ACC ~ Luke 3 v10 - 14

LUKE THE PHYSICIAN APPLIES REMEDIES THROUGH JOHN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: St. Luke has introduced three groups of people that ask John questions—the multitudes, the tax collectors and the soldiers. Just as a skillful physician applies to each sickness a suitable and fitting remedy, so also the Baptist gave to each group, representing a mode of life, useful and appropriate advice. He told the multitudes to practice mutual kindness as they strive for repentance. In the case of the tax collectors, he put an end to unrestrained taxation. Then, very wisely, he told the soldiers to oppress no one but be content with their wages. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 8-9. [1]

[1] CGSL 73**.

NOT SERVING TWO MASTERS

ORIGEN: To say that the person who has two coats should give one to someone who has none fits the apostles better than the crowd. To understand that this command fits the apostles more than the people, listen to what the Savior says to the apostles, “Do not take two coats on a journey.” [1] Therefore, there are two garments with which each one is clothed. The command is to “share with him who has none.” This denotes an alternate meaning: just as we may not “serve two masters,” the Savior does not want us to have two coats, or to be clothed with a double garment. Otherwise, one would be the garment of the old man, the other of the new man. On the contrary, he desires that we strip ourselves of the old man and put on the new man. [2] Up to this point, the explanation is easy. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 23.2-3. [3]

[1] Mt 10:10.

[2] Eph 4:22-24.

[3] FC 94:98*.

TAX COLLECTORS WHO EXACT MORE TRANSGRESS THE HOLY SPIRIT

ORIGEN: “Tax collectors also came to be baptized.” According to the simple interpretation, he teaches the tax collectors to seek “no more” than the law commands. Those who exact more transgress not John’s commandment but that of the Holy Spirit, who spoke through John. …

We said all this to show that John taught the tax collectors. Among them there were not only those who collected revenue for the state, but also those who were coming for repentance and were not literally tax collectors. And others were soldiers who were going out to the baptism of repentance. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 23.5, 9. [1]

[1] FC 94:99, 101-2*.

MILITARY SERVICE COMMENDED BY JOHN

AUGUSTINE: If Christian practice condemned war in general, then the soldiers in the Gospel who asked how they were to be saved should have been given the advice to throw down their arms and give up military service entirely. Instead, they were told, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” LETTER 138. [1]

[1] FC 20:47.

FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE

AMBROSE: The Baptist gave a fitting response to each kind of people. To the tax collectors he said that they should not exact payment beyond what was appointed. To the soldiers, that they should not make false accusations or rob anyone, by which he meant that their pay was fixed, so that wanting to have more, they could not resort to plunder. These and other precepts are appropriate for all occupations, and the practice of compassion is shared. Thus it is a common precept that the basic necessities of life must be provided for all occupations, all ages and all people. Neither the tax collector nor the soldier is exempted, neither the farmer nor the townsman, neither the rich man nor the pauper—all are commanded in common to give to the one who does not have. Compassion is the fullness of the virtues and therefore the form of the perfect virtue is placed before all. Neither should they spare their own food and clothing. Yet the measure of compassion is maintained in relation to the capacity of the human condition, so that each does not take all for himself but shares what he has with the poor. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.77. [1]

[1] EHG 68**.