CHAPTER 21 VER. 18. _But there shall not an hair of your head perish._ "Because," says S. Gregory, "what was said about death was hard, comfort is added at once, from the joy of the resurrection, when it is said, 'a hair of your head shall not perish.' For we know that the flesh when wounded, causes... [ Continue Reading ]
_In your patience possess ye your souls._ Patience, therefore, is the possession of our souls. Firstly, because patience rules the soul and directs it in peace, and bends and influences it as it pleases. Secondly, because no one can keep the hope of a future life, as S. Augustine says, unless he hav... [ Continue Reading ]
_And take heed to yourselves, lest_ "the cares of this life absorb the mind and sink the faculties," says Euthymius, "and do not allow men to think about their salvation." "The cares of this life," says Titus, "debauchery and ebriety, deprive men of their senses, obscure their faith, and cause forge... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth._ As careless birds are taken craftily by snares, so in the day of judgment shall the men of pleasure be. 2 "As the snare strangles the birds, so shall the day of judgment choke sinners." 3. "As the snare always keep... [ Continue Reading ]
_Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand bore the Son of man._ The Arabic has, "That you may be strengthened in flight." _Stand before the Son of Man._ So Wisdom 5:1 "They shall stand with great constancy.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple; and at night He went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives._ Because olives abounded in it. Christ gave the day to preaching and to His neighbour, but the night to prayer, to Himself, and to God. Thus He gave very little tim... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all the people came early in the morning to Him._ The senses are in their vigour in the morning, and the morning therefore, as the best part of the day, is to be given to God.... [ Continue Reading ]