ACC ~ Matthew 11 v8

SOFT RAIMENT BELONGS IN KINGS’ HOUSES

JEROME: If the Lord had intended a higher meaning unfavorable to John, as many imagine that he did, in saying “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me,” why does he now speak about John with highest praise? Because the crowd that was present did not know the inner purpose of John’s question. They thought John doubted Christ, although he himself had prophesied about him. Now the crowd learns that John asked not on his own behalf but on that of his disciples. “Why did you go out into the wilderness?” To see a man like a reed who is blown about by every wind, a man so irresolute that he cannot make up his mind about what he himself previously predicted? Or else, perhaps he is pricked by the goad of his envy for me, and his preaching runs after an empty fame, and he covets the money he may get by it? But why should this man desire wealth for abundance of feasting? He feeds on locusts and wild honey. Or wealth to wear soft clothes? His clothes are made of camel’s hair. But people who are flatterers, and run after money, and covet wealth, and overflow with luxury and wear soft clothes—such people live in the palaces of kings. Thus it is shown that the austere way of life and the strict preaching must avoid the halls of kings and turn away from the palaces of the luxurious. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.6. [1]

[1] CCL 77:78-79.

A MAN CLOTHED IN SOFT RAIMENT

ANONYMOUS: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A man clothed in soft raiment?” A lover of present pleasure who gladly made use of the earthly goods of the present. Didn’t you see that his garment was of camels’ hair, and he wore a leather girdle around his waist? And his food was locusts and wild honey. Thus by the testimony of his own way of life, Jesus condemned the world and its goods; yet he remained steadfastly in the world. However, he entered the world not in order to remain in it himself but to challenge the idolatry of the world’s riches. Jesus was born in the world, but he turned aside from the goods of the world. Again, although he was born in the world, he did not remain in it as a sinner; instead, in converting sinners to righteousness, he freed them from the world. For this wicked world has many pleasures with which to seduce people. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 27. [1]

[1] PG 56:773-74.