State super vias et videte et interrogate de semitis antiquis quae sit via bona et ambulate in ea et invenietis refrigerium animabus vestris

21 Sept 2016

An Apostle Called


Sequitur mystica evocatio Publicani, quem sequi jubet non corporis gressu, sed mentis affectu. Itaque ille prius avara de mercedibus, dura de laboribus periculisque nautarum emolumenta convertens, verbo vocatus, propria dereliquit, qui rapiebat aliena: ac vile illud sedile destituens, toto post Dominum vestigio mentis incedit. Convivii quoque magni exhibet apparatum; qui enim domicilio Christum recipit interno, maximis delectationibus exuberantium pascitur voluptatum. Itaque Dominus libenter ingreditur, et in ejus qui crediderit, recumbit affectu.

Sanctus Ambrosius Mediolanensis, Expositio Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Liber Quintus

The mystical calling of the Publican follows, he who was commanded to follow not with corporeal step but with affection of mind. And that man who was before greedy for money, changing his harsh office from the labours and dangers of sailors, with a word being called, left behind his own, he who would seize on the goods of others, and abandoning his vile seat, with the whole intent of the mind, he follows after the Lord. Also he is shown to have prepared a great feast, he who received Christ into his house, with greatest pleasure preparing an abundance of delight. Thus the Lord freely enters and into the affection of him who has believed, rests.

Saint Ambrose, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Book 5

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