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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Theophylact of Ohrid
He speaks of tribulation because there are many who, when they are hard-pressed by their parents, or by some misfortunes, immediately blaspheme. And of persecution, on account of those who fall into the hands of tyrants.
Western Saints
Jerome
He comes, the wicked one, and snatches away what was sown in his heart; this is the one who was sown along the path. And as for the one sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. The wicked one snatches away the good seed. …
Gregory the Dialogist
Take care that rocky ground does not receive the seed and send forth the fruit of good work without the roots of perseverance. For many are pleased by what they hear and propose beginnings of good work; but as soon as they begin to be wearied by adversities, they abandon what they have begun. Rocky ground therefore lacked moisture, which did not bring what had sprouted to the fruit of perseverance. …
Thomas Aquinas
The second effect is to carry it through to action; hence James 1:22: be doers of the word and not hearers only. Now this effect is impeded by prosperity and by adversity. Concerning him who is impeded by adversity, he says: and he who was sown upon rocky ground etc. First, therefore, he sets down the beginning of the good; secondly, the occasion of evil, at yet he has no root in himself; thirdly, the evil, at and when tribulation arises etc. …
Translation