Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 12:44

Western Saints

Jerome

I will return to my home, from which I departed. This is, I will go to the Jews, whom I had dismissed before.

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

For it often happens that the soul in the commencement of its progress is lifted up, and prides itself on its virtues, that it opens an entrance to the adversary who is raging against it, and who shows himself the more violent in breaking into it, by how much he was grieved at being cast out, though but for a short space.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he says, 'I will return to the house from which I came.' From these words you can gather that if the devil is ever driven out of a person because he does penance, he does not leave him forever, for it is written of Christ that the devil left him for a time (Lk 4:13). From this we are given to understand that men should always be on their guard, lest he return. And this is why he says, I will return... And coming, he finds it empty. Here is presented the occasion for his second harassment. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