Hay And Grass

Qui producit in montibus fenum et herbam servituti hominum. Hoc quoque spiritualiter accipiendum est. Montes significant viros sanctos, in quibus Dominus fenum herbamque producit, unde simpliciores in Ecclesia catholica tanquam simplicia jumenta pascantur. Fenum perinet ad praedicationes robustas, herba ad monita molliora. Fenum siquidem fuit, qunado dixit Apostolus: Volo omnes homines esse sicut meipsum. Herba: Qui se non continet, nubat. Et iterum, Volo adolescentulas viduas nubere. Et rursus, Lac vobis potum dedi, non escam. Ista enim minora praecepta herbis merito comparantur. Nam quod dicit, servituti hominum, significat usui humano deputata. Cassiodorus, Expositio In Psalterium, Psalmus CXLVII Source: Migne PL 70.1037a

He who brings forth hay in the mountains and grass for the service of men. 1 Thus must also be understood spiritually. The mountains signify holy men in which the Lord brings forth hay and grass, whence the more simple in the Catholic Church are fed like simple animals. Hay pertains to robust preaching, grass to softer admonishments. There was hay when the Apostle said, 'I wish all men to be as I am.' 1 Grass with, 'He who cannot be continent. let him marry.' And again, 'I wish that all young widows marry.' And again, 'I gave you milk to drink, not solid food.' 2 These lesser precepts may rightly be compared to grass. That it is said, 'for the service of men' signifies that it has been established for the benefit of men. Cassiodorus, Commentary On The Psalms, from Psalm 147 1 Ps 147.8 2 1 Cor 7.7, 1 Cor 7.9, 1 Tim 5.14, 1 Cor 3.2