ACC ~ Luke 10 v4 - 12

THE DISCIPLES ARE TO BE DEPENDENT ON THE LORD OF THE HARVEST

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: When preaching to people everywhere the Word that he spoke and calling the inhabitants of the whole earth to salvation, he requires them to travel about without purse, bag or shoes. They are to travel rapidly from city to city and from place to place. Let no one say that the object of his teaching was to make the holy Apostles refuse the use of the ordinary articles of equipment. What good or what harm would it do them to have shoes on their feet or go without them? By this command, he does wish them to learn and to attempt to practice that they must lay all thought of their livelihood on him. They must call to mind the saint who said, “Cast your care on the Lord, and he will feed you.” [1] He gives what is needful for life to the saints. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 62. [2]

[1] Ps 55:22 (54:23 LXX).

[2] CGSL 266-67**.

HERALDS, NOT MERCHANTS

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: He sent them two by two, in his likeness. He sent them preaching without a salary, as he had done. …

“Behold, I am sending you forth like lambs among the wolves,” to show that as long as the Shepherd was with them they would not be harmed. To encourage them, he said, “He who receives you, receives me.” [1] … He forbid them to take money for fear they would be considered businessmen and not announcers. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 8.1A, 1C. [2]

[1] Jn 13:20.

[2] ECTD 145-46**.

A GREETING OF PEACE IS TO BE GIVEN TO ALL

AUGUSTINE: Our Lord said to his disciples, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but, if not, it will return to you.” …

Since we do not know who is a son of peace, it is our part to leave no one out, to set no one aside, but to desire that all to whom we preach this peace be saved. We are not to fear that we lose our peace if he to whom we preach it is not a son of peace, and we are ignorant of the fact. Our peace will return to us. That means our preaching will profit us, not him. If the peace we preach rests upon him, it will profit both him and us. ADMONITION AND GRACE 15.46. [1]

[1] FC 2:301-2*.

NO GREETING LEST PERFORMANCE OF APOSTOLIC DUTIES HINDERED

AMBROSE: Consider it is not only “Salute no man,” but “by the way” is not carelessly added. When Elisha sent his servant to lay his staff on the body of the dead child, he also commanded him not to salute any man he met. [1] He ordered him to hurry to go in order to perform the office of proclaiming the resurrection, lest he be turned from the duty laid upon him by conversation with someone along the way. The zeal of greeting is not taken away here, but an obstacle to the practice of piety is removed. When divine commands are given, human obligations are surrendered for a little while. Salutation is fine, but the performance of duties to God is finer because it is more fitting. Hindrance of these duties has often brought offenses. Even honorable acts are prohibited, for fear that the grace of ceremony deceive and hinder the ministry of the task, delay in which is sinful. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.63. [2]

[1] 2 Kings 4:29.

[2] EHG 258-59**.

A SIGN OF VENGEANCE FOR THE UNREPENTANT

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “Shake off the dust of your feet” [1] shows that he will require vengeance on those who receive the disciples poorly. The disciples will throw back on these people that very dust which adhered to them from the path. They will return it back on them, so that these might learn that those who pass through their paths will return by them. Since these received the dust of the just, they will merit the vengeance of the just, unless they repent. Only their dust defiled them, not their mire. It will be easier for Sodom, [2] because the angels who went there did not perform a sign in Sodom but made Sodom itself a sign for creation. [3] …

Move to another city away from whatever town that does not receive you. If they persecute you in that one, flee to another. The Lord did not extend this word to everyone, but only to his disciples because it was the beginning of the new preaching, and these people were few. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 8.6-7. [4]

[1] Mt 10:14.

[2] Mt 10:15.

[3] Gen 19:1-29.

[4] ECTD 148-49**.