And Jesus said unto him,
No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
All Commentaries on Luke 9:62 Go To Luke 9
Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
And Jesus said unto him, No Prayer of Manasseh , having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God, or, to carry on the metaphor, is fit to work in the vineyard of God. For as the ploughman who seeks to make his furrows straight ought to look forward and never back, so he who has determined to consecrate himself to God"s service, is unworthy to be Christ"s disciple and to be an heir of the heavenly kingdom, if he still has regard for the perishable possessions of this world which he has renounced and given up; and so Euthymius says, "He who follows Christ ought forthwith to give up all things, lest by averting his eyes from his leader and guide, he might again be entangled by the sight of those things which he has left." So also Titus , Jansenius, Toletus, and others.
Christ in this very remarkable verse points out the way of perfection, and endeavours to withdraw the man from his own anxiety for his friends and possessions, in order that he might give himself up wholly to God. Especially as there was danger lest, delayed in the disposal of his property, or impressed with the value of his possessions, he might change his purpose, and like many others, lose the hope of his calling. And again, there was no need of his presence, for his brethren and kinsfolk could divide his property without him.
Thus James and John , when they were called, left their father and their nets, and straightway followed Christ, S. Matthew 4:20. But on the other hand Elisha ( 1 Kings 19:20) was permitted to bid farewell to his father and mother, apparently because there was in his case little danger of his being forgetful of his call. Hence S. Basil saith (serm1De Baptism): He looks back who delays, however briefly, that obedience which is to be rendered at once and promptly to the call of God.
Hence of the cherubim we read ( Ezekiel 1:12), "They went every one straight forward: they turned not when they went." Whereon S. Gregory says the winged creatures, i.e. holy preachers, turn not as they go, because they are passing through earthly things to heavenly; and therefore no more return to these things which they have left behind. For to seek in heart and mind after better things Isaiah , as it were, to advance or go along a certain road. Hence S, Paul, Philippians 3:13-14: "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." And to the bride it is said, "Forget thine own people and thy father"s house," Psalm 45:10.
Hence also S. Augustine (serm7 De verbis Domini) says, "The east calleth thee, and thou turnest to the west."
Figuratively, says Bede, he putteth his hand to the plough, who by the Cross of Christ, as if by an instrument of remorse, wears away the hardness of his heart, and opens it to bear the fruit of good works. But he must not look back like Lot"s wife to the things which he has left, and if the follower of the Lord, who wishes to bid farewell to them which are at home, is worthy of reproach, what will become of them, who for no sufficient reason visit the houses of those whom they have left in the world? For the frequent looking back on the things which we have forsaken, by force of habit draws us again to our past way of life. For practice, by which habits are formed, is very powerful; and habits become a second nature, which it is difficult to do away with or change. For it rapidly returns to itself.
See also the copious explanation of Suarez, De voto, lib1. cap. ii.
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