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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Western Saints
Jerome
On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great crowds gathered around him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. The people couldn't enter Jesus' house or be where the apostles were hearing the mysteries. Therefore, the compassionate and merciful Lord goes out of his house and sits by the sea of this world, so that great crowds gather around him and hear on the beach what they do not deserve to hear inside. …
Hilary of Poitiers
There is a reason why the Lord was sitting in the boat and the crowds were standing outside like simple followers: he was about to speak in parables. Jesus was therefore indicating that those who were outside the church were at a distance from being able to grasp his words of truth. For the boat symbolizes the church, and those who lie barren and fruitless outside like grains of sand are unable to understand the word of life put forward and preached.
Thomas Aquinas
And great multitudes were gathered together to him. Here he sets down the hearers: for when the mind goes out to public teaching, then many can hear and profit; Sirach 51:31: draw near to me, you unlearned, and gather yourselves together into the house of discipline. Next the disposition of the teacher and hearers is set down; hence it is said, so that going up into a boat he sat down. And why into a boat? …
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