Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 12:42

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Now to the courageous rightly belong the great and difficult of God's holy commandments, but to those who have not yet attained to such virtue, belong those things from which all difficulty is excluded. Our Lord therefore uses a very obvious example, to show that the above-mentioned command is suited to those who have been admitted into the rank of disciples, for it follows, And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward?

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The above-mentioned parable relates to all the faithful in common, but now hear what suits the Apostles and teachers. For I ask, where will be found the steward, that possesses in himself faithfulness and wisdom? for as in the management of goods, whether a man be careless yet faithful to his master, or else wise yet unfaithful, the things of the master perish; so also in the things of God there is need of faithfulness and wisdom. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Now he says portion, because of suiting His measure to the capacity of his several hearers.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

The Lord said: Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord shall make ruler over his household? Answering the questions of the Savior, he first teaches that judgment is present for all, and that individuals will receive rewards or punishments according to the merit of their work and the capacity of their understanding. Then, in addressing what was especially asked, he shows that the grace of virtues which he brought to the world is to be pursued by each as much as they can. …

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

To this question of Peter, the Lord does not seem to respond on the surface; but if one attends more deeply, He responds perfectly, intimating that the aforementioned parable about vigilance pertains commonly to all, but specially to prelates, when He says: And the Lord said: Who, do you think, is the faithful and prudent steward? Stewards he calls prelates: First Corinthians 4: "Let a man so account of us as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God," etc. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12 ↗