when he is aware of the time of death drawing near, he grows joyful, because of the glory of his reward; and hence it is added, Blessed are the servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching. He watches who keeps the eyes of his mind open to behold the true light; who by his works maintains that which he beholds, who drives from himself the darkness of sloth and carelessness.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Hom. 13. in Ev.) By which He girds Himself, that is, prepares for judgment.
(Hom. 13. in Ev.) But He is said to be passing over, when He returns from the judgment to His kingdom. Or the Lord passes to us after the judgment, and raises us from the form of His humanity to a contemplation of His divinity.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas"The pain of the stroke" means that inflicted at the beginning upon disobedient man in Adam, that is, death; which [stroke] the Lord will heal when He raises us from the dead, and restores the inheritance of the fathers, as Isaiah again says: "And thou shall be confident in the Lord, and He will cause thee to pass over the whole earth, and feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy father." This is what the Lord declared: "Happy are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down [to meat], and will come forth and serve them. And if He shall come in the evening watch, and find them so, blessed are they, because He shall make them sit down, and minister to them; or if this be in the second, or it be in the third, blessed are they." Again John also says the very same in the Apocalypse: "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection." Then, too, Isaiah has declared the time when these events shall occur; he says: "And I said, Lord, how long? Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses be without men, and the earth be left a desert. And after these things the Lord shall remove us men far away, and those who shall remain shall multiply upon the earth." Then Daniel also says this very thing: "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of those under the heaven, is given to the saints of the Most High God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." And lest the promise named should be understood as referring to this time, it was declared to the prophet: "And come thou, and stand in thy lot at the consummation of the days."
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book 5"Verily I say unto you that He shall make His chosen ones sit down, and He shall gird up His loins and shall go in and minister unto them." Be thou then at all times mindful of this table, that from the remembrance thereof thou mayest receive strength, and mayest be able to despise the natural table; for there is no man who would exchange the dainty table of the kingdom for the coarse and common table of the bread of wheat, and more than this the table of meats of the body is smaller and inferior in comparison to that spiritual table.
13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence(Dion. in Ep. ad Tit.) The "sitting down" is taken to be the repose from many labours, a life without annoyance, the divine conversation of those that dwell in the region of light enriched with all holy affections, and an abundant pouring forth of all gifts, whereby they are filled with joy. For the reason why Jesus makes them to sit down, is that He might give them perpetual rest, and distribute to them blessings without number. Therefore it follows, And will pass over (transiens) and serve them.
Catena Aurea by AquinasFor such a servant, the Lord Himself becomes a servant. For it is said: "and will seat them, and coming near, will serve them." God girds Himself because He does not pour out upon us the full abundance of His blessings, but restrains it. For who can contain God as He is? This is seen also in the Seraphim, who cover themselves from the surpassing nature of the Divine light (Isa. 6:2). The good servants He reclines upon a couch, that is, He gives them rest in all things. For just as one lying on a couch rests the entire body, so also in the age to come all the saints will be given rest in every respect. Here they find no rest for the body, but there, together with their souls, their bodies too, having become spiritual and divine and having inherited incorruption, will enjoy perfect repose, and God will be all in all of them (1 Cor. 15:28). The Lord "will serve" the worthy servants, rendering to them in equal measure. As they served Him, so He too will serve them, setting before them an abundant feast and bestowing the enjoyment of spiritual gifts.
Commentary on LukeOr, He will gird Himself, in that He imparts not the whole fulness of blessings, but confines it within a certain measure. For who can comprehend God how great He is? Therefore are the Seraphims said to veil their countenance, because of the excellence of the Divine brightness. It follows, and will make them to sit down; for as a man sitting down causes his whole body to rest, so in the future coming the Saints will have complete rest; for here they have not rest for the body, but there together with their souls their spiritual bodies partaking of immortality will rejoice in perfect rest.
That is, Give back to them, as it were, an equal return, that as they served Him, so also He will serve them.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
καὶ ἐὰν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ φυλακῇ καὶ ἐν τῇ τρίτῃ φυλακῇ ἔλθῃ καὶ εὕρῃ οὕτω, μακάριοί εἰσιν οἱ δοῦλοι ἐκεῖνοι.
