St. Thomas Aquinas (compiler)
Catena Aurea
Luke › 3:7–9 · Part 2 of 2
Compiled by St. Thomas Aquinas from attributed patristic excerpts. Speaker labels identify the quoted authors; not every statement is Aquinas’s own wording. English edition edited by John Henry Newman (1841–1845). Luke 3:7–9
CHRYSOSTOM. It is elegantly said, that beareth not fruit, and it is added, good. For God created man an animal fond of employment, and constant activity is natural to him, but idleness is unnatural. For idleness is hurtful to every member of the body, but much more to the soul. For the soul being by nature in constant motion does not admit of being slothful. But as idleness is an evil, so also is an unworthy activity. But having before spoken of repentance, he now declares that the axe lies near, not indeed actually cutting, but only striking terror.
AMBROSE. Let him then that is able bring forth fruit unto grace, him who ought, unto repentance. The Lord is at hand seeking for His fruit, who shall cherish the fruitful, but rebuke the barren.
Source: Catena Aurea (eCatholic2000)