ACC ~ Luke 2 v33 - 35

FOR THE FALL OF THE JEWS, THE RESURRECTION OF THE GENTILES

AMPHILOCHIUS: He is set for the fall of the unbelieving Jews, but for the resurrection of the believing Gentiles. “And for a sign that is spoken against.” The cross is a sign that is spoken against. Why? Because many who did not believe denied him at the cross. They ridiculed it both by deeds and words. They gave him vinegar to drink, offered him gall for his thirst, twisted a wreath of thorns to put on his brow, pierced his side with a spear, struck him with their hands, and shouted at him with offensive clamor: “He saved others, but cannot save himself.” [1] ORATION 2.8, ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD. [2]

[1] Mt 27:42.

[2] SSGF 1:175-79; CPG 3:64-67.

EVERYTHING ABOUT JESUS IS A SIGN THAT IS SPOKEN AGAINST

ORIGEN: Everything that the plain narrative recounts about the Savior is spoken against. The Virgin is a mother. This is “a sign that is spoken against.” “The Marcionites speak against this sign and insist that he was not born of a woman.” The Ebionites speak against this sign and say that he was born of a man and a woman in the same way as we are born. He had a human body.

There is still another “sign that is spoken against.” Some say that he came down from heaven. Others say that he had a body like ours, so that he could also redeem our bodies from sin by the likeness of his body to ours and give us hope of the resurrection. He rose from the dead. This is also “a sign that is spoken against.” How did he rise? Was he just as he was when he died, or did he surely rise into a body of a better substance? …

I myself think that even the fact that the mouths of the prophets foretold him is a sign that is spoken against. … It does not mean that those who believe in him speak against these signs. We know indeed that everything that Scripture records is true. But, for unbelievers, all things that are written about him are “a sign that is spoken against.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 17.4-5. [1]

[1] FC 94.72-73**.

THE SWORD THAT PASSES THROUGH MARY IS HER GRIEF

JOHN OF DAMASCUS: However, this blessed one, who had been found worthy of gifts surpassing nature, did at the time of the passion suffer the pangs which she had escaped at childbirth. When she saw him put to death as a criminal—the man she knew to be God when she gave birth to him—her heart was torn from maternal compassion and she was rent by her thoughts as by a sword. This is the meaning of “and a sword will pierce through your own soul.” But her grief gave way to the joy of the resurrection, the resurrection which proclaimed him to be God who had died in the flesh. ORTHODOX FAITH 4.14. [1]

[1] FC 37:366.

MARY REMOVES THE SWORD PROTECTING PARADISE BECAUSE OF EVE

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Simeon said likewise, “You will remove the sword.” Mary removed the sword that protected Paradise because of Eve. [1] Alternatively, “you will remove the sword,” that is, a denial. For the Greek says clearly, the inner thoughts of a great number will be revealed, that is, the thoughts of those who had doubted. For he said, “You will remove the sword.” Indeed, you too will doubt, because she thought that he was the gardener. [2] Mary wondered at his birth, it is said, and at his conception. She recounted to others how she had conceived, and indeed how she had given birth. Those who had doubted it were comforted by the wonderment of her word. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 2.17. [3]

[1] Gen 3:24.

[2] Jn 20:15.

[3] ECTD 67-68*.

THE SWORD THAT PIERCES MARY IS THE WORD OF GOD

AMBROSE: “And a sword will pierce through your own soul.” Neither Scripture nor history tells us that Mary departed this life by a violent death. For it is not the soul but the body that can be pierced by a material sword. This, therefore, proves that Mary was not unaware of the heavenly mystery: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” [1] God’s Word exposes the thoughts and intents of the heart, because all things are open and naked to the eyes of Mary’s Son, to whom the secrets of our conscience are visible. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.61. [2]

[1] Heb 4:12.

[2] SSGF 1:180; CSEL 32 4:74; EHG 60**.

SWIFT HEALING REVEALS THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO WERE SCANDALIZED

BASIL THE GREAT: “That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” means that after the scandal which happened at the cross of Christ to both the disciples and to Mary herself, some swift healing will follow from the Lord, confirming their hearts in their faith in him. Thus we see that even Peter, after having stumbled, clung more firmly to his faith in Christ. What was human, therefore, was proven unsound in order that the power of the Lord might be manifested. LETTER 260. [1]

[1] FC 28:231-32.