Lesson — Sirach 44:16-27, 45:3-20
George Leo Haydock
On 44:3
In the. Greek, “ futurity by their predictions.” Kings, judges, and prophets are praised. (Haydock) — The virtuous are justly styled kings, Genesis xxiii. (Worthington)
On 44:4
The present. Greek, “the people by counsels, and by the knowledge of the office of scribes of the people. Wise in speech by their instruction. ( 5. ) Seeking out,” &c. (Haydock) — Prudence and eloquence ought to appear in a ruler.
On 44:6
In. Greek, “established in power, living,” &c., (Haydock) like Abraham, Ezechias, &c. (Calmet)
On 44:8
Born. Greek, “some of them have left a name,” (Haydock) or posterity, Deuteronomy xxv. 6.
On 44:9
Them. This may be understood of the wicked Israelites, or of the sons of Abraham by Agar, &c.
On 44:10
Mercy. Assideans, (1 Paralipomenon vi. 41., and 1 Machabees vii. 13.) or true Israelites.
On 44:16
Into. Greek, “a model of penance to past or future generations.” (Haydock) — The Latin fathers suppose that Henoch was translated to heaven, or to the earthly paradise. It is the tradition both of Jews and of Christians that he is still alive, and will come to oppose Antichrist, (Apocalypse xi. 3., Genesis v. 22., and Hebrews xi. 5.; Calmet) when he will preach penance, (Worthington) chiefly to the Gentiles, while Elias will address himself to the Jews. (Haydock)
On 44:17
A. Greek, “an exchange,” to save mankind, Genesis vi. 8., and viii. 21. (Calmet) — Noe[Noah] was perfect, (Worthington) which does not exclude some human failings. (Haydock)
On 44:20
Multitude. His name implies as much. (Calmet) — He was father of all who believed in Christ. (Worthington)
On 44:21
Faithful. He received the sign of circumcision, and was ready to sacrifice Israel. (Calmet)
On 44:22
In his. Greek, “that the nations should be blessed in his posterity.” — Dust. Literally, “a heap.” (Haydock) (Genesis xii. 2., and xxii. 17.)
On 44:23
Earth. In Arabia, and from the Red Sea to the Euphrates. This was verified in David, Psalm lxxi., and Genesis xiii. 14.
On 44:25
Jacob. The promises made to Abraham were confirmed to Isaac and Jacob. (Haydock) — These were also blessed in Abraham. (Worthington)
On 44:27
Men. The Israelites, ver. 10. Greek, “the man,” Joseph; though the Greek of the Roman edition would refer it to Moses. (Calmet) — Grabe corrects his copy agreeably to the Vulgate. (Haydock) Bible Text & Cross-references: The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Henoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 1 Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation. 2 The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence, from the beginning. 3 Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets, 4 And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words. 5 Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures. 6 Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses. 7 All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days. 8 They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related: 9 And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are born, as if they had never been born, and their children with them. 10 But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed: 11 Good things continue with their seed, 12 Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants: 13 And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken. 14 Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation. 15 Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise. 16 *Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations. 17 *Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. 18 Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came. 19 *The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood. 20 *Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the Most High, and was in covenant with him. 21 *In his flesh he established the covenant, **and in temptation he was found faithful. 22 Therefore, by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth, 23 And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. 24 And he did in like manner with Isaac, for the sake of Abraham, his father. 25 The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob. 26 He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes. 27 And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.
Gospel — Matthew 25:14-23
Origen
On 25:14
He travels, not according to His divine nature, but according to the dispensation of the flesh which He took upon Him. For He who says to His disciples, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, (Mat. 28:20.) is the Only-Begotten God, who is not circumscribed by bodily form. By saying this, we do not disunite Jesus, but attribute its proper qualities to each constituent substance. We may also explain thus, that the Lord travels in a far country with all those who walk by faith and not by sight. And when we are absent from the body with the Lord, then will He also be with us. Observe that the turn of expression is not thus, I am like, or The Son of Man is like, a man travelling into a far country, because He is represented in the parable as travelling, not as the Son of God, but as man.
On 25:14
Whenever you see of those who have received from Christ a dispensation of the oracles of God that some have more and some less; that some have not in comparison of the better sort half an understanding of things; that others have still less; you will perceive the difference of those who have all of them received from Christ oracles of God. They to whom five talents were given, and they to whom two, and they to whom one, have divers degrees of capacity, and one could not hold the measure of another; he who received but one having received no mean endowment, for one talent of such a master is a great thing. His proper servants are three, as there are three sorts of those that bear fruit. He that received five talents, is he that is able to raise all the meanings of the Scriptures to their more divine significations; he that has two is he that has been taught carnal doctrine, (for two seems to be a carnal number,) and to the less strong the Master of the household has given one talent.
On 25:14
Or, They that have their senses exercised by healthy conversation, both raising themselves to higher knowledge and zealous in teaching others, these have gained other five; because no one can easily have increase of any virtues that are not his own, and without he teaches others what he himself knows, and no more.
On 25:14
Or otherwise; When you see one who has the power of teaching, and of benefitting souls, hiding this power, though he may have a certain religiousness of life, doubt not of such an one that he has received one talent and hides it in the earth.
On 25:14
This servant seems to me to have been one of those who believe, but do not act honestly, concealing their faith, and doing every thing that they may not be known to be Christians. They who are such seem to me to have a fear of God, and to regard Him as austere and implacable. We indeed understand how the Lord reaps where He sowed not, because the righteous man sows in the Spirit, whereof he shall reap life eternal. Also He reaps where He sowed not, and gathers where he scattered not, because He counts as bestowed upon Himself all that is sown among the poor.
On 25:14
If you are offended at this we have said, namely that a man shall be judged if he does not teach others, call to mind the Apostle’s words, Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel. (1 Cor. 9:16.)
On 25:19
And note here that the servants do not come to the Lord to be judged, but the Lord shall come to them when the time shall be accomplished. After a long time, that is, when He has sent forth such as are fitted to bring about the salvation of souls, and perhaps for this reason it is not easy to find one who is quite fit to pass forthwith out of this life, as is manifest from this, that even the Apostles lived to old age; for example, it was said to Peter, When thou shalt be old, thou shall stretch forth thy hand; (John 21:18.) and Paul says to Philemon, Now as Paul the aged.
On 25:19
That He says of both these servants that they came, we must understand of their passing out of this world to Him. And observe that the same was said to them both; he that had less capacity, but that which he had, he exercised after such manner as he ought, shall have no whit less with God than he who has a greater capacity; for all that is required is that whatever a man has from God, he should use it all to the glory of God.