И҆ а҆́ще прїи́детъ во вторꙋ́ю стра́жꙋ, и҆ въ тре́тїю стра́жꙋ прїи́детъ, и҆ ѡ҆брѧ́щетъ (и҆̀хъ) та́кѡ, бл҃же́ни сꙋ́ть рабѝ ті́и.
(Severus.) Or, to the first watch belong those who live more carefully, as having gained the first step, but to the second, those who keep the measure of a moderate conversation, but to the third, those who are below these. And the same must be supposed of the fourth, and if it should so happen also of the fifth. For there are different measures of life, and a good rewarder metes out to every man according to his deserts.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd if he comes in the second watch, or if he comes in the third watch, and finds them so, blessed are those servants. The first watch is the time of youth, that is, childhood. The second is adolescence or youth. As the sacred word says in one authority: Rejoice, young man, in your youth (Eccl. XI). But the third is understood as old age. Therefore, he who did not wish to be watchful in the first watch, let him at least guard the second, so that he who neglected to turn away from his wickedness in childhood may awaken to the paths of life at least in his youth. And he who did not wish to be watchful in the second watch, let him not lose the remedies of the third watch, so that he who did not awaken to the paths of life in his youth may at least come to his senses in old age. But to shake off the sloth of our mind, external losses are also deduced through analogy, so that by these the mind may be roused to self-guarding; for it is said:
On the Gospel of LukeThen, as regards beatitude without exception, he adds: And if he comes in the second watch, and if he comes in the third watch, and finds them so, blessed are those servants. And note here that by the three watches are understood three states of the present life, namely of childhood, youth, and old age. Whence the Gloss of Bede: "He calls them watches after the likeness of those keeping guard in the night. The first watch is the guardianship of childhood, the second is of youth, and the third of old age. If anyone has neglected to keep watch in childhood, let him not despair; if he has neglected in youth, let him at least come to his senses at last in old age, because the merciful Lord patiently awaits our repentance"; Isaiah thirty: "Therefore the Lord waits, that he may have mercy on you; and therefore he shall be exalted, sparing you, because the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all who wait for him."
And note that in Mark 13 four watches are indicated according to the manner of distinguishing hours among those keeping watch: "Watch," he says, "for you know not when the Lord will come: at evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning." And by these watches are understood four states in which man exercises freedom of choice: the first and the last, and two intermediate ones; one is in advancement, and the other in decline. In this it is indicated that the Lord accepts our watchfulness at every hour without exception, but especially that which begins from childhood: Lamentations 3: "It is good for a man when he has borne the yoke from his youth"; and yet he does not refuse even the last stage of old age: whence it is said in Matthew 14 that "in the fourth watch of the night he came to the disciples walking upon the sea." At any hour, therefore, it is not useless but most useful to watch; below in chapter 21: "Watch, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of Man," etc.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12We typically divide the night into three or four watches. The sentinels on the city walls, who watch the motions of the enemy, after being on guard three or four hours, deliver the watch and guard over to others. With us, there are three ages. The first is childhood. The second is youth. The third is old age. Now the first of these, in which we are still children, is not called to account by God but is deemed worthy of pardon, because of the innocence as yet of the mind and the weakness of the understanding. The second and the third—the periods of adulthood and old age—owe obedience and piety of life to God, according to his good pleasure. Whoever is found watching and well belted, whether by chance he is still young or has arrived at old age, shall be blessed. For he will be counted worthy of attaining to Christ's promises.
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 92Our Lord knew the proneness of human infirmity to sin, but because He is merciful, He docs not allow us to despair, but rather has compassion, and gives us repentance as a saving remedy. And therefore He adds, And if he shall come in the second watch, &c. For they who keep watch on the walls of cities, or observe the attacks of the enemy, divide the night into three or four watches.
