ACC ~ Mark 9 v12a

RESTORING THE HEART OF THE FATHER TO THE SON

CHRYSOSTOM: Note the extreme accuracy of [the prophetic] expression. [1] He does not say “He will restore the heart of the son to the father,” but “of the father to the son.” [2] GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 57.1. [3]

[1] To which Mk 9:12 is a reference.

[2] Mal 4:5-6 (LXX): “And, behold, I will send to you Elijah the Tishbite, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes; who shall turn again the heart of the father to the son.” In the atonement, the cross turns the heart of God the Father to reconcile the lives of sinners whose lives are hid in the Son by faith.

[3] TLG 2062.152, 58.559.33-36; NPNF 1 10:352. As the heart of the Father was being restored to the Son by his self-giving, so the hearts of the apostles were being restored to the covenant.