One Thing

Unam petii a Domino, hanc requiram. Unam quidem petisse se dicit a Domino, quam exponit inferius Sed videmus si unam, et non magis omnia. Calculo quidem singularis, sed rerum utilitate numerosa; angusta precatio, latum praemium; breviter quaeritur, sed granditer impetratur. Bonorum ergo mos est domum Domini solam expetere, in qua Bona omnia continentur. Mali autem terrena voluntate discissi, dum sanitatem corporis petunt, cum divitias precantur, cum inimicorum deiectiones expostulant, petendo fatigantur, et interdum peritura conquirunt. Ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitae meae: ut videam voluntatem Domini, et protegar a templo sancto eius. Haec est una supplicatio, quam superius expetebat. Et vide quia nulla castra, nullum praelium metuere debuit, qui tali se munitione vallavit. Quae sunt enim civitates similes, qui sunt exercitus fortiores, quam habitare in domo Domini, ubi nihil humanum, nihil diabolicum certum est pertimesci? Et hoc non parvo tempore, sed omnibus diebus vitae suae. Quando, rogo, metuat, cui omnis vita secura est? Videt etiam voluntatem Domini, qui praecepta eius intelligit, qui puritati ipsius tota se mente subdiderit. Propheta enim postulat protegi a corporis Christi templo, unde et firmamentum fidei, et invictum robur defensionis accipitur. Ad illud enim pervenerat animi virtute, quod adhuc non videbat in specie. Cassiodorus, Expositio In Psalterium, Psalmus XXVI Source: Migne PL 70.188a-b

One thing I sought from the Lord, this I required... 1 He says that he asked for one thing from the Lord, which he expands on below, but now let us see if this one thing is not more than everything. Calculation is certainly one thing but it has many uses. The prayer is anguished but the reward is expansive. The request is brief, but it entreats what is great. Therefore it is the custom of those who are good to ask only for the house of the Lord in which every good is contained. Those who are evil are divided in their wills for worldly things, for they seek bodily health and they pray for wealth and they cry out for the overthrow of their enemies, and all the while seek what will perish. ...that I might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, so that I might see the will of the Lord and be protected from His holy temple. This is the sole supplication, which was asked for above. And note that no camp, no army should cause fear to him who is surrounded by such fortifications. For who are those who are like cities and strong armies, but those who dwell in the house of the Lord, where nothing human, nor anything demonic, can affright? And this is not for a short time, but all the days of his life. When, I ask, shall he fear for whom the whole of life is secure? He who understands His commandments sees the will of the Lord, he who subdues the whole mind to His purity. For the prophet asks to be protected by the temple of Christ's body, and there is the foundation of faith, and he receives unconquerable strength for a defence. What he did not see appear he approached with the power of the soul. Cassiodorus, Commentary On The Psalms, from Psalm 26 1 Ps 26.6