ACC ~ Luke 6 v1 - 5

THE SABBATH IS OF THE FATHER’S MAKING

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “Behold, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.” [1] Our Lord had instructed them in advance and trained them in the truth of the just, so that whenever he dispensed from the law fully, they would not be alarmed. His Father had also dispensed from sabbaths to show that the sabbath was of his own making. He was also continuing to dispense from it that he might show that these were discerning remedies, proposed by the skilled physician for the pain which stretches from the sole of the foot to the head. [2] COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 5.23. [3]

[1] Mt 12:2.

[2] See Is 1:5-6.

[3] ECTD 106*.

THE ALLEGORICAL MEANING OF THE FIELD, THE CORN AND THE FRUIT

AMBROSE: The Lord Jesus begins to divest man [people] of the observation of the old law and clothes him with the new covering of grace not only through the understanding of words but also through the very usage and appearance of actions. Already on the sabbath, he leads him through the cornfields, that is, he brings him to what abounds in fruit. What the sabbath, the standing corn, and the ears mean to him is no small mystery. The field is this whole world, and the standing corn of the field is an abundant fruitfulness of saints in the sowing of the human race. The ears of the field are the fruits of the church that the apostles scattered with their works and on which they fed, sustaining themselves on our progress. The corn was already standing rich in abundant ears of virtues. The fruits of our merit are compared with these, because they also wither in a shower or are parched by the sun or soaked by the rain or shattered by storms or hoarded by the reapers in the storehouses of the blessed granaries. The earth has already received the Word of God, and the nourishing field sown with heavenly seed has brought forth abundant fruit. The disciples hungered for the salvation of humankind, and by the splendid miracles of their works they plucked as if from the husks of their bodies fruits of their minds to the light of faith. The Jews thought that this was not permitted on the sabbath, but Christ through the gift of new grace designated the idleness of the law as a work of grace. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.28-29. [1]

[1] :1–24:53 PRELIMINARY REMARKS | ON THE GOSPEL

THE SHOWBREAD IS THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Now although David acted contrary to what the law approves, he is rightly and justly esteemed by us as worthy of all admiration because he was truly a saint and prophet. Since the law of Moses expressly commands justice and does not consider the person being judged, [1] “how,” he says, “do you condemn my disciples while you still admire as a saint and prophet the blessed David, although he did not keep Moses’ command?”

There is clearly indicated to us by the loaves of the showbread the bread that comes down from heaven to be set upon the holy tables of the churches and all the furniture of the table. Bread used for the performance of its mystical service was a plain type of the divine treasures. Spiritually the bread signifies the twelve apostles, of whom we shall speak in due order when our comments reach the disciples themselves. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 21-22. [2]

[1] Deut 1:16.

[2] CGSL 121**.