ACC ~ Matthew 4 v22

IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THE BOAT

CHRYSOSTOM: But note both their faith and their obedience. For though they were in the midst of their work (and you know how time-consuming a chore fishing is), when they heard his command they did not delay or procrastinate. They did not say, “Let us return home, and talk things over with our family.” Instead, “they left everything behind and followed,” even as Elisha did when he followed Elijah. [1] For Christ seeks this kind of obedience from us, such that we delay not even for a moment, though something absolutely most necessary should vehemently press in on us. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 14.2. [2]

[1] 1 Kings 19:20-21.

[2] PG 57:219; NPNF 1 10:88**. Obedience requires immediate response.

THE KINGDOM WORTH EVERYTHING

GREGORY THE GREAT: The kingdom of heaven has no price tag on it: It is worth as much as you have. For Zacchaeus it was worth half of what he owned, because the other half that he had unjustly pocketed he promised to restore fourfold. [1] For Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and vessel they had left behind; for the widow it was worth two copper coins; [2] for another it was worth a cup of cold water. [3] So, as we said, the kingdom of heaven is worth as much as you have. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 5.2. [4]

[1] Lk 19:8.

[2] Mk 12:42.

[3] Mt 10:42.

[4] PL 76:1093-94; CS 123:11* (Homily 2).

WHAT IS LEFT BEHIND IN DISCIPLESHIP

ANONYMOUS: Notice that Peter and Andrew are said to have left behind their nets, whereas James and John their father and a vessel. There are generally three things that each person who comes to Christ should leave behind: acts of the flesh, material goods, parents in the flesh. By leaving behind the fishing nets means leaving behind acts of the flesh; by leaving behind the vessel means material goods; by leaving behind their father, all parents. And notice that first they leave behind their nets, then their vessel and, third, their father. It is appropriate to leave behind worldly acts first, for they are particularly harmful to spiritual things. Second, worldly goods, for it is not as harmful to have something in the world as to do some act, though also to have is harmful. Last, one’s parents, for they too can be harmful, though less harmful than the riches and actions of this world. So they left behind their vessel, that they might become helmsmen of the church’s vessel; they left behind their nets, that they might no longer bring fish to the earthly city but people to the heavenly city; and they left behind a father, that they might become the parents of all spiritual beings. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 7. [1]

[1] PG 56:676.