He opened their minds
We had on Monday last this magnificent text from Pope Saint Gregory:
From the Exposition of the Prophet Ezekiel by St Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor
“I saw a hand stretched out towards me, holding a rolled up scroll. It then spread out the scroll before me, and I saw that it was written on within and without.” In this vision the Prophet represents all preachers of the Gospel, and the scroll given to him represents holy Scripture. It is rolled up, since the words of Scripture are often obscure. Because of their profundity they are not easily understood by everyone. But the scroll is then spread out before the Prophet, because holy preachers are able to reveal the hidden meaning of Scripture to the faithful. Truth himself opened out this scroll when, “He opened their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures.” The scroll was written on within and without because Scripture has a literal or historical sense and a spiritual or allegorical sense. The writing “without” is the plain sense of the letter, attainable by the weak. The writing “within” is the spiritual understanding, given only to the strong. It is “within” because it promises invisible things, whereas what is written “without” is visible and earthly. It is “within” when it sets forth heavenly realities, and “without” when it shows how earthly things should be rightly used, or properly excluded from what we may rightly desire.
The strong are able to feast on the hidden and sublime words of holy Scripture. We little ones, though, must usually find our nourishment in its more open precepts. For this reason the Psalmist said: “The high mountains are a refuge for the stags, and the rock for the hedgehogs.” Those who can already make the leap of divine contemplation are able to attain the mountain heights of spiritual understanding. But as for us: we are more like the hedgehogs who find refuge in the rocks, for we are covered by the spines of our sins, and so unable to understand profound truths. Nevertheless, we are safe in the haven of the Rock: that is, we are saved through our faith in Jesus Christ. St Paul therefore told some people: “I did not consider myself to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Or in other words: “Because I did not think you could grasp the mysteries of his divinity, I spoke to you only about his human weakness.”
The Prophet goes on: “There were written on the scroll lamentations, songs and woe.” By this he means that holy Scripture contains everything we need to edify us and instruct us. Have you sinned, and bitterly regret what you have done? Here you will find lamentations, teaching you how to repent. Do you yearn for the consolation of heavenly joys? Here you will find a song for your comfort. Are you a sinner who not only refuses to repent, but even disdains the hope of heavenly rewards? Here you will find written the woes of your condemnation. It remains for us then, brethren, to wake up to the words of this scroll. Let us afflict ourselves with tears for the sins we remember having committed, in order that through our lamentation we may come at last to the song of life. The dreadful alternative is to experience woe without end. We do not despair of avoiding that, because the magnitude of our sickness cannot compare with the greatness of the divine Doctor, to whom be praise and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
