ACC ~ Matthew 12 v42

FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

ORIGEN: The church of the Gentiles, which in truth is gathered “from the ends of the earth,” fulfills the place of the queen of the south, not providing gifts in “perishable things, silver” and spices, but faith, the incense of knowledge, the outpouring of an offering, the sweat of the virtues and the blood of martyrdom. For with such gifts the true Solomon is pleased, who is Christ, “our peace.” [1] For “Solomon” is interpreted as “peaceful.” FRAGMENT 277. [2]

[1] Eph 2:14.

[2] GCS 41.1:124.

GREATER THAN SOLOMON

AUGUSTINE: It was nothing strange for Christ to be more than Jonah and to be more than Solomon, for he is the Lord and they are the servants. But who are those who looked askance at the presence of the Lord, whereas foreigners listened to his servants? SERMON 72A.1. [1]

[1] MA 1:56; WSA 3 3:281.

THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

ANONYMOUS: “The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it.” Although she was gentle and a woman, she was not deterred by the weakness of her sex from completing so long a journey. For the desire of wisdom gave strength to her weakness. But these men and priests, whose task it was to love wisdom, showed contempt for the wisdom placed on their lap before their very eyes. She hastened to Solomon. The Pharisees withdrew from God. She came to him that she might hear his unadorned words just once. They, seeing the very works of his divinity that day, blasphemed him. She, merely hearing of Solomon’s repute, desired to see him. They, witnessing the truth of Christ, walked away. She offered many gifts so as to hear him. But they did not want to receive the rewards of the kingdom of heaven in order to believe. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30. [1]

[1] PG 56:789.