Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsLuke 12
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Luke 12 in the BibleLuke 12:11
Be not careful.
◦ That the poor unlearned Catholic should not be discouraged, or make his excuse that he is a simple man, not able to answer cunning Heretics, nor to give a reason of his belief, and therefore must suffer or say any thing rather than come before them: our Master giveth them comfort, promising that the Holy Ghost shall ever put into their hearts at the time of their appearance, that which shall be sufficient for the purpose: not that every one which is convented before the Adversaries of faith, should always be endued with extraordinary knowledge to dispute and confute, as the Apostles and others in the primitive Church were: but that God will ever give to the simple that trusteth in him, sufficient courage and words to confess his belief. For such an one called before the Commissioners, saith enough and defendeth himself sufficiently, when he answereth that he is a Catholic man, & that he will live and die in that faith which the Catholic Church throughout all Christian countries hath and doth teach, and that this Church can give them a reason of all the things which they demand of him. &c.
- ◦ The Holy Ghost teacheth every unlearned Catholic to give sufficient reason of his faith.
Luke 12:14
Who hath appointed?
[1] Christ refused to meddle in this temporal matter, partly because the demand proceeded of covetousness and ill intention, partly to give an example to Clergy men, that they should not be withdrawn by secular affairs and controversies from their principal function of praying, preaching, and spiritual regiment: but not wholly to forbid them all actions pertaining to worldly business, specially where and when the honour of God, the increase of religion, the peace of the people, and the spiritual benefit of the parties do require. In which cases S. Augustine (as Possidonius writeth [2] ) was occupied often whole days in ending worldly controversies, and so he writeth of himself also [3], not doubting but to have reward therefore in heaven.
- 1 The dealing of Clergy men in worldly affairs.
- 2 In vita c. 19.
- 3 Li. de op. Monach. c. 29.
Luke 12:21
Rich to God-ward.
◦ He is rich towards God, that by his goods bestowed upon the poor, hath store of merits, and many alms-men's prayers procuring mercy for him at the day of his death and judgement, which is here therefore called treasure laid up in heaven, where the barns be large enough. The necessity of which alms is by Christ himself here shewed to be so great, and so acceptable to God, that rather than they should lack the fruit thereof, they should sell all they have and give to the poor.
- ◦ Meritorious works.
Luke 12:34
Where your treasure is.
◦ If the rich man withdrawn by his worldly treasure, cannot set his heart upon heaven, let him send his money thither before him, by giving it in alms upon such as will pray for him, and his heart will follow his purse thither.
- ◦ Alms.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Luke 12:8
Every one that confesseth.
◦ A Catholic man is bound to confess his faith, being called to account or examined by Jew, Heathen, or Heretic, concerning the same. Neither is it enough to keep Christ in his heart, but he must also acknowledge him in his words and deeds. And to deny Christ, or any article of the Catholic faith, for shame or fear of any worldly creature, hath no less punishment, than to be denied, refused, and forsaken by Christ at the hour of his death before all his Angels: which is another manner of presence and Consistory, than any Court or Session that men can be called to for their faith, in this world.