examination of the heart 482 FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH Before Holy Communion 1. “So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore” (Lk 19:4). Consider that in Latin, sycamore means foolish fig,234 and thus, we are instructed to embrace things that seem foolish to the world, if we would wish to gain possession of the true wisdom of God (cf. 1 Cor 3:18-19). Consider that the sycamore also signifies [f.156v] the Cross of Christ and His teaching; which men, intent on the world, find to be the greatest foolishness altogether (cf. 1 Cor 1:23). But in truth, God could not be perceived without it, as Zacchaeus could not have seen Him if he had not climbed the sycamore. Hence, St. Gregory rightly says: “The little Zacchaeus climbed the sycamore and saw the Lord, because those who humbly choose what the world holds for foolishness, shall be precisely the ones who subtly contemplate the wisdom of God.”235 2. “make haste and come down” (Lk 19:5). You too should hastily come down into your heart, because the Lord invites Himself to you, as He invited Himself to Zacchaeus. Therefore, run as fast as possible to the room of your heart, and prepare a dwelling there for the great Guest: for today He should stay in your house. How fortunate it will be if He finds it swept with the broom of self-examination, washed with the water of contrition! Come down, therefore, come down in haste to your house, you who are about to welcome the heavenly Guest there. Let not your abode displease Him! 234 Cf. SLL, vol. 2, Typis Seminarii apud Joannem Manfrè, Patavii 1758, p. 358 (s.v. Sycomorus): “Quasi fatuam ficum dixeris.” 235 Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Libri: Expositio Librium B. Job — Liber XXVII (Job XXXVII, 24), in: PL, vol. 76, Ateliers catholiques du Petit-Montrouge, Paris 1857, p. 445 (n. 890).
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