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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace." It is more uncertain in what sense this was said. What then is its meaning? They are noble greaves, doubtless, with which he invests us. Either then he means this, that we should be prepared for the gospel, and should make use of our feet for this, and should prepare and make ready its way before it; or if not this, at least that we ourselves should be prepared for our departure. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He well proposes to us the greaves also. By this he speaks either of the need to be ready for the proclamation and preaching of the Gospel. For "beautiful," he says, "are the feet of him who announces peace" (Isa. 53:7). Or that we must be ready for our departure, living according to the Gospel. For feet are a symbol of life; therefore he also says: "walk carefully" (Eph. 5:15). …
Theodoret of Cyrus
Your footwear is not put on in order that you may walk about foolishly but to accomplish the course of the gospel. In this way you will receive the prophetic blessing: "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news."
Western Saints
Jerome
It is asked whether he says "the gospel of peace" to distinguish it from another gospel. Or is it rather the distinguishing property of the gospel that it may be called "the gospel of peace?" If anyone therefore has peace, he is shod with the gospel of Christ. With this footwear he is prepared to walk. Being prepared, however, he does well not to imagine himself already perfect. Rather he merely is prepared to press on and by pressing on hopes to arrive at the goal.
Thomas Aquinas
Second, he commands us to get rid of an excessive care about temporal realities. When we are too caught up in these, our feet are not ready to carry out divine pursuits and proclaim its mysteries. For this reason he says and your feet shod—understand by this that one's inclinations should be determined—with the preparation of the gospel of peace. As a symbol of this the Lord sent the Apostles (cf. Mk. 6:9) shod with sandals. …
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