“Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.”
Love. The progeny of God’s children brings forth the fruits of obedience and love. (Worthington) — Wisdom teaches every virtue. (Calmet) — This verse is not in Greek.
“Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:”
Seeking. Greek, “and hath confirmed the judgment,” &c. (Haydock) — God will revenge any disrespect shewn to parents. (Menochius)
“He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.”
Father. Greek, “Lord….mother (8.) and will serve them,” &c. (Haydock) — Though you may feed your parents, you are still much in their debt. (St. Ambrose in Luke ii., and xviii.; Exodus xx. 12., and Job iv. 3.)
“For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.”
Father. Greek adds, “and thy mother.” (Calmet) — Grabe marks this in another character, and substitutes “them” for him, ver. 10. — And his, &c., is wholly omitted. (Haydock)
“For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.”
Foundations. St. Augustine (City of God xxii. 8.) gives a memorable instance. The pagans deemed such curses most terrible. (Orpheus) (Genesis ix. 25.) — They are executed upon the wicked.
“My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.”
Thee. Boast not of thy superior talents, nor say any thing disrespectful.
“And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.”
A father. Greek, “mother.” Alexander [the Great] was ashamed of having Philip for his father, pretending that he was the son of Jupiter Ammon. His mother Olympias, with much ingenuity, wrote to him, that he would thus make Juno her powerful rival!
“In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.”
Fail. Bis pueri senes. They do not lose the character of fathers, how infirm soever, (Calmet) and those can never truly serve the invisible Deity, who despise their fathers, his visible images on the earth. (Philo; Decal.)
“He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.”
Sin. Or ill-nature. Greek, “instead of sins, (17.) a house shall be built up for thee.” (Haydock) — Thy family shall increase, Exodus i. 21. (Calmet) — Alms, prayer, and sacrifice for parents merit reward. (Worthington)
“The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord.”
Of. Greek, “Like a blasphemer is,” &c. (Calmet) — He who reviles his father, meditates blasphemy against the Deity. (Menander)
“Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.”
Meekness. Here a new subject begins. Goodness begets love. (St. Ambrose, Off. ii. 7.)
“For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.”
Greater. The dignity of a person should be the measure of his humility, (St. Ambrose, de virg. 31.) as the most elevated are the most exposed to pride. Humility is taught only by true wisdom and the gospel, Matthew xi. 29. Philosophy may inspire us with the contempt of riches, &c. (Calmet) — Yet humility is the most indispensable duty, and no less essential than delivery to an orator. (St. Augustine, ep. 118. ad Diosc.) — All human greatness comes from God, who requires us to shew our gratitude by humility. (Worthington)
“But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.”
In, &c. The mysterious nature of God and providence, cannot be comprehended: and in many things we must confess our ignorance. Life is often spent in idle researches.
“A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.”
Suspicion. Greek Complutensian, “their vain suspicion hath deceived many and their wicked thought has ruined their judgment. Not having the apples of the eye, thou wilt be deprived of light; and being ignorant, do not speak.” The latter sentence is marked by Grabe as wanting in his copy, as it is in the Vatican, if we may believe the London edition, (Haydock) which, however, is not an exact copy, no more than any of the other editions, of that famous manuscript. (Grabe)
“An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.”
Heart. Which fears neither God nor man. (St. Bernard, cons. 1.) — Those who have not shewn mercy, can expect none. (Haydock) — The impenitent see their folly, like Antiochus, when it is too late. (Calmet) — They have loved the danger, which shall overtake them, Proverbs i. 26. He seems to refute those who believed in fate, and would take no precautions. (Calmet) — Those who live in sin, tempting God to the last hour, generally perish. (Worthington)
“The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.”
Wicked. Greek, “hard,” obdurate in sin, like Pharao, Romans ii. 5. (Haydock) — Sorrows. Or crimes, as the word often implies, and the punishment thereof. (Calmet) — “Sin, by its own weight, leads to another, (St. Gregory, Mor. xxv. 12.) and while custom is not resisted, a necessity arises.” (St. Augustine, Confessions viii. 5.)
“Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.”
Congregation. The proud or obstinate sinner will take no advice, Proverbs xviii. 3. (Calmet)
“And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.”
Understand. Greek, “shall devise a parable, and the ear of the hearer is the desire of a wise man.” (Haydock)
Water, &c. He delights to instruct the attentive. (Calmet) — Resist. Greek, “shall expiate, or obtain pardon for sins,” Daniel iv. 24., and Luke xi. 41. “Alms-deeds are a sort of baptism, which may be often repeated” to advantage. (St. Ambrose, or. Max.) — “When we bestow any thing, it is not of our own, but the gift of Christ. We give bread….He, the poor, renders us the kingdom of heaven.” (St. Jerome in Psalm cxxxiii.) God becomes our debtor. (St. Chrysostom, hom. liii., and lviii.) — Our inheritance is secured. (St. Cyprian, de Op.) — But then charity and repentance must accompany our alms. (St. Augustine, City of God 21. ultra.[last chapter])