Sf. ep. m. Pancrațiu (sec. I-II).Ap Rom 7,14-25;8,1-2; Ev Mt 10,9-15.

7:14-25 THE WEAKNESS OF THE LAW
OVERVIEW: In Romans 7:15 and the following verses Paul describes the plight of persons who know that they are sinners but who cannot escape from the sins they commit. Most of the Fathers believed that here Paul was adopting the persona of an unregenerate man, not describing his own struggles as a Christian. As far as they were concerned, becoming a Christian would deliver a person from the kind of dilemma the apostle is outlining here. Romans 7:22 would appear to create a difficulty for those who believe that Paul was describing the unregenerate person, but some of the Fathers resolved it by saying that the inmost self was the rational intellect. As far as they were concerned, any rational person would automatically take delight in the law of God because it is supremely rational. The difficulty comes in trying to move from theory to practice. The dilemma of unregenerate persons is insoluble apart from the grace of God given to us in Christ. This sets us free from the law of sin and death and allows us to serve the law of God as right reason dictates.
Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew 10,9-15
10:5-15 THE MISSION AND INSTRUCTION OF THE TWELVE
OVERVIEW: The command to “go nowhere among the Gentiles” was given before the resurrection, whereas the command to “go to all the world” was given after the resurrection (JEROME). They were being sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, who raged against them with the tongues and jaws of wolves and vipers (HILARY). Jesus wished to offer the proclamation of the coming kingdom first to the Jews, and only then would it be offered to the Gentiles (GREGORY THE GREAT). The radical obedience of the apostles exhibits their greatness (CHRYSOSTOM). The deeds of the apostles make their words even more credible (JEROME). Whatever impairment Adam’s body had received from his encounter with Satan, Jesus empowered the disciples to wipe away through their sharing in his power (HILARY). We are to leave all things behind as we enter upon holy ground (JEROME). All treasure on earth is detrimental for this journey. The garment of Christ is all we will ever need (HILARY). You will be given food in due season insofar as you are worthy of it; you will be worthy of it if you ask for nothing beyond mere necessities (CHRYSOSTOM). Inquire in each town as to who is worthy, and stay with them (HILARY). History teaches us the radical precariousness of all political systems. Their ruins teach us that they are not to be loved (GREGORY THE GREAT).