Tuesday, April 9, 2019

St. Leo the Great: Passion Saturday: John 12:32: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, shall draw all things to myself.



That which was done against our Lord Jesus Christ by false witnesses, by cruel rulers, by impