“Whoever leaves treasure lacks. Whoever departs from wisdom is stupefied. It was fitting that he [the Lost Son] began to be in need, because he abandoned the treasures of wisdom and the knowledge of God and the depths of heavenly riches. He began to want and to suffer starvation, because nothing is enough for prodigal enjoyment. He who does not know how to be filled with eternal nourishment always suffers starvation…Let us not fear because we have squandered the inheritance of spiritual dignity that we received on earthly pleasures. Do not fear that perhaps he will not receive you for the Lord has no pleasure in the destruction of the living…He who hears you pondering in the secret places of the mind runs to you. When you are still far away, he sees you and runs to you.”
St. Ambrose in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture ed. Thomas Oden (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003), p. 243-252, cf. Luke 15:11-32 –