The Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on Courtesy
GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1 St. Peter iii. 8 & St. Luke v. 1
1 St. Peter iii. 8.
BE ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.St. Luke v. 1.
IT came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.HOMILY
Ambrose
Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy. Book I
an extract: as touching on Peter's 1st Epistle, and the exhortation to courtesy and the collect for this week
and being an excellent guide for those who would wish to post on the Order's forums
Chapter XXII.
On reflection and passion, and on observing propriety of speech, both in ordinary conversation and in holding
discussions.
98. There are two kinds of mental motions—those of reflection and of passion. The one has to do with reflection,
the other with passion. There is no confusion one with the other, for they are markedly different and unlike.
Reflection has to search and as it were to grind out the truth. Passion prompts and stimulates us to do something.
Thus by its very nature reflection diffuses tranquillity and calm; and passion sends forth the impulse to act. Let
us then be ready to allow reflection on good things to enter into our mind, and to make passion submit to reason
(if indeed we wish to direct our minds to guard what is seemly), lest desire for anything should shut out reason.
Rather let reason test and see what befits virtue.
99. And since we have said that we must aim at the observance of what is seemly, so as to know what is the due
measure in our words and deeds, and as order in speech rather than in action comes first; speech is divided into
two kinds: first, as it is used in friendly conversation, and then in the treatment and discussion of matters of
faith and justice. In either case we must take care that there is no irritation. Our language should be mild and
quiet, and full of kindness and courtesy and free from insult. Let there be no obstinate disputes in our familiar
conversations, for they are wont only to bring up useless subjects, rather than to supply anything useful. Let
there be discussion without wrath, urbanity without bitterness, warning without sharpness, advice without giving
offence. And as in every action of our life we ought to take heed to this, in order that no overpowering impulse of
our mind may ever shut out reason (let us always keep a place for counsel), so, too, ought we to observe that rule
in our language, so that neither wrath nor hatred may be aroused, and that we may not show any signs of our greed
or sloth.
100. Let our language be of this sort, more especially when we are speaking of the holy Scriptures. For of what
ought we to speak more often than of the best subject of conversation, of its exhortation to watchfulness, its care
for good instruction? Let us have a reason for beginning, and let our end be within due limits. For a speech that
is wearisome only stirs up anger. But surely it is most unseemly that when every kind of conversation generally
gives additional pleasure, this should give cause of offence!
101. The treatment also of such subjects as the teaching of faith, instruction on self-restraint, discussion on
justice, exhortation to activity, must not be taken up by us and fully gone into all at one time, but must be
carried on in course, so far as we can do it, and as the subject-matter of the passage allows. Our discourse must
not be too lengthy, nor too soon cut short, for fear the former should leave behind it a feeling of aversion, and
the latter produce carelessness and neglect. The address should be plain and simple, clear and evident, full of
dignity and weight; it should not be studied or too refined, nor yet, on the other hand, be unpleasing and rough in
style.
Finis
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