ACC ~ Luke 12 v54 - 59

OVERVIEW:

What was foretold in the law has now dawned in the mystery of Christ’s passion as the Lamb who is sacrificed for the salvation of all (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). It is also a strong warning to act accordingly (BASIL THE GREAT). If one does not make peace on the way and become freed from one’s adversary, then one will be judged and thrown into a prison out of which he will never gain release. What one does in this life determines the verdict of the judge, who is Christ (ORIGEN), when life is over (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). If we have debts, no matter how small or large, the judge delivers us over to the debt collectors who are now our masters, and we cannot be set free unless we have paid the debt that we owe. Only Jesus has the power to forgive us our debts, no matter how large or small, for without his forgiveness we are powerless to be released from our debts (ORIGEN). The Word of God is our opponent if we commit a sin (AUGUSTINE).

12:54-56 | Signs of the Times

SIGNS FROM THE LAW POINT TO THE DAWN OF THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps. [1] We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, “Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come.” [2] As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95. [3]

[1] Ex 12:6.

[2] Song 2:10-12.

[3] CGSL 381-82**.

12:57-59 | Appearing Before the Judge

READ THE SIGNS

BASIL THE GREAT: Having recognized the nature of this present time from the signs revealed to us by the Scriptures, we should dispose our affairs accordingly. THE MORALS 17. [1]

[1] FC 9:93*.

THE JUDGE IS CHRIST

ORIGEN: Who do you think that judge is? I do not know any other judge besides our Lord Jesus Christ. Of him Scripture says elsewhere, “He will put the sheep on the right, but the goats on the left.” [1] “Whoever confesses me before others, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. Whoever denies me before others, I will deny him before my Father who is in heaven.” [2] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 35.10. [3]

[1] Mt 25:33.

[2] Mt 10:32-33.

[3] FC 94:147*.

THE JUDGE’S VERDICT DEPENDENT ON THIS LIFE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He has shown that it is our duty to be watchful in seeking to be delivered quickly from our sins and to escape from blame before we arrive at the end of our natural lives. …

Without exception, all of us on earth are guilty of offenses. Wicked Satan has a lawsuit against us and accuses us, because he is the enemy and the exactor. [1] While we are on the way, before we have arrived at the end of our present life, let us deliver ourselves from him. Let us do away with the offenses of which we have been guilty. Let us close his mouth. Let us seize the grace that is by Christ that frees us from all debt and penalty and delivers us from fear and torment. Let us fear that if our impurity is not cleansed away, we will be carried before the judge and given over to the exactors, the tormentors, from whose cruelty no one can escape. They will exact vengeance for every fault, whether it is great or small. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95. [2]

[1] Ps 8:2 (8:3 LXX).

[2] CGSL 383**.

OUR DEBTS AND OUR DEBT COLLECTORS

ORIGEN: Each one of us incurs a penalty for each single sin, and the size of the penalty is according to the quality and nature of the offense. I should show some testimony from the Scriptures about the penalty and monetary fines. One man incurs a debt of five hundred denarii and owes that much. Another is obliged to pay fifty denarii. The creditor cancels these debts for both debtors. “Another one,” as the Scripture says, “is brought forward, who owed ten thousand talents.” [1] He is obliged to pay ten thousand talents. …

The debt collector comes to claim his due. I resist him. I know that if I owe nothing, he has no power over me. If I am a debtor, the debt collector will send me to prison, fulfilling the order of which we have spoken. The enemy brings me to the ruler, and the ruler to the judge. The judge will hand me over to the debt collector, and the debt collector will put me in prison. What law governs that prison? I will not come out of it, nor will the debt collector allow me to go out, unless I have paid every debt. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 35.10, 13. [2]

[1] Lk 7:41-42.

[2] FC 94:147-49**.

ONLY JESUS CAN FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS

ORIGEN: The debt collector does not have the power to cancel for me even a penny of the debt or the smallest portion of it. Only one can cancel a debt when the debtors are unable to pity their debts. Scripture says, “One man came to him who owed five hundred denarii, and another who owed fifty. Since they did not have the money to pay him, he forgave both of them.” [1] He who forgave was the Lord. He who collects debts is not the Lord but one whom the Lord assigns to collect debts.

You were not worthy to have a debt of five hundred denarii, or fifty, canceled. You did not deserve to hear, “Your offenses are forgiven you.” [2] You will be sent to prison, and there you will have payment exacted by labor and work or by punishments and torture. You will not get out unless you have paid the penny and the “last farthing,” which in Greek means “meager amount.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 35.13-14. [3]

[1] Lk 7:41-42.

[2] Lk 7:48.

[3] FC 94:149*.

IF YOU SIN, YOUR ADVERSARY IS THE WORD OF GOD

AUGUSTINE: Let us try to find out who is the opponent with whom we should agree, fearing that he might deliver us to the judge, and the judge deliver us to the officer. Let us try to find him and be in agreement with him. If you are committing a sin, your adversary is the word of God. For instance, perhaps you may like to get drunk. It says to you, “Do not do that.” You may like to frequent the circus and indulge in frivolities. It says to you, “Do not do that.” You may like to commit adultery. The word of God says to you, “Do not do it.” In whatever sins you wish to follow your own will, it says to you, “Do not do that.” It is the enemy of your will until it becomes the assurance of your salvation. Oh, what an honest and helpful enemy! SERMON 109.3. [1]

[1] FC 11:297-98**.