ACC ~ Luke 11 v5 - 8

GOD GIVES GRACIOUSLY

AUGUSTINE: A man whose friend came to him from a journey had nothing to set before him. He wished to borrow three loaves from a friend. Perhaps this number symbolizes the Trinity of one substance. The man woke him as he slept in the middle of his servants. He begged insistently and importunately, so that he gave him as many as he wished. If a man awakened from sleep is forced to give unwillingly in answer to a request, God, who does not know sleep and who wakens us from sleep that we may ask, gives much more graciously. LETTER 130. [1]

[1] FC 18:388**.

THE NOURISHMENT OF THE HEAVENLY MYSTERY

AMBROSE: You see that he who woke his friend at midnight demanding three loaves of bread and, persisting in his intention to receive, finds that his requests are not denied. What are those three loaves if not the nourishment of the heavenly mystery? If you love the Lord your God, you will be able to deserve this not only for yourself but also for others. Then who is a greater friend to us than he who surrendered his own body for us? [1] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.87. [2]

[1] Jn 15:13.

[2] EHG 266-67**.