Sunday, March 2, 2014

Exchanging old age for youth

 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ...
who forgives ... who heals ... who redeems .... who satisfies ...
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. - Psalm 103: 2-5


"So you came to desire the altar, because you had seen so much grace.  You came with desire to the altar to receive the sacrament.  Let your soul say, 'I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth' (Ps 43:4, DR).
You have taken off the old age of sins.  You have taken on the youth of grace. All this the heavenly sacraments gave to you.  So listen again to David:  'Your youth is renewed like the eagle's' (Ps 103:5). You have begun to be a good eagle, seeking heaven, scorning earthly things.  Good eagles stay close to the altar; for 'Wherever the body is, there the eagles will gather together' (Mt 24:28).  The altar itself is a symbol of the body, and the body of Christ is on the altar.  You are eagles, renewed by the washing away of sin." 

St Ambrose (+397)

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