A Complete Teaching

Circuibat autem Jesus totam Galilaeam, docens in synagogis eorum, et praedicans Evangelium regni. Ex quo liquido perdocet quam sedulum oporteat doctorem esse in docendo: quia omnino pigritia praedicatoribus non expedit: sed ut circumeant non partem, sed totam, cui praeesse cernuntur, plebem. Neque praeoccupentur negotiis saeculi, sed doceant praesentium mandatorum doctrinam vitae activae subjectos, et praedicent de futuris vitae contemplativae perfectis; quatenus impraesentiarum hi erudiantur moribus, hi vero spe confirmentur futurorum majoribus documentis. Quia neque contemplatio sine operibus activae vitae a puero conscenditur, neque activa sine spe promissorum Dei perfectius consummatur. Et ideo fortassis circumisse Jesus dicitur docens ac praedicans, quia utrasque vitas appetere, non minus exemplo quam voce credentibus reserabat; ne siquidem paucis proficeret, verum ut sine acceptione personarum affluentem vocationis suae gratiam omnibus abundantur infunderet. Docebat autem non qualiacunque fabularum portenta, sed summa ac divina, ne suis falsa antiquorum videretur introducere figmenta. Unde et signanter, quod Evangelium regni doceret illico subinfertur. Regni quippe dicitur Evangelium, quia suos quos modo spe jam regnare concedit, in futuro simul reges et regnum Deo rebus adeptis facit; dum quidquid spe veniae nunc credentibus repromittit, muneribus gratiae adimplebit. Sanctus Paschasius Radbertus Corbeiensis, Expositio In Evangelium Matthaei Liber III Source: Migne PL 120.212a-c

'Jesus went around the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom.' 1   By which is clearly taught how diligent a teacher should be in his teaching, because sloth does not benefit a preacher at all, and so they should go around not merely a part, but all the people they are seen to have charge of. Nor should they be preoccupied with worldly affairs, but they should teach their charges the present commands for the active life and preach for the future perfection of the contemplative life, that to the extent they are educated by present conduct so they are strengthened in hope with the strong witness of future things. Because neither contemplation without the works of the active life lifts one from immaturity, nor does activity without hope in the promises of God lead to perfection. And therefore it is likely said that Jesus went around teaching and preaching, because He was exhibiting to believers the need to seek both lives, and not less by example than with the voice; for it would have been of little benefit if without reception of persons He had abundantly poured out the rich grace of his calling. For He does not teach in any way as do the bizarre things in fables, but things which are greatest and divine, lest it seem that He brings to them the false fantasies of the ancients. Whence we note that it is added that He taught the Gospel of the kingdom. Certainly He teaches the Gospel of the kingdom, because now He gives the rule in hope to those who in the future shall be made kings in the kingdom of heaven on account of things done, as whatever He has promised now to believers with the gift of forgiveness He fulfills with the gifts of grace. Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Commentary On The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Book 3 1 Mt 4.23