Of the first watch, however, he makes no mention, for childhood is not punished by God, but obtains pardon; but the second and third age owe obedience to God, and the leading of an honest life according to His will.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBut what if servants are negligent in the first watch? For the first watch is the guarding of the first age. But even so, one should not despair or cease from good work. For the Lord, suggesting the patience of his long-suffering, adds: "And if he comes in the second watch, and if he comes in the third watch, and finds them so, blessed are those servants." For the first watch is the earliest time, that is, childhood. The second is adolescence or youth, which according to the authority of sacred Scripture are one, as Solomon says: "Rejoice, young man, in your adolescence." The third, however, is understood as old age. Therefore, he who was unwilling to keep watch in the first watch should guard at least the second, so that he who neglected to turn from his wickedness in childhood may awaken to the ways of life at least in the time of youth. And he who was unwilling to watch in the second watch should not lose the remedies of the third watch, so that he who did not awaken to the ways of life in youth may at least come to his senses in old age. Consider, dearest brothers, that the mercy of God has enclosed our hardness. There is nothing left for a person to find as an excuse. God is despised, and he waits; he sees himself scorned, and he calls back; he receives injury from contempt of himself, and yet he still promises rewards to those who eventually return. But let no one neglect this long-suffering of his, because he will demand justice at the judgment all the more strictly, the longer the patience he extended before the judgment. For Paul says about this: "Do you not know that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But according to your hardness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God." About this the Psalmist says: "God is a just judge, strong and long-suffering." For about to call him long-suffering, he first said just, so that you may know that he whom you see patiently bearing the sins of transgressors for a long time will also at some point judge strictly. About this it is said through a certain wise man: "For the Most High is a patient rewarder." He is called a patient rewarder because he both endures and repays the sins of men. For those whom he tolerates for a long time so that they may convert, if they do not convert, he condemns more harshly.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 13(ubi sup.) The first watch then is the earliest time of our life, that is, childhood, the second youth and manhood, but the third represents old age. He then who is unwilling to watch in the first, let him keep even the second. And he who is unwilling in the second, let him not lose the remedies of the third watch, that he who has neglected conversion in childhood, may at least in the time of youth or old age recover himself.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBy "the second and third watch" you may understand different times of our life. I will explain with an example. Just as he who does not sleep "in the second and... third watch" is considered the most vigilant, for these hours of the night especially bring sleep upon people, and the deepest sleep at that: so understand, if you will, that in the various conditions of our life there are times which, if we are found watchful during them, make us blessed. Has someone seized your property? Have your children died? Has someone slandered you? If in such circumstances you were found watchful before God and Master and did not allow yourself to do anything contrary to His commandments, then He has truly found you watchful "in the second and... third watch," that is, in a difficult time, in which careless souls fall and fall asleep with the sleep of death.
Commentary on LukeOr since the watches are the hours of the night which lull men to sleep, you must understand that there are also in our life certain hours which make us happy if we are found awake. Does any one seize your goods? Are your children dead? Are you accused? But if at these times you have done nothing against the commandments of God, He will find you watching in the second and third watch, that is, at the evil time, which brings destructive sleep to idle souls.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
τοῦτο δὲ γινώσκετε ὅτι εἰ ᾔδει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης ποίᾳ ὥρᾳ ὁ κλέπτης ἔρχεται, ἐγρηγόρησεν ἂν καὶ οὐκ ἂν ἀφῆκε διορυγῆναι τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ.
Се́ же вѣ́дите, ꙗ҆́кѡ а҆́ще бы вѣ́далъ господи́нъ хра́мины, въ кі́й ча́съ та́ть прїи́детъ, бдѣ́лъ ᲂу҆̀бо бы, и҆ не бы̀ да́лъ подкопа́ти до́мꙋ своегѡ̀:
But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. From this preceding analogy, an exhortation is also implied when it is said:
On the Gospel of LukeBut know this, etc. Here thirdly he subjoins an incitement to watchfulness, which he introduces in this manner, namely by proposing a parabolic example and by concluding with the principal intent.
As to the first, therefore, he sets forth the parabolic example when he says: But know this, that if the householder knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch, namely for the guarding of the house, lest the thief stealthily carry something away.
