ACC ~ Matthew 19 v29

A HUNDREDFOLD HARVEST

HILARY OF POITIERS: They followed him in the washing of baptism, the sanctification of the faith, in the adoption of the inheritance and in the resurrection from the dead. For this is that regeneration that the apostles received and that the law could not grant. It joined them together above the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, to the glory of the twelve patriarchs. To others following him in scorn of the secular world, he promises the abundance of hundredfold harvests. This hundredfold harvest is the same as that which is filled with heavenly joy at the hundredth sheep. [1] This hundredfold harvest is that which the fruitfulness of the perfected earth will provide. This honor was also destined to the church in Sarah’s name. [2] This honor will be merited through the loss of the law and the faith of the gospel. And thus he says that the first are to be made from the last because the last are made from the first. ON MATTHEW 20.4. [3]

[1] Lk 15:3-7.

[2] Gen 17:16.

[3] SC 258:106.

ETERNAL SPIRITUAL JOYS

THEODORE OF HERACLEA: “A hundredfold” means that which is incomparably better as regards the future in heaven. When Mark says he will receive a hundredfold “in this age,” [1] we should understand him as speaking about spiritual joys far exceeding earthly ones, inasmuch as they are pledges of future blessings. FRAGMENT 107. [2]

[1] Mk 10:30.

[2] MKGK 87.

RECEIVING THE SPIRITUAL

JEROME: So the meaning is this: He who has given up the carnal for the Savior will receive the spiritual. In comparison and merit this will be as if a small number were compared with a number in the hundreds. Hence the apostle, who had given up only a house and his small provincial fields, also says, “As having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” [1] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 3.19.30. [2]

[1] 2 Cor 6:10.

[2] CCL 77:173.

EVERYONE WHO HAS LEFT ALL

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: So that no one should think that what was said applied only to the disciples, he extended the words to cover all those doing likewise. The rest might not receive the same as the disciples; yet instead of their relatives of the flesh they will have kinship with God and fraternity with the saints. In fact, he means the older men and women of the church, who were, as it were, relatives through love, beloved from disposition, who loved them much more than their relatives of the flesh. They also received money from them to spend as they wished, while the future treasures were laid up in store for them. Instead of their fields they will receive paradise. They will receive paradise instead of their fields. They will receive Jerusalem above, the mother of their firstborn, in place of their houses built of stone. FRAGMENT 221. [1]

[1] MKGK 227.