Luke 15:20 (WEB)
“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Catechism · 3
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
“The process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father:” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 15:11-24.
The Dignity of the Human Person
“With the help of grace they grow in virtue (article 7), avoid sin, and if they sin they entrust themselves as did the prodigal son” — Catechism footnote: Lk 15:11-32.
The Seven Petitions
“Now, in this new petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and, like the tax collector, recognize that we are sinners before him.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 15:11-32, 18:13.
Fathers and councils · 52
Jerome
“…in celebrating the mystery whereby He represented His passion, orin proving the reality of His body is nowhere described as ministering to His appetite;who tells of purple-clad Dives in hell for his feasting, and says that poor Lazarus for his abstinence was in Abraham’s bosom; who, when we fast,bids us anoint…” — editor's note: S. Luke xv. 19–31.
Read the whole comment“I am the prodigal son who although I have squandered all the portion entrusted to me by my father, have not yet bowed the knee in submission to him; not yet have I commenced to put away from me the allurements of my former excesses.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 11–32.
Read the whole comment“So, too, when the prodigal son returns, his father receives him with joy.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 20.
Read the whole comment“Gladly does Christ embrace the prodigal son when he returns to Him; and, leaving the ninety and nine, the good shepherd carries home on His shoulders the one poor sheep that is left.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 20.
Read the whole comment“Yet, when he comes back to his father, the fatted calf is killed, a robe and a ring are given to him.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 11–24.
Read the whole comment“He will give you a robe, will put a ring upon your finger, and will kill for you the fatted calf.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 20–23.
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Augustine of Hippo
“Of which sort is that concerning the two sons of one man, the elder who tarried with his father, and the younger who went into a far country, which is narrated so much at length.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 11–32
Read the whole comment“A kind Father when Thou gavest, and kinder still when he returned destitute!” — editor's note: Luke xv. 11–32.
Read the whole comment“That son who said, “Father, give me the portion of the goods,” etc., wished to be his own master.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 12–20.
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Cyril of Jerusalem
“But the words, fell upon me we must understand in a good sense, that is “lovingly;” and as Jacob, when he had found Joseph, fell upon his neck; as also in the Gospels, the loving father, on seeing his son who had returned from his wandering, had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” — editor's note: Gen. xlvi. 29; Luke xv. 20.
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John Chrysostom
“For he who owed the ten thousand talents, though he had delivered himself from the danger by entreaty, yet again he prevailed not,and another on the contrary, who had before thrown himself away, afterwards had power to help himself in the greatest degree.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 13–20.
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Tertullian
“That prodigal son also the father’s patience receives, and clothes, and feeds, and makes excuses for, in the presence of the angry brother’s impatience.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 11–32.
Read the whole comment“That most gentle father, likewise, I will not pass over in silence, who calls his prodigal son home, and willingly receives him repentant after his indigence, slays his best fatted calf, and graces his joy with a banquet.” — editor's note: Luke xv. 11–32.
Read the whole comment“All chap. xv. after the 10th verse, in which is contained the parable of the prodigal son, he eliminated from his Gospel.” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
The younger son had despised his father when first he departed, and had wasted his father’s money. But when in course of time he was broken down by hardship, having become a hired servant, and eating the same food…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
He rightly returns to himself, because he departed from himself. For he who returns to God restores himself to himself, and he who departs from Christ rejects himself from himself.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But he returned to himself, when from those things which without unprofitably entice and seduce, he brought back his mind to the inward recesses of his conscience.
