ACC ~ Acts 9 v40

GOD TAKES THOUGHT FOR THEIR SALVATION. CHRYSOSTOM: They did not perform all their miracles with the same ease. This helped them. For truly God took thought not only for the salvation of others but also of their own. He who healed so many by his very shadow, how is it that now he has to do so much first? There are cases in which the faith of the applicants also assisted. This is the first dead person he has raised. Notice how he awakens her as if out of sleep. First, she opened her eyes; then, at the sight of Peter, she sat up; then, from his hand she received strength again. Look at the gain, look at the harvest, but note that it was not for display. That is why he sent them all outside, imitating his teacher also in this. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

OPENING EYES AND SITTING UP. BEDE: A most perfect order in her rising from death, that she would first open the eyes of her mind, and then, on recognizing Peter’s voice, that she would sit up and receive the light of her discretion, which she had lost, and that she would live according to the teaching of those who had come to her aid. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.40.

AN ALLEGORY OF LAW AND GOSPEL. ARATOR: If we are rightly inspired, the renewed day of her soul is clearly suitable for allegory, [a soul,] turned back to the voice of Peter, which the darkness of exceedingly ancient peril had pressed down: the life burdened previously in the bosom of the dark law, rising just like a second [soul], stands up in the church’s presence, and the light of works, the companion of faith, drives away the shadows, a salvation that had not been promised by the voice of the law, because grace undertakes to give gifts of eternal life to those reborn in the font. ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.

THE MERITS OF MERCY. CYPRIAN: So powerful were the merits of mercy, so much did just works avail! She who had conferred upon suffering widows the assistance for living deserved to be recalled to life by the petition of widows. WORKS AND ALMSGIVING 6.

Acts