Therefore he says: And he would not suffer his house to be broken into. And if he always held the hour suspect, he would never leave his house without a guard; otherwise he would manage the care of the household not wisely but foolishly. An example concerning Ishbosheth, of whom it is read in 2 Kings 4 that "Ishbosheth was sleeping upon his bed at midday. And the doorkeeper, cleaning wheat, fell asleep. But Rechab and Baana his brother entered the house secretly and struck him in the groin and fled." So also spiritually it happens to him who neglects to guard his house watchfully; whence Gregory says: "While the doorkeeper sleeps, Ishbosheth is slain, because when the solicitude of discernment has ceased, it opens a path for evil spirits to slay the soul." And therefore the spiritual man on the contrary says that word of Isaiah 21: "Upon the watchtower of the Lord I stand, standing continually by day, and upon my watch I stand throughout the nights"; and therefore 1 Peter, last chapter: "Be sober and watch, because your adversary," etc.
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12But to shake off the sloth of our mind, even external losses are brought forward through a comparison, so that through these the soul may be roused to guard itself. For it is said: "Know this, that if the master of the house knew at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly watch and would not allow his house to be broken into." For while the master of the house is unaware, the thief breaks into the house, because while the spirit sleeps from guarding itself, unforeseen death coming bursts into the dwelling of our flesh, and slays as if sleeping the one it found as master of the house, because when the spirit fails to foresee the coming losses, death snatches him unknowing to punishment. But he would resist the thief if he were watching, because being on his guard against the coming of the judge who secretly seizes the soul, he would meet him by repenting, lest he perish impenitent.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 13(ubi sup.) But to shake off the sloth of our minds, even our external losses are by a similitude set before us. For it is added, And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas(Hom. 13. in Ev.) Or else; unknown to the master the thief breaks into the house, because while the spirit sleeps instead of guarding itself, death comes unexpectedly, and breaks into the dwelling place of our flesh. But he would resist the thief if he were watching, because being on his guard against the coming of the Judge, who secretly seizes his soul, he would by repentance go to meet Him, lest he should perish impenitent.
Catena Aurea by AquinasIn the next parable also he makes a flagrant mistake, when he assigns to the person of the Creator that "thief, whose hour, if the father of the family had only known, he would not have suffered his house to be broken through." How can the Creator wear in any way the aspect of a thief, Lord as He is of all mankind? No one pilfers or plunders his own property, but he rather acts the part of one who swoops down on the things of another, and alienates man from his Lord.
Against Marcion Book IVSo then, it is necessary to be watchful. For we are like the master of a house. If he does not sleep, the thief cannot steal anything from his possessions; but if he is drowsy, the thief will take everything and leave. Some understand here by the thief the devil, by the house the soul, and by the master of the house man. However, such an understanding does not seem to fit the connection of the discourse. Here the coming of the Lord is likened to a thief, on account of its unexpectedness, as one of the apostles also says: "the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night" (2 Pet. 3:10).
Commentary on LukeSome understand this thief to be the devil, the house, the soul, the goodman of the house, man. This interpretation, however, does not seem to agree with what follows. For the Lord's coming is compared to the thief as suddenly at hand, according to the word of the Apostle, The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thess. 5:2.) And hence also it is here added, Be ye also ready, for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Catena Aurea by AquinasBe ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
καὶ ὑμεῖς οὖν γίνεσθε ἕτοιμοι· ὅτι ᾗ ὥρᾳ οὐ δοκεῖτε ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται.
и҆ вы̀ ᲂу҆̀бо бꙋ́дите гото́ви: ꙗ҆́кѡ, во́ньже ча́съ не мни́те, сн҃ъ чл҃вѣ́ческїй прїи́детъ.
What is the mark of a Christian? It is to watch daily and hourly and to stand prepared in that state of total responsiveness pleasing to God, knowing that the Lord will come at an hour that he does not expect.
THE MORALS 22Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. For while the master of the house is unaware, the thief breaks into the house: because while the spirit sleeps, neglecting self-guarding, an unexpected death comes, breaks into the dwelling of our flesh, and if it finds the master of the house sleeping, it kills. For when the spirit does not foresee future harms, death snatches it unaware to punishment. The master would resist the thief if he kept watch, because by anticipating the coming of the judge who secretly takes the soul, he would confront him by repenting, lest he perish impenitent. Our Lord wanted the final hour to be unknown to us so that it always might be suspected, and since we cannot foresee it, we may always be prepared for it.
