Lectio Divina – Quotes related to the 26th Sunday
Each week we post lectio divina aids in the form of quotes from the Church Fathers and other notable authors in relation to the Sunday Gospel. This week there quotes are in relation to the 26th Sunday in Ordinary time (year A).
Catena Aurea, Matthew 21:28-32.
St. Jerome (340/2-420): He speaks to the Gentile people first, through their knowledge of the law of nature; “Go and work in my vineyard;” i.e. “What you would not have done to you, do not do to others” (Tobit 4:16). He answers haughtily, “I will not.” But when, at the coming of the Saviour, the Gentile people, having repented, laboured in God’s vineyard, and atoned by their labour for the obstinacy of their refusal, this is what is said, “But afterward he repented, and went.” The second son is the Jewish people who made answer to Moses, “All that the Lord has said unto us we will do” (Exodus 24:3).
Origen (182-253/4): Whence we may gather, that in this parable the Lord spoke to such as promise little or nothing, but in their works shine forth; and against those who promise great things but do none of these things that they have promised.
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407): The Lord abundantly confirms their decision, whence it follows, “Jesus said to them, Truly I say unto you, that the tax collectors and prostitutes shall go before you in the kingdom of God;” as much as to say, Not only the Gentiles are before you, but even the tax collectors and prostitutes.
Origen (182-253/4): Notwithstanding, the Jews are not shut out that they should never enter into the kingdom of God; but, “when the fulness of the Gentiles shall have entered in, then all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:25-26).
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407): This He brings in because the Priests had asked not in order to learn, but to tempt Him. But of the common people many had believed; and for that reason He brings forward the parable of the two sons, showing them that the common sort, who from the first professed secular lives, were better than the Priests who from the first professed the service of God, inasmuch as the people at length turned repentant to God, but the Priests impenitent, never left off to sin against God. And the elder son represents the people; because the people is not for the sake of the Priests, but the Priests are for the sake of the people.