Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 9:48

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Hence it follows, And he says unto them, Whosoever shall receive a child in my name, receiveth me. As if He were to say, Seeing that there is one and the same reward to those that honour the saints, whether perchance such an one be the least, or one distinguished for honours and glory, for in him is Christ received, how vain is it to seek to have the preeminence? …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Cyprian

And therefore, beloved brethren, the Lord, taking thought for this risk, that none should fall into the snare of death through jealousy of his brother, when His disciples asked Him which among them should be the greatest, said, "Who soever shall be least among you all, the same shall be great." He cut off all envy by His reply. He plucked out and tore away every cause anti matter of gnawing envy. A disciple of Christ must not be jealous, must not be envious. …

Treatise X On Jealousy and Envy ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

For he who receives the followers of Christ, receives Christ; and he who receives the image of God, receives God; but because we cannot see the image of God, it has been made present to us by the incarnation of the Word, that the divine nature which is above us, may be reconciled to us.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

Now herein He either teaches, that the poor of Christ are to be received by those who wish to be greater simply for His honour, or He persuades men that they are children in malice. Hence when He said, Whoever shall receive that child, he adds, in my name; that in truth they may pursue with diligence and reason for Christ's name that form of virtue which the child observes, with only nature for its guide. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bonaventure

And he indicates this when he adds: And he said to them: Whoever receives this child in my name, receives me: in which he shows that he has such great affection for the little ones and the humble that what is done for them he considers done for himself: whence, in Matthew twenty-five, he will say at the judgment: "What you did for one of the least of mine, you did for me." For he accepts such ones above all, according to that word of the Psalm: "The Lord is on high and regards the lowly"; and according to that word of Isaiah …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 9 ↗