Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Luke 7:45

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

A kiss is a mark of love.…He truly kisses Christ's feet who, in reading the Gospel, recognizes the acts of the Lord Jesus and admires them with holy affection. With a reverent kiss, he caresses the footprints of the Lord as he walks. We kiss Christ, therefore, in the kiss of Communion: "Let him who reads understand." … The church does not cease to kiss Christ's feet and demands not one but many kisses in the Song of Songs. …

Letter 62 ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

"You gave me no kiss; but she, from the time she entered, has not ceased to kiss my feet." A kiss is indeed a sign of love. And that faithless people did not give God a kiss, because they did not wish to love him out of charity, whom they served out of fear. But the Gentiles, once called, do not cease to kiss the footsteps of their Redeemer, because they continually sigh in love for him. …

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 33 ↗

Bonaventure

Second, he sets her above him with regard to the kiss, which was a sign of love, when it is added: You gave me no kiss, as a sign of love, according to the Apostle in the last chapter of Romans: "Greet one another with a holy kiss"; and the disciples kissed Paul, Acts 20. But on the contrary concerning this woman: whence is added: But she, from the time she entered, has not ceased to kiss my feet: in which is signified fervent love and persevering love. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 7 ↗