Grass And Plants

Producens fenum jumentis, et herbam servituti hominum, ut educat panem de terra... Excolit quod superius dixit, ut terra illa coelesti imbre satiata producat fenum jumentis, id est eleemosynas faciat his qui passim petunt, de quibus dictum est: Omni petenti te tribue. Jumenta enim appellati sunt, quia verecundiam non habentes propter ingluviem ventris, in egentium voces petulanter erumpunt sicut jumenta, quae dum esuriunt, nequaquam possunt a propriis vocibus abstinere. Herbam vero servitui hominum, hoc est, ut illi necessari tribuantur, de quo scriptum est. Desudet eleemosyna in manu tua, donec invenias justum cui eam tradas. Hic enim homnies appellati sunt, qui ratione plenissimi indigentiam suam tolerantiae viribus tegunt. Sic duo genera egentium talibus allusionibus exprimuntur. Sequitur, ut educat panem de terra. Educitur panis de terra, quando Domini praecepta complentur, ut de istis carnalibus atque visualibus cibus fiat unde anima coelesti refectione pascatur. Panis enim vere noster est Christus, qui tunc de terra producitur, quando aliquid indigentibus ejus consideratione praestatur. Sive hoc potest de praedicatoribus dici, qui coelestibus divitiis imperitorum hominum indigentias misericorditer expleverunt. Cassiodorus, Expositio In Psalterium, Psalmus CIII Source: Migne PL 70.733a-c

Bringing forth grass for cattle, and plants for the service of men, that he may draw forth bread from the earth... 1 He develops what he has said previously, that from the earth which has been supplied with heaven's rain he might forth grass for cattle, that is, he might give alms to those who seek them everywhere, concerning which it is said, 'Give to everyone who asks from you.' 2 For they are called cattle because they lack self control regarding the gluttony of the stomach, and in want they burst forth with petulant voices like cattle, which, while they thirst, they have no power in themselves to silence. Plants, however, are for the service of men, that is, they are given to those who are in need, concerning which it has been written, 'Let alms grow damp with sweat in your hand until you know you give them to someone righteously.' 3 For here they are called men, who replete with reason cover up poverty in the support of men. So there are two classes of the needy expressed by such allusions. It follows, 'that he may draw forth bread from the earth,' Bread is drawn from the earth when the commandments of the Lord are fulfilled, as when food comes from things carnal and visible, so by that the soul may feed on heavenly refreshments. For our true bread is Christ, who is drawn forth from the earth when something is presented in consideration of His needy ones. Or it is possible to say this of those who preach, who mercifully satisfy with the riches of heaven the poverty of men. Cassiodorus, Commentary On The Psalms, from Psalm 103 1 Ps 103.14 2 Lk 6.30 3 Didache 1.6