On the Gospel of LukeThen he concludes the principal intention. And you also be ready, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of man will come. The Gloss: "The Lord always wished the last hour to be unknown, so that it might always be suspected, and we might always prepare ourselves for it." Hence Matthew twenty-four: "Of that day and hour no one knows" etc.; and First Thessalonians five: "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night"; and after: "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief"; and Ecclesiastes nine: "Man does not know his end, but as fish are caught with a hook, so are men seized in an evil time." So also those who do not prepare themselves: therefore it is said in Sirach five: "Do not delay to turn to the Lord, and do not defer from day to day: for his wrath will come suddenly, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy you." Hence Alcuin: "It is a dissolute thought to think of tomorrow's conversion and to neglect today's." And Seneca: "Every day of our life ought to be ordered as the last." On this account, therefore, so that we might always be ready, the Lord willed that we be ignorant of the hour of death and the day of judgment. "For nothing is more certain than death, and nothing is more uncertain than the hour of death"; therefore Sirach thirty-eight: "Remember my judgment; for so also shall yours be: yesterday for me, and today for you"; and concerning the hour of judgment it is said in Matthew twenty-five: "At midnight a cry was made: Behold, the bridegroom comes"; and after: "Those who were ready entered with him to the wedding, and the door was shut." Gregory: "O if one could taste with the palate of the heart, what wonder the bridegroom comes! holds, what sweetness they entered with him to the wedding! what bitterness, the door was shut!"
Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12Our Lord willed that the final hour be unknown to us so that it might always be regarded with suspicion, so that since we cannot foresee it, we might prepare ourselves for it without ceasing. Therefore, my brothers, fix the eyes of your mind upon the condition of your mortality; prepare yourselves for the coming Judge through daily weeping and lamentation. And since certain death awaits all, do not think about the uncertain provision of temporal life. Let not the care of earthly things weigh you down. For however great the masses of gold and silver that surround the flesh, however precious the garments in which it is clothed, what is it other than flesh? Therefore do not consider what you have, but what you are. Do you wish to hear what you are? The prophet declares, saying: "Truly the people are grass." For if the people are not grass, where are those who celebrated with us the feast of blessed Felix's birthday a year ago, which we celebrate today? O how many and how great were the thoughts they had about provision for the present life, but when the moment of death crept upon them, they were suddenly found in those circumstances they had been unwilling to foresee, and they lost all the temporal things at once which, having been gathered together, they seemed to hold securely. If therefore the multitude of the human race that has passed flourished in the flesh through birth and withered to dust through death, it was evidently grass. Since therefore the hours flee with their moments, act, dearest brothers, so that they may be retained in the reward of good work. Hear what the wise Solomon says: "Whatever your hand is able to do, work at it earnestly, for there will be neither work, nor knowledge, nor reason, nor wisdom in the underworld, to which you are hastening." Since therefore we do not know the time of coming death, and after death we cannot work, it remains that before death we seize the time that has been granted. For thus, yes thus, death itself when it comes will be conquered, if before it comes it is always feared.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 13(Hom. 13. in Ev.) But the last hour our Lord wishes to be unknown to us, in order as we cannot foresee it, we may be unceasingly preparing for it.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAnd here too, look how the Lord explains who the thief is. "Therefore be ready, you also," He says, "for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Some say that by those watching in the first watch are understood those who are more attentive than the rest, by those watching in the second watch — those who are inferior to them, and by those watching in the third watch — those who stand lower even than these. And others explained the watches as referring to different ages of life: the first to youth, the second to manhood, and the third to old age. Thus, blessed is he who at whatever age he may be found is watching, and not negligent with regard to virtue.
Commentary on Luke
AND when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Καὶ διαγενομένου τοῦ σαββάτου Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν αὐτόν.
[Заⷱ҇ 70] И҆ минꙋ́вшей сꙋббѡ́тѣ, марі́а магдали́на и҆ марі́а і҆а́кѡвлѧ и҆ салѡмі́а кꙋпи́ша а҆рѡма́ты, да прише́дшѧ пома́жꙋтъ і҆и҃са.
