Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aguinas
8:19–21
19. Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
20. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
TITUS BOSTRENSIS. Our Lord had left His kinsfolk according to the flesh, and was occupied in His Father’s teaching. But when they began to feel His absence, they came unto Him, as it is said, Then came unto him his mother and his brethren. When you hear of our Lord’s brethren you must include also the notions of piety and grace. For no one in regard of His divine nature is the brother of the Saviour, (for He is the Only-begotten,) but He has, by the grace of piety, made us partakers in His flesh and His blood, and He who is by nature God has become our brother.
BEDE. But those who are said to be our Lord’s brethren according to the flesh, you must not imagine to be the children of the blessed Mary, the mother of God, as Helvidius thinks, nor the children of Joseph by another wife, as some say, but rather believe to be their kinsfolk.
TITUS BOSTRENSIS. His brethren thought that when He heard of their presence He would send away the people, from respect to His mother’s name, and from His affection towards her, as it follows, And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. 44. in Matt.) Think what it was, when the whole people stood by, and were hanging upon His mouth, (for His teaching had already begun,) to withdraw Him away from them. Our Lord accordingly answers as it were rebuking them, as it follows, And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are they which hear the word of God, and do it, &c.
AMBROSE. The moral teacher who gives himself an example to others, when about to enjoin upon others, that he who has not left father and mother, is not worthy of the Son of God, first submits Himself to this precept, not that He denies the claims of filial piety, (for it is His own sentence, He that knoweth not his father and mother shall die the death,) but because He knows that He is more bound to obey His Father’s mysteries than the feelings of His mother. Nor however are His parents harshly rejected, but the bonds of the mind are shewn to be more sacred than those of the body. Therefore in this place He does not disown His mother, (as some heretics say, eagerly catching at His speech,) since she is also acknowledged from the cross; but the law of heavenly ordinances is preferred to earthly affection.
BEDE. They then who hear the word of God and do it, are called the mother of our Lord, because they daily in their actions or words bring Him forth as it were in their inmost hearts; they also are His brethren where they do the will of His Father, Who is in heaven.
CHRYSOSTOM. (Hom. 41. in Matt.) Now He does not say this by way of reproof to His mother, but to greatly assist her, for if He was anxious for others to beget in them a just opinion of Himself, much more was He for His mother. And He had not raised her to such a height if she were always to expect to be honoured by Him as a son, and never to consider Him as her Lord.
THEOPHYLACT. But some take this to mean that certain men, hating Christ’s teaching, and mocking at Him for His doctrine, said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without wishing to see thee; as if thereby to shew His meanness of birth. And He therefore knowing their hearts gave them this answer, that meanness of birth harms not, but if a man, though of low birth, hear the word of God, He reckons him as His kinsman. Because however hearing only saves no one, but rather condemns, He adds, and doeth it; for it becomes us both to hear and to do. But by the word of God He means His own teaching, for all the words which He Himself spake were from His Father.
AMBROSE. In a mystical sense he ought not to stand without, who was seeking Christ. Hence also that saying, Come unto him, and be enlightened (Ps. 34:6. Vulg.). For if they stand without, not even parents themselves are acknowledged; and perhaps for our example they are not. How are we acknowledged by Him if we stand without? That meaning also is not unreasonable, because by the figure of parents He points to the Jews of whom Christ was born, (Rom. 9:5.) and thought the Church to be preferred to the synagogue.
BEDE. For they cannot enter within when He is teaching whose words they refuse to understand spiritually. But the multitude went before and entered into the house, because when the Jews rejected Christ the Gentiles flocked to Him. But those who stand without, wishing to see Christ, are they, who not seeking a spiritual sense in the law, have placed themselves without to guard the letter of it, and as it were rather compel Christ to go out, to teach them earthly things, than consent to enter in themselves to learn spiritual things.
Saint Emmeramus of Regensburg
Saint Emmeramus of Regensburg, also known as Emmeran or Haimhramm, was a renowned priest and preacher in the region of Bavaria, Germany.
Feast Day September 22
Biography
Saint Emmeramus of Regensburg, also known as Emmeran or Haimhramm, was a renowned priest and preacher in the region of Bavaria, Germany. Born in Poitiers, France, he dedicated his life to serving God and spreading the teachings of Christianity. Little is known about Emmeramus' early years and education, but he was known for his exceptional piety and dedication to his faith. His reputation as a gifted preacher led to his appointment as the abbot of a monastery in Regensburg. Under his leadership, the monastery flourished spiritually and grew in reputation as a center of learning and holiness. Emmeramus' commitment to the well-being of his community did not stop at the monastery. Recognizing the importance of the pastoral needs of the region, he was eventually appointed as the bishop of Regensburg.
In this role, he tirelessly worked to strengthen the faith of the people, promote Christian values, and foster unity among the clergy and laity. However, Emmeramus' life was tragically cut short when he embarked on a journey to Rome, Italy. While traveling, he was murdered on the road, a victim of unknown assailants. It is believed that these attackers were nothing more than highway robbers, though some areas consider him a martyr due to the circumstances of his death. In depictions, Saint Emmeramus is often represented with a ladder and a spear. The ladder symbolizes his ascent to higher spiritual heights and his role as a guide for others seeking spiritual enlightenment. The spear is a reminder of his martyrdom, symbolizing the weapon that ended his earthly life.
Emmeramus' relics were enshrined in the monastery in Regensburg, Germany, where he had served for many years. Today, the monastery continues to venerate his relics, attracting pilgrims from near and far who seek his intercession and guidance. Although Saint Emmeramus was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church, he is honored as a saint in the pre-congregation period, which predates the establishment of the formal canonization process. His feast day is celebrated on September 22nd, a day dedicated to remembering his life, legacy, and the sacrifice he made while fulfilling his mission. Saint Emmeramus is regarded as the patron saint of Regensburg, Germany, where his memory is held in high regard. His example of faith, dedication, and selflessness continues to inspire believers around the world, reminding them of the importance of living a life devoted to God and to others.
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