ACC ~ Luke 12 v35 - 48

OVERVIEW:

“Let your loins be girded” echoes the careful instructions given to Moses and Aaron on how to eat the Passover: “your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste.” [1] We are not to take Jesus’ command literally but to recognize that these instructions are for a physical, mental and spiritual alertness (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Having loins girded with continence and lamps burning with good works (AUGUSTINE) is absolutely necessary, for we do not know when the Lord is coming (DIDACHE).

The first parable mentions the Lord’s return from the feast of heaven, for there is always joy at a festival, and he returns in order to serve us by girding his loins. The three hours of watch represent the three ages of a person—childhood, adulthood and old age—through which one is to remain watchful through repentance and faith. While the slaves girded themselves, the Lord girds himself (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Jesus’ table fellowship is marked by humble service. The mark of a Christian is to be prepared for the Lord’s coming at any time (BASIL THE GREAT).

Are the previous two parables directed toward the apostles or to all of Jesus’ followers? What is true for every Christian is true for the Twelve as disciples—and it is directed in a heightened sense to the Twelve as stewards and apostles, and to those who are called to be teachers of the church (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

Jesus describes the Lord’s unexpected return “on a day on which [the steward] does not expect and at an hour at which he does not know” to divide between the faithful and unfaithful steward (AUGUSTINE). Unfaithful stewards, neglectful of their duties, are worthy of utter wretchedness (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Feigned ignorance, however, is the greatest offense of all, for there is no refuge in the darkness of ignorance (AUGUSTINE). The danger is always greater for confessors than for those who live in ignorance; even confessors of the faith find it hard to be ready (CYPRIAN). Deliberate sins are worse than sins of ignorance. Make no mistake, these warnings are for disciples-apostles-ministers, and the severity of judgment on them is great (BASIL THE GREAT).

[1] Ex 12:11.

12:35 | Serve and Watch

THE TRUE MEANING OF LOINS GIRDED AND LAMPS BURNING

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: 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.” [1] Further on, the very wise Paul also says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall give you light.” [2] COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 92. [3]

[1] 1 Pet 5:8.

[2] Eph 5:14.

[3] CGSL 370**.

CONTINENCE AND GOOD WORKS

AUGUSTINE: What does it mean to gird the loins? It is to restrain lustful appetites. This is about self-control. To have lamps burning is to shine and glow with good works. This is about justice. He was not silent here as to why we should do these things, adding to his statement, “And you yourselves should be like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding.” When he comes, he will repay us who have restrained ourselves from yielding to what lust has demanded and who have done what love has commanded, that we might reign in his perfect and everlasting peace, free from the struggle of evil and enjoying the supreme delight of good. ON CONTINENCE 7. [1]

[1] FC 16:208-9**.

PREPARATION FOR THE PAROUSIA

DIDACHE: “Watch” over your life. Do not let “your lamps” go out, and do not keep “your loins unbelted,” but “be ready,” for “you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming.” Meet together frequently in your search for what is good for your souls, since “a lifetime of faith will be of no advantage” [1] to you unless you prove to be fully responsive to the very end. In the final days, many false prophets and seducers will appear. Sheep will turn into wolves, and love into hatred. With the increase of iniquity, people will hate, persecute and betray each other. Then the world deceiver will appear in the guise of God’s Son. DIDACHE 16.1-4. [2]

[1] Epistle of Barnabas 4:9.

[2] LCC 1:178-79**.

12:36-40 | The Readiness of Christian Slaves

CHRIST RETURNS TO SERVE US

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: We 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 92. [1]

[1] CGSL 371**.

THE THREE WATCHES CORRESPOND TO THE THREE AGES

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: We 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 92. [1]

[1] CGSL 372**.

JESUS REVERSES OUR EXPECTATIONS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: When 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 92. [1]

[1] CGSL 372**.

PREPAREDNESS THE MARK OF A CHRISTIAN

BASIL THE GREAT: 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 22. [1]

[1] FC 9:205*.

12:41-48 | The Readiness of the Apostle

IS THE PARABLE FOR ALL BELIEVERS OR ONLY THE APOSTLES?

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Blessed Peter, considering within himself the force of what Christ said, rightly asked which of the two was meant: the declaration referred to all believers, or only to them? That is, to those who had been called to the discipleship, and especially honored by the grant of apostolic powers? COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 93. [1]

[1] CGSL 374**.