In the time of the old covenant, the sabbath was highly revered. Now under the gospel the sabbath has been recast, now viewed as the Lord's resurrection day. The sabbath formerly had pertained to the pedagogy and rudiments of the law. When the great master himself came and fulfilled them all for us, all that had prefigured his coming was transformed. The old sabbath was like a candle lit in the night before the rising and appearing of the sun.
HOMILIESAnd when the Sabbath had passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke, it is written that returning from the tomb, they prepared spices and ointments, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Therefore, the commandment of the law was that the silence of the Sabbath be maintained from evening to evening; and so the devout women, after the Lord was buried, as long as they were allowed to work, that is, until sunset, were occupied in preparing the ointments, as Luke writes. And because then, due to the shortness of the time, they were unable to complete the work, they hurried soon after the Sabbath had passed, that is, at sunset, when the permission to work had returned, to buy spices, as Mark recounts, so that coming early they might anoint his body. For neither did they wish to visit the tomb in the evening of the Sabbath, with the approach of nightfall already impending.
On the Gospel of MarkAnd Mark follows this, and says: "They had bought sweet spices, in order that they might come and anoint Him. And very early (in the morning), the first day of the week, they come unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun." For this evangelist also has used the term "very early," which is just the same as the "very early in the morning" employed by the former; and he has added, "at the rising of the sun." Thus they set out, and took their way first when it was "very early in the morning," or (as Mark says) when it was "very early;" but on the road, and by their stay at the sepulchre, they spent the time till it was sunrise.
The Epistle to Bishop Basilides, Canon I(ord. ex Bedâ.) For these religious women after the burial of the Lord, as long as it was lawful to work, that is, up to sunset, prepared ointment, as Luke says. (Luke 23:56) And because they could not finish their work from the shortness of the time, when the sabbath was over, that is, at sunset, as soon as the time for working came round again, they hastened to buy spices, as Mark says, that they might go in the morning to anoint the body of Jesus. Neither could they come to the sepulchre on the evening of the sabbath, for night prevented them. Wherefore it goes on: And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Catena Aurea by AquinasYou have heard, most beloved brethren, that the holy women who had followed the Lord came to the tomb with spices, and to him whom they had loved while living, they render service with devoted care even when dead. But this deed signifies something to be done in holy Church. For we must hear what was done in such a way that we may also consider what we ought to do in imitation of them. We therefore, believing in him who died, if we seek the Lord filled with the fragrance of virtues and with a reputation for good works, we indeed come to his tomb with spices. Those women see angels who came with spices, because those souls behold the heavenly citizens who set out toward the Lord with the fragrance of virtues through holy desires.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 21(Hom. in Evan. 21) But if we believe on Him who is dead, and are filled with the sweet smell of virtue, and seek the Lord with the fame of good works, we come to His sepulchre with spices. There follows: And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThe women were first to honor the risen Christ, the apostles first to suffer for him. The women were ready with spices; the apostles prepared for scourges. The women entered the tomb; the apostles would soon enter the dungeon. The women hastened to express their eulogy; the apostles embraced chains for his sake. The women poured oils; the apostles poured out their blood.
SERMON 79(occ. ap. Chrysologum, serm. 82) The women in this place run abroad with womanly devotion, for they do not bring Him faith as though He were alive, but ointments as to one dead; and they prepare the service of their grief for Him as buried, not the joys of heavenly triumph for Him as risen.
Catena Aurea by AquinasAfter the sadness of the sabbath, a happy day dawns upon them, which holds the chief place amongst days, for in it the chief light shines forth, and the Lord rises in triumph. Wherefore it is said, And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, had bought sweet spices.
Catena Aurea by AquinasThe women think nothing great or worthy of the divinity of Jesus, as they sit at the tomb and buy myrrh in order to anoint the body according to the Jewish custom, so that it would be fragrant and not give off an unpleasant smell from decay, and so that the body would be preserved unharmed by the power of the myrrh, which dries and absorbs the moisture of the body. This is what the women were thinking.
Commentary on MarkFor they do not understand the greatness and dignity of the wisdom of Christ. But they came according to the custom of the Jews to anoint the body of Christ, that it might remain sweet-smelling, and might not burst forth into moisture, for spices have the property of drying up, and absorb the moisture of the body, so that they keep the body from corruption.
Catena Aurea by Aquinas