A READING FROM A COMMENTARY
ON PSALM 118 BY ST AMBROSE
The divine Word, coming and knocking at the door of our
soul, challenges our indolence and rouses us from slumber. His desire is always
to enter and make his home with us. It is our own fault, therefore, if he does
not always do so, or if, having once entered, he does not always stay with us.
Let your door stand open to receive him, unlock your soul
to him, lay bare the hidden recesses of your mind. Show him the coffers of
innocence, the treasure house of peace; let him see how beautiful his grace has
made you. Throw wide the gate of your heart, run toward the sun whose unfailing
light shines on every man. That true light shines for everyone, but those who
close their windows deprive themselves of its eternal radiance. If you shut the
door of your mind you shut out Christ. Though he has the power to enter, he
does not care to burst in uninvited or to force himself upon us against our
will.
Born of a virgin, Christ came forth from the womb to shed
his light over the whole world, so that everything might be illumined by his
rays. His light is received by all who long to see the splendour of that
everlasting glory which no darkness can ever dim. Here, the sun of our daily
experience is succeeded by the darkness of night; but the sun of holiness knows
no setting since wisdom can never give place to evil.
Blessed is the soul at whose door Christ stands and
knocks. Our door is faith; if faith is strong enough, the whole house is safe.
That is the door by which Christ enters. Let us be alert, then, otherwise the
Bridegroom may come and find himself shut out, and so take his departure. But if
your heart is watchful, he will knock and ask you to open your door to him.
Our soul has its door, our soul has its gates – gates of
which Scripture says: Swing back your gates, captains of the guard; swing
back, everlasting gates! Let the King of glory enter! Heaven must surely
lie within those souls whose gates are everlasting. If you will swing back the
gates of your faith, the King of glory will enter your house in triumphal
procession, bearing the insignia of his own passion.
Holiness too has its gates. We find in Scripture those
words that the Lord Jesus spoke through his prophet: Open for me the gates of holiness, and that other text: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem; Zion, praise your God, for he has
strengthened the bars of your gates.
It is the soul, therefore, that has its door, its gates,
and to this door and these gates Christ comes and knocks. Open up to him; his
desire is to enter, to find his bride watching and waiting for his coming.
St Ambrose, Sermo 12,
13-15 (CSEL 62, 258-260), from Word in
Season 1
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