Luke 15:22 — Community Reflections

LUKE 15:22 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:”

But the father said to his servants, quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet — the father's commands interrupt the prepared speech: quick — the urgency of the welcome. Best robe: the finest garment in the house. Ring on his finger: the signet ring that restores authority and identity. Sandals on his feet: slaves went barefoot; sons wore sandals. The three restorations are the restoration of honor, authority, and status.

Church Fathers on Luke 15:22

The younger son had despised his father when first he departed, and had wasted his father’s money. But when in course of time he was broken down by hardship, having become a hired servant, and eating the same food with the swine, he returned, chastened, to his father’s house. Hence it is said, And when be came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, but I perish with hunger.
Gregory the Great · 6th century

He rightly returns to himself, because he departed from himself. For he who returns to God restores himself to himself, and he who departs from Christ rejects himself from himself.
Ambrose · 4th century

But he returned to himself, when from those things which without unprofitably entice and seduce, he brought back his mind to the inward recesses of his conscience.
Augustine · 4th century

Read all 38 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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