Read the whole comment - Basil the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
There are three different distinct kinds of obedience. For either from fear of punishment we avoid evil and are servilely disposed; or looking to the gain of a reward we perform what is commanded, like to…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
For the son who has the pledge of the Holy Spirit in his heart seeks not the gain of an earthly reward, but preserves the right of an heir. These are also good husbandmen, to whom the vineyard is let out. (Matt.…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But whence could he know this who had that great forgetfulness of God, which exists in all idolaters, unless it was the reflection of one returning to his right understanding, when the Gospel was preached. Already…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
After that he had suffered in a foreign land all such things as the wicked deserve, constrained by the necessity of his misfortunes, that is, by hunger and want, he becomes sensible of what had been his ruin, who…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
But he returned not to his former happiness before that coming to himself he had experienced the presence of overpowering bitterness, and resolved the words of repentance, which are added, I will arise.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
For he was lying down. And I will go, for he was a long way off. To my father, because he was under a master of swine. But the other words are those of one meditating repentance in confession of sin, but not yet…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
How merciful! He, though offended, disdains not to hear the name of Father. I have sinned; this is the first confession of sin to the Author of nature, the Ruler of mercy, the Judge of faith. But though God knows all…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
When he says, Before thee, he shews that this father must be understood as God. For God alone beholds all things, from Whom neither the simple thoughts of the heart can be hidden.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But whether was this sin against heaven, the same as that which is before thee; so that he described by the name of heaven his father’s supremacy. I have sinned against heaven, i. e. before the souls of the saints;…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Or by heaven in this place may be understood Christ. For he who sins against heaven, which although above us is yet a visible element, is the same as he who sins against man, whom the Son of God took into Himself for…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Or by these words are signified the heavenly gifts of the Spirit impaired by the sin of the soul, or because from the bosom of his mother Jerusalem which is in heaven, he ought never to depart. But being cast down,…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
To the affection of a son, who doubts not that all things which are his father’s are his, he by no means lays claim, but desires the condition of a hired servant, as now about to serve for a reward. But he admits…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
Now this prodigal son, the Holy Spirit has engraved upon our hearts, that we may be instructed how we ought to deplore the sins of our soul.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Who after that he said, I will go to my father, (which brought all good things,) tarried not, but took the whole journey; for it follows, And he arose, and came to his father. Let us do likewise, and not be wearied…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
For before that he perceived God afar off, when he was yet piously seeking him, his father saw him. For the ungodly and proud, God is well said not to see, as not having them before his eyes. For men are not commonly…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Now the father perceiving his penitence did not wait to receive the words of his confession, but anticipates his supplication, and had compassion on him, as it is added, and was moved with pity.
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NyssaCatena Aurea on Luke
His meditating confession so won his father to him, that he went out to meet him, and kissed his neck; for it follows, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. This signifies the yoke of reason imposed on the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
For what else means it that he ran, but that we through the hindrance of our sins cannot by our own virtue reach to God. But because God is able to come to the weak, he fell on his neck. The mouth is kissed, as that…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
He runs then to meet thee, because He hears thee within meditating the secrets of thy heart, and when thou wert yet afar off, He runs lest any one should stop Him. He embraces also, (for in the running there is…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Or running he fell upon his neck; because the Father abandoned not His Only-Begotten Son, in whom He has ever been running after our distant wanderings. For God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. (2…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
The father does not direct his words to his son, but speaks to his steward, for he who repents, prays indeed, but receives no answer in word, yet beholds mercy effectual in operation. For it follows, But the father…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
By the servants (or angels) you may understand administering spirits, or priests who by baptism and the word of teaching clothe the soul with Christ Himself. For as many of us as have been baptized in Christ have put…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Or the best robe is the dignity which Adam lost; the servants who bring it are the preachers of reconciliation.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Or the robe is the cloke of wisdom, by which the Apostle covers the nakedness of the body. But he received the best wisdom; for there is one wisdom which knew not the mystery. The ring is the seal of our unfeigned…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
That is, his working, that by works faith may shine forth, and by faith his works be strengthened.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Or the ring on the hand is a pledge of the Holy Spirit, because of the participation of grace, which is well signified by the finger.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Or he orders the ring to be given, which is the symbol of the seal of salvation, or rather the badge of betrothment, and pledge of the nuptials with which Christ espouses His Church. Since the soul that recovers is…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But the shoes on the feet are the preparation for preaching the Gospel, in order not to touch earthly things.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Or he bids them put shoes on his feet, either for the sake of covering the soles of his feet that he may walk firm along the slippery path of the world, or for the mortification of his members. For the course of our…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Or, the fatted calf is our Lord Himself in the flesh loaded with insults. But in that the Father commands them to bring it, what else is this but that they preach Him, and by declaring Him cause to revive, yet…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Rightly the flesh of the calf, because it is the priestly victim which was offered for sin. But he introduces him feasting, when he says, Be merry; to shew that the food of the Father is our salvation; the joy of the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
For the father himself rejoices in the return of his son, and feasts on the calf, because the Creator, rejoicing in the acquisition of a believing people, feasts on the fruit of His mercy by the sacrifice of His Son.…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
He is dead who was. Therefore the Gentiles are not, the Christian is. Here however might be understood one individual of the human race; Adam was, and in him we all were. Adam perished, and in him we all have…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
As then with respect to the condition of his sins, he had been despaired of; so in regard to human nature, which is changeable and can be turned from vice to virtue, he is said to be lost. For it is less to be lost…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Those banquets are now celebrated, the Church being enlarged and extended throughout the whole world. For that calf in our Lord’s body and blood is both offered up to the Father, and feeds the whole house.
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Cross-references · 3
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Luke 15:17–24 (6) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Theophylact of Ohrid on Luke 15:17–24 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Ambrose of Milan on Luke 15:17–24 (2) (Catena Aurea).