Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

By Udalricus Campiliensis († c. 1358)

(AI Translation)

On this Sunday it is read: That at the calling of the Lord, Peter, James, and John, leaving all things behind, followed Him. For the Lord calls some to follow Him through an inner inspiration. Others He summons by the extension of His hand. Others He draws through love. Others He drives through scourging. Hence: "On this day, if you hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts &c"

For the faithful, together with the Apostles, follow the Lord:
In holy living: namely, in the world.
In joyful flight: namely, at the moment of death.
In the common resurrection of bodies: namely, in the future judgment.
In an abiding place of eternity: namely, in eternal joy.

For in order that anyone may be able to follow the Lord perfectly, it is necessary that he totally forsake and despise all things carnal, worldly, and earthly, and, denying himself, live as a pilgrim in this world.

Old Testament (Left)
In the nineteenth chapter of the Third Book of Kings, it is read that the prophet Elijah called Elisha, and immediately, leaving all things behind, he followed him. For just as Christ's disciples left all things at His calling, so Elisha, in following him, left all things for the ministry of Elijah.

By Elijah is understood Christ - the ascending Lord - who by holy promptings or other admonitions has called Elisha, that is, any righteous person whom He has invited by His grace to a holy conversion here, and to the sublimity of eternal glory in the future. Then, without any delay, He must be followed, not with sluggish steps, but with devout inclinations of obedience, so that our service may be pleasing to Him, through whom everlasting reward may be given to us.

Old Testament (Right)
In the twenty-seventh chapter of Numbers, it is written that Joshua followed Moses and ministered to him. For just as the Apostles cleaved to the Lord Jesus after He called them, so Joshua, cleaving to the calling of Moses, zealously ministered to him.

For Moses is interpreted as "drawn out of the water," and signifies Christ, who admonishes, attracts, and calls a person, now by benefits, now by ways of correction, until that person completely conforms and adapts himself to His will by ministering to Him. To this, let the devout prelate attend, who refines Elisha - which is interpreted as "salvation," that is, a subject seeking the salvation of his soul - now with persuasions, now with corrections, until he seeks nothing besides God, and following the Lord, may be saved with Him at the very last.

Nature (Left)
The Liber Rerum relates that the wild boar, although it is fierce, once tamed it readily and loyally follows its master.

By the boar, savage, brutish, unpolished, and wild men are signified, just as the Apostles were. These men although they are far off from the knowledge of divine truth, if only they are captured by the grace of God - that is, drawn by the magnitude of the light of faith, just like the excellent Apostles were - then, consequently, they can be most easily tamed to follow the Lord, to fulfill His every pleasure, and even to endure whatever adversities may occur, for with the grace of God they can mirror even the contrition of Peter, the patience of James, and the faith of John in tribulation.

Nature (Right)
Aristotle and Solinus say: That dogs, when called by their masters, immediately follow and recognize them.

Are not dogs, loyal to the utmost degree by nature, the Apostles - through whom the Lord performed many miracles, through whom many thousands of men approached Christ, through they were led to the revealed faith and even unto martyrdom? For dogs, at the calling of their Lord, that is, Christ, immediately submit themselves to the desires of their Master, and thus can do many great and wonderful things.

Hence, O Lord, we beg to be called by Your grace, so that we may be worthy to contemplate You in Your eternal beatitude.