Dust For Heaven

Fiant tanquam pulvis ante faciem venti, et angelus Domini affligens eos. Pulvis terrena quidem, sed nimis arida tenuisque substantia est, quae vento flante in sua sede manere non sinitur, sed in auras liquidas elevatur. Ita voluntates peccatorum, cum veritatis fuerint inspiratione commonitae, a terrenis vitiis sublevantur, et ad virtutes aethereas, praestante Domino, perducuntur. Sic ergo malis optatur ut ad vitam coelestem felici emendatione perveniant. Angelum dicimus supernae virtutis nuntium, per quem divina iussa complentur. Iste ergo angelus conversos affligit, ut in illam patriam felicem humilitatis munere perducantur. Sed afflictio ista beneficium est, quando in locum magni muneris, ut emergat, optatur. Cassiodorus, Expositio In Psalterium, Psalmus XXXIV Source: Migne PL 70.243a-b

Let them be like dust before the face of the wind, with the angel of the Lord afflicting them. 1 The earth's dust is certainly a most dry and tenuous substance, which by a breath of the wind is not capable of remaining in its place, but is lifted right up into the clear air. Therefore the wills of sinners, when they are lifted up from worldly vices by the inspiration of the warnings of truth, under the watch of the Lord, are led to the heavenly virtues. Thus it is desired that from evils they might come to heavenly happiness by improvement. We say that the angel here is he who announces heaven's virtue, through which the Divine commands are fulfilled. Therefore this angel afflicts the converted so that with the gift of humility they might be led into that blessed fatherland. But this affliction is a benefit, when it is desired that they rise up into the place of the great gift. Cassiodorus, Commentary On The Psalms, from Psalm 34 1 Ps 34.6