Luke 2:14 — Community Reflections

LUKE 2:14 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests — the Gloria in Excelsis is the theological summary of the incarnation: glory is directed upward to God in the highest; peace is given downward to those on earth. Peace (eirēnē) is the messianic shalom — the comprehensive well-being of God's restored community. To those on whom his favor rests (en anthrōpois eudokias, among people of good will or of divine good pleasure) — the peace is the gift of God's gracious election, not the reward of human achievement.

Church Fathers on Luke 2:14

Lest the authority of a single Angel should appear small, as soon as one had revealed the sacrament of the new birth, straightway there was present a multitude of the heavenly host. Rightly has the attending Chorus of Angels received the name of heavenly host, seeing they both humbly bring their aid to that Leader mighty in battle, Who has appeared to put down the powers of the air, and also themselves by their celestial arms bravely vanquish those opposing powers lest they…
Bede · 8th century

Of old, indeed, Angels were sent to punish, as, for instance to the Israelites, to David, to the men of Sodom, to the valley of weeping. Now on the other hand they sing the song of thanksgiving to God: because He has revealed to them His coming down to men.
Chrysostom · 4th century

At the same time they also give praises because their voices of gladness accord well with our redemption, and while they behold our acceptance, they rejoice also that their number is completed.
Gregory the Great · 6th century

Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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