Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsLuke 5

English College of Douai–Rheims

Luke 5:3

One ship Simon's.

^◦ It is purposely expressed that there were two ships, and that one of them was Peter's, and that Christ went into that one, and sat down in it, and that sitting he taught out of that ship: no doubt to signify the Church resembled by Peter's ship, and that in it is the chair of Christ, and only true preaching.

◦ Peter's ship.

Luke 5:6

A great multitude of fishes.

^[1] Likewise by this significative miracle wrought about Peter's fishing, is evidently foreshewed what wonderful success Peter should have in converting men to Christ, both Jews and Gentiles, as when at one draught, that is to say, ^[2] at one Sermon he drew into his ship, which is Christ's Church, a great number of men, as he did now fishes: and so continually by himself and his Successors unto the world's end.

1 Peter's fishing.
2 Act. 2, 41. 4, 4.

Luke 5:7

Beckoned to their fellows.

^◦ Peter had so much work that he called for help and joined unto him the other ship, representing to us his Copartners in the preaching of the Gospel, and the conjunction of the Synagogue and the people of Gentility unto Peter's ship, that is, to the Church of Christ. Ambro. li. 4. in Luc. c. ult.

◦ Peter's coadjutors.

Luke 5:10

Thou shalt be taking men.

^◦ That all this aforesaid did properly mean Peter's travails to come, in the conversion of the world to Christ, and his prerogative before all men therein, it is evident by Christ's special promise made to him severely and apart in this place, that he should be made the taker of men, though to other he giveth also, as to Peter's cooperators and coadjutors, the like office. Mat. 4, 19.

◦ Peter's preeminence in fishing for men's souls.

Luke 5:19

Went up upon the roof.

^◦ A strange diligence in procuring corporal health of and by Christ: and an example for us of the like or greater, to obtain salvation of him either for ourselves or our friends, and to seek to his Church and Sacraments with what extraordinary pain soever.

◦ Zeal of souls.

Luke 5:20

Whose faith.

^◦ Great is God (saith S. Ambrose) and pardoneth one sort through the merits of others. Therefore if thou doubt to obtain forgiveness of thy great offences, join unto thyself intercessors, use the Church's help. which may pray for thee and obtain for thee that which our Lord might deny to thyself. Amb. li. 5. in Luc.

◦ The intercession of others.

Luke 5:24

The son of man in earth.

^[1] By which act ( ^[2] saith S. Cyril) it is clear that the Son of man hath power in earth to remit sins: which he said both for himself and us. For he, as God being made man and Lord of the Law, forgiveth sins. And we also have obtained by him that wonderful grace. For it is said to his Disciples, ^[3] Whose sins you shall remit, they are remitted to them. And how should not he be able to remit sins, who gave others power to do the same?

1 Priests do remit sins.
2 In catena S. Thomæ.
3 Io. 20, 23.

Luke 5:28

Leaving all followed him.

^[1] The ^[2] profane Iulian charged Matthew of too much lightness, to leave all and follow a stranger, at one word. But indeed hereby is seen the marvelous efficacy of Christ's word and internal working, that in a moment can altar the heart of a man, and cause him nothing to esteem the things most dear unto him. Which he did not only then in presence, but also daily doth in the Church. For so S. Antony, S. Francis, and others ^[3], by hearing only the word of our Saviour read in the Church, forsook all and followed him.

1 Forsaking all, and following Christ.
2 Hiero. in Mt. 9.
3 Athan. in vit S. Antonij. August. confes. li. 8. c. 12. Bonav. in vit. S. Francisci.

Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0