ACC ~ Matthew 4 v25

WE TOO ARE CALLED TO FOLLOW HIM

CHRYSOSTOM: Now then, let us too follow him. For we also have many diseases of our soul, and these especially he would gladly heal. With this intent he corrects that other sort, that he may banish these out of our soul.

Let us therefore come to him, and let us ask nothing pertaining to this life but rather remission of sins. For indeed he gives it even now, if we come in earnest. Since as then “his fame went out into Syria,” [1] so now into the whole world. And they indeed ran together when they heard that he healed demon-possessed people. And you, after having much more and greater experience of his power, do you not rouse yourself and run?

But whereas they left both country and friends and family, do you not endure so much as to leave your house for the sake of drawing near and obtaining far greater things? Or rather we do not require of you so much as this, but only leave your evil habits, and you can easily be made whole, even while remaining at home with your friends. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 14.3. [2]

[1] Mt 4:24.

[2] 18.

THE LORD GATHERS HIS ARMY

ANONYMOUS: Every king about to do battle against an enemy king first gathers together an army, then goes off to war. So too the Lord about to do battle with the devil first gathers together his apostles and thus begins to preach the gospel of the kingdom throughout Galilee. The taking of the devil by storm is the preaching of truth; the deadly arrow in his heart is the speaking of righteousness. Overturning him is the work of signs. The stripping of his powers is the conversion of believers. An earthly king gathers together an army that by its efforts he may attain glory. The Lord gathered together his apostles not that by their efforts he might attain glory but that by his own effort he might win victory for them. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 8. [1]

[1] PG 56:676-77.