ACC ~ Matthew 19 v30

THE FIRST WILL BE LAST

INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW: The synagogue had been first to be called to salvation, but it was enfeebled due to a lack of faith. Then the church, rising in the house of its father—that is, the law—out of the weakness of its sins ran to Christ and overcame its feebleness with faith. The church took from the synagogue the grace thus passed on. But the synagogue, driven more by zeal than faith, saw that the church had not only been cured of its sickness but also made the daughter of God by receiving the Holy Spirit, by which it came to Christ. As the apostle says, “Through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” [1] Thus the synagogue, which was the first to be called, was the second to believe. The church, which was the second to be called, obtained the first place of salvation with God. HOMILY 33. [2]

[1] Rom 11:11.

[2] PG 56:816.