ACC ~ Matthew 14 v25
THE MIRACLE FORESEEN IN PROPHECY
CHROMATIUS: Who was able to walk on the sea if not the Creator of the universe? He, indeed, about whom the Holy Spirit had spoken long ago through blessed Job: âWho alone stretched out the heavens and walked on the sea as well as the earth.â [1] Solomon spoke about him in the person of Wisdom: âI dwelt in the highest places and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. I orbited the heavenly sphere alone and walked on the waves of the sea.â [2] David likewise declared in his psalm: âGod, your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters.â [3] So too Habakkuk noted, âThe raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice.â [4]
What is more evident than this testimony, what is more clear? It points to him walking on the water as well as on the ground. This is Godâs only begotten Son, who long ago according to the will of the Father stretched out the heavens and at the time of Moses in a pillar of cloud showed the people a way to follow. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 52.2. [5]
[1] Job 9:8.
[2] Sir 24:4-5.
[3] Ps 77:19 (76:19 LXX).
[4] Hab 3:10.
[5] CCL 9a:454-55.
THE FOUR WATCHES OF THE HISTORY OF REVELATION
HILARY OF POITIERS: In the meantime, however, the disciples are harassed by wind and by sea. Amid all the disturbances of the world, in conflict with the unclean spirit, they are tossed about. But the Lord comes in the fourth watch. For the fourth time, then, he will return to a roving and shipwrecked church. In the fourth watch of the night, the measure of his concern is found to be just as great. The first watch was that of the law, the second of the prophets, the third of the Lordâs coming in the flesh and the fourth of his return in splendor. But he will find the church in distress and beleaguered by the spirit of the antichrist and by disturbances throughout the world. He will come to those who are restless and deeply troubled. And since, as we may expect from the antichrist, they will be exposed to temptations of every kind, even at the Lordâs coming they will be terrified by the false appearances of things and crawling phantasms with eyes. But the good Lord will then speak out and dispel their fear, saying, âIt is I.â He will dispel the fear of impending shipwreck through their faith in his coming. ON MATTHEW 14.14. [1]
[1] SC 258:28.
THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE FOURTH WATCH OF THE NIGHT
CHROMATIUS: Let us focus on the meaning of this fourth watch in which the Lord comes to his disciples who were caught in the storm. The first watch of the nightâthat is, of the present worldâis understood to be from Adam to Noah, the second watch from Noah up until Moses, through whom the law was given. The third watch was from Moses up to the coming of the Lord and Savior. In these three watches the Lord, even before coming in the flesh, with the vigilance of the angels defends the encampments of his saints from the snares of the enemyâthat is, the devil and his angels, who from the beginning of the world plotted against the salvation of the righteous. In the first watch, protection is given to Abel, Seth, Enos, Enoch, Methuselah and Noah. In the second watch, to Abraham, Melchizedech, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. In the third watch, to Moses, Aaron, Joshua the son of Nun and, after that, to the other righteous men and prophets. The fourth watch marks the time when the Son of God was born in the flesh and suffered, the time he promised his disciples and his church that he would be eternally watchful after his resurrection, saying, âI will be with you even to the consummation of the world.â [1] TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 52.5. [2]
[1] Mt 28:20.
[2] CCL 9a:457-58.
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