Young of the gentile Racen now seek preyfrom God. 383
alter others, with the same hunger, as it knows that it was Book
itself desired by the Apostles. Wherefore it is also fitly—'—^-^
subjoined;
Ver. 41. Who preparethfor the raven hisfood^ when his
young ones cry to God, wandering because they have not
meat?
28. For what is designated by the name of the raven, and ix.
its young ones, but the Gentile world blackened with sin ?
Of which it is said by the Prophet; Who giveth to lheP»*^^^j
beasts their food, and to the young ravens which call on
Him. For the beasts receive food, when minds before brutal,
are satiated with the food of Holy Scripture. But food is
given to the young ravens, namely, to the sons of the
Gentiles, when their longing is refreshed by our conversion ^ 'al. 'con-
This raven was food, while Holy Church was seeking for it-y^^^'^"
But it now receives food, because it seeks out others for
conversion.
29. And its young, that is, the holy preachers which are
sprung from it, truly trust not in themselves, but in the
strength of their Redeemer. Whence it is well said : When
his young ones cry to Ood. For they know that they can
do nothing by their own strength. And though in their
pious wishes they hunger for the gain of souls, yet they
desire these effects to be wrought by Him Who works all
things within. For they understand by true faith, that
neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, i Cor.
but God Who giveth the increase,
'
30. But in that which is said. Wandering because they have
no meat, nothing else is designated by this wandering but
the wishes of eager preachers. For while they desire to
receive people into the bosom of the Church, being kindled
with great warmth, they put forth their desire now to gather
in these, and now those. For this very agitation of thought
is, as it were, a kind of wandering; and they pass over as if
to different places, with change of will, whilst they run here
and there with ravenous mind, in numberless ways, and into
different parts, for uniting souls together.
31. This wandering the young ones of the ravens, that is
the sons of the Gentiles, learned from the teacher of the
Gentiles himself. For in proportion to the strong love with