Ambrose as touching Luke vi, 37 & 38
O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through good things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [ca 600AD]. See Latin. English prayer book translation does not have "good" as does the Latin
Psalms 19, 20 | 24, 25 ; Romans viii. 18 & St. Luke vi. 36
Homily of Ambrose to Clergy as touching the Gospel
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over"
Comment
We visit Ambrose's first book of Duties of the Clergy today and chapter 31 as he looks at the whole issue of gracious behavior toward one another, and quotes the above verse from Luke:
Therefore Solomon says well: "When thou sittest to eat at the table of a ruler consider diligently what is before thee, and put forth thine hand, knowing that it behoves thee to make such preparations. But if thou art insatiable, be not desirous of his dainties, for they have but a deceptive life." I have written these words as I wish that we all should follow them. It is a good thing to do a service, but he who knows not how to return one is very hard. The earth herself supplies an example of kindliness. She provides fruits of her own accord, which thou didst not sow; she also returns many-fold what she has received. It is not right for thee to deny knowledge of money paid in to thee, and how can it be right to let a service done go without notice? In the book of Proverbs also it is said: that the repayment of kindness has such great power with God, that through it, even in the day of destruction, a man may find grace, though his sins outweigh all else. And why need I bring forward other examples when the Lord Himself promises in the Gospel a fuller reward to the merits of the saints, and exhorts us to do good works, saying: "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom."
Ambrose uses the scripture here to encourage liberality, as well as to speak of the need to reciprocate in kind to those who have been generous with us. The ability to accept a gift offered by someone out of goodness is a sure mark of graciousness. To be mindful of opportunities wherein we who have received a kind gift may return it, surely is in keeping with our Lord's command here and the example of the Apostles.
Today's collect echoes the Gospel, as it speaks of God's mercy being multiplied upon us. Accept the gift our Lord gives freely, and reciprocate in kind by being generous with those good things and works temporal so that at the Last Day we may not loose those things eternal ...
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?...And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:37-40
Finis -- Released by Primus Pilus
Legio Christi-Ecclesia Militans
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]
* ORDO CENTURIONUM * IN HOC SIGNO VINCES * TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
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