ACC ~ Matthew 10 v37

FAMILIAL LOYALTY AND LOVE OF GOD

JEROME: For he had previously said, “I have not come to bring peace but a sword.” [1] He adds that he has divided people against father and mother and relatives, so that no one will place familial loyalty before religion. He says, “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” [2] We also read in the Song of Songs, “He established love in me.” [3] We must preserve this order in all our relations. Love your father, your mother, your sons. If a time comes when love for a parent and for the children of God are in conflict and both cannot be maintained, then forthright rejection of your family may be a higher form of familial loyalty in relation to God. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.10.37. [4]

[1] Mt 10:34.

[2] Mt 10:37.

[3] Song 2:4.

[4] CCL 77:74.

WHETHER LOVE OF PARENTS IS COMPARABLE TO THE LOVE OF GOD

CHRYSOSTOM: He said this to bring fathers to greater gentleness and children to greater freedom, just at the point where love might be most tempted to hinder them. He bids parents not to attempt what is impossible by assuming that their love of their children can be rightly compared with their love toward God. He instructs the children not to attempt what is impossible by seeking to make their love of parents greater than their love of God.

Then lest his hearers should become riled or count this saying as too demanding, see how he turns the argument even further in a more drastic direction. For after saying “who hates not father and mother,” he even adds, “and his own life!” So do not compare love of God merely with love of parents, brothers and sisters and wife. If you are serious, compare it with the love of your very life. For nothing is dearer to you than your life. Yet if you are also not ready to give up this love, in all things you must bear the opposite lot. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 35.2. [1]

[1] PG 57:407; NPNF 1 10:233**.

LOVE YOUR FAMILY IN CHRIST

AUGUSTINE: Let a father say, “Love me.” Let a mother say, “Love me.” To these words I will say, “Be silent.” But isn’t what they are asking for just? Shouldn’t I give back what I have received? The father says, “I fathered you.” The mother says, “I bore you.” The father says, “I educated you.” The mother says, “I fed you.” … Let us answer our father and mother when they justly say “love us.” Let us answer, “I will love you in Christ, not instead of Christ. You will be with me in him, but I will not be with you without him.” “But we don’t care for Christ,” they say. “And I care for Christ more than I care for you. Should I obey the ones who raised me and lose the One who created me?” SERMON 65A.5. [1]

[1] RB 86:43; WSA 3 3:200.