ACC ~ Luke 5 v29 - 32

THE FEAST WITH LEVI AWAKENS HIS FAITH

AMBROSE: Then follows the spiritual calling of the tax collector, whom he orders to follow him not by steps of the body but by character of the mind. Matthew once greedily embezzled from fishermen the profits they earned from hard labor and dangers. When he was called, he abandoned his office, which was to rob others of their money. Yes, he left that shameful seat, to walk totally in the footsteps of the Lord with his mind. He also prepared a great feast, because he who receives Christ in the house inside him eats the finest foods—plentiful pleasures. So the Lord enters willingly and reclines in the character of one who has believed. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.16. [1]

[1] EHG 152**; CSEL 32 4:185.

ENVY AND FAULT FINDING MOTIVATE THE PHARISEES

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: But for what reason do the Pharisees blame the Savior for eating with sinners? Because it was the law to distinguish between the holy and the profane, [1] that is, holy things were not to be brought into contact with things profane. They made the accusation therefore as if they were vindicating the law. Yet it really was envy against the Lord and readiness to find fault. But he shows them that he is present now, not as a judge but as a physician. He performs a proper function of the physician’s office, being in the company of those in need to be healed. But no sooner had they received an explanation of their first accusation than they bring forward another, finding fault because his disciples did not fast. They wished to use this charge as an opportunity to accuse Christ. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 21-22. [2]

[1] Lev 10:10.

[2] CGSL 115**.

JESUS CALLS SINNERS TO REPENTANCE

BEDE: “I have not come to call the just but sinners” can also be properly understood in this way. He has not called those who, wishing to establish their own justice, have not been made subject to the justice of God. [1] He calls those who, being conscious of their weakness, are not ashamed to confess that we have all offended in many things. [2] In them too is fulfilled his saying that he had not come to call the just but sinners. That is, he does not call the exalted but the humble. He does not call those puffed up about their own justice but those showing themselves devotedly subject to the one who justifies the wicked. Such people, when they are converted, bear witness with a sincere heart that they must not be regarded as just, but sinners.

It is a pleasure to remember, beloved, … to what a height of justice the Lord fetched Matthew, whom he chose out of his tax collecting activities in order to increase for sinners their hope of forgiveness. The apostolic band into which he was incorporated teaches what kind of person he became. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.21. [3]

[1] Rom 10:3.

[2] Jas 3:2.

[3] CS 110:212-13.

TO RECEIVE CHRIST IS TO PREPARE A BANQUET OF GOOD WORKS

AMBROSE: People are hungry when Christ is absent and they lack the abundance of good desserts. Truly, one for whom his own virtue suffices for pleasure, who receives Christ in his own home, prepares a great feast. It is a spiritual banquet of good works, at which the rich people go without and the poor one feasts. It says, “The sons of the Bridegroom cannot fast while the Bridegroom is with them.” EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.19. [1]

[1] EHG 153**.