Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Lamentations 4:2

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Let us implore the tears of Jeremiah; let him consider our death, and lamenting say: "How is the gold become dim, the most fine color is changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered at the head of every street." For the gold has become dim, because the life of priests, once bright through the glory of virtues, is now shown to be reprobate through the basest actions. The most fine color is changed, because that habit of holiness has come to the disgrace of contempt through earthly and abject works. …

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 17 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Here is exposed what was said above in Verse 1. So, "The precious Sons": since, as a kind of saints. And "worth their weight in fine gold." That is, of the best, like to wisdom. As Wisdom 7:9 says: "Because all gold is but a little sand in her sight and silver will be accounted as clay before her." Then: "How they are reckoned as earthen pots, the work of a potter's hands." Namely, the fragile and vile people. …

Commentary on Lamentations ↗