ADDRESSED TO APOSTLES AND TEACHERS OF THE CHURCH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: What is our Lord’s reply? He makes use of a clear and very evident example to show that the commandment especially belongs to those who occupy a more influential position and have been admitted into the rank of teachers. “Who,” he says, “is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord will set over his household, to give the allowance of food at its season?” …

This is the simple and plain meaning of the passage. If we now fix our mind accurately upon it, we will see what it signifies and how useful it is for the benefit of those who have been called to the office of apostle, that is, to the office of teacher. The Savior has ordained faithful men of great understanding, and well instructed in the sacred doctrines, as stewards over his servants who have been won by faith to the acknowledgment of his glory. He has ordained them, commanding them to give their fellow servants their allowance of food. He does not do this simply and without distinction but rather at its proper season. I mean spiritual food, as is sufficient and fitting for each individual. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 93. [1]

[1] CGSL 374**.

THE MASTER WILL RETURN

AUGUSTINE: Many people abuse for their own impious purposes his tardiness in coming. The bad slave says, “My master is taking his time.” He starts beating his fellow slaves and getting drunk with the bad ones. His master will come on a day he does not know, and at an hour he is unaware of, and will cut him off. You see, it is the body of ministers and prelates who give their fellow slaves their food in due season. “He will separate him off,” it says. He has good ones and bad ones. “He separates the good from the bad.” “He will assign his portion with the hypocrites.” He will not do this to the whole ministry, because in it too there are those who are longing for the Lord to come. In its ranks are also to be found the group of which it is said, “Blessed is that slave whom his master, when he comes, finds so doing.” “He will come and separate him.” SERMON 37.15. [1]

[1] WSA 3 2:192-93**.

NEGLECTFUL STEWARDSHIP LEADS TO UTTER WRETCHEDNESS WITH UNBELIEVERS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He says, “Neglecting the duty of being diligent and faithful, and despising watchfulness in these things as being superfluous, he lets his mind grow intoxicated with worldly cares. He is seduced into improper courses, dragging by force and oppressing those who are subject to him. If he is not giving them their portion, he will be in utter wretchedness.” I think this and this only is the meaning of his being cut in two. “His portion,” he says, “will be with the unbelievers.” Whoever has done wrong to the glory of Christ or attempted to disregard the flock entrusted to his charge does not differ in any way from those who do not know him. These persons will be rightly counted among those who have no love for him. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 93. [1]

[1] CGSL 375**.

NO REFUGE IN THE DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE

AUGUSTINE: Now if those ignorant of the law are in a worse condition than those who know the law, how can this saying of our Lord in the Gospel be true? “That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make ready or act according to his will shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know and did what deserved a beating shall receive a light beating.” You see that this passage shows clearly a person who knows sins more seriously than one who does not know. Yet we must not on this account take refuge in the darkness of ignorance so as to find there an excuse for our conduct. Not to know is one thing; unwillingness to know is another. ON GRACE AND FREE WILL 3. [1]

[1] FC 59:256*.

EVEN CONFESSORS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

CYPRIAN: We must perceive and confess that the very frightful devastation of that affliction which has destroyed and is destroying our flock in great part has come about because of our sins. We do not keep the way of the Lord, nor do we observe the heavenly commands given to us for salvation. Our Lord did the will of the Father. Eager for our inheritance and advantage, following after pride, giving way to envy and to neglecting simplicity and faith, renouncing the world in words only and not in deeds, each one pleasing himself and displeasing all, [1] we do not do the will of God.

We are beaten as we deserve. It is written, “But that servant who knows his master’s will and did not obey his will, will be beaten with many stripes.” But what blows and stripes do we not deserve, when even confessors, who should have been an example in good morals to the rest, do not keep discipline? LETTER 11.1. [2]

[1] See 2 Pet 2:13-15.

[2] FC 51:29*.

THE SEVERITY OF THE LORD’S JUDGMENT

BASIL THE GREAT: When I consult the New Testament, I find that our Lord Jesus Christ does not absolve from punishment even sins committed in ignorance, although he attaches a harsher threat to deliberate sins. “And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not make ready or act according to his will shall receive a severe beating. But he who did not know and did what deserved a beating shall receive a light beating.” I hear something like this from the lips of the only-begotten Son of God and consider the anger of the holy apostles against sinners. I observe that the sufferings of those who have transgressed in even one particular are not less serious but rather more serious than those cited from the Old Testament. I then comprehend the severity of the judgment. Our Lord says, “To whomever much is given, much will be required of him.” PREFACE ON THE JUDGMENT OF GOD. [1]

[1] FC 9:47*.