A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture

Top Highlights

“Nevertheless, the wisdom our Lord asks for does not come from study, however sacred, but from personal abandonment to him—to the Son who reveals more than the Law could ever give.” (Page 872)

“No matter how much stress others may lay on God’s absolute omnipotence or terrifying justice, the Christian owing to the spirit of Christ dwelling in his heart cannot but call out to God, first and above all, as his Father, 15; cf. Gal 4:1–7.” (Page 1064)

“Knowledge of the kingdom is a favour from God which, like all God’s graces, demands the co-operation of man if it is to be understood and to prove fruitful. The measure of understanding and fruitfulness is in proportion to the attention and goodwill with which the message is received. Those who make use of the knowledge they have received will be granted an increase. This teaching obviously has a special interest for the disciples who would have the duty of preaching to others.” (Page 913)

“In either opinion we are presented with an important lesson: suffering can be, not a terrifying enigma in our eyes, but something very precious, since it is the instrument God chose to redeem us, and we can make our sufferings serve in the cause of Christ’s Passion.” (Page 1135)

“But the force of the incident is this: that Peter and his fellow-disciples are to remember that the plan and method of that work are of God’s design. As in the capturing of fish, so in the capturing of men for God’s Kingdom, God’s way will be found at variance with human standards: a lesson Peter and the rest were very slow to learn. As for Jesus, so for his associates, absolute surrender to the will of God is required.” (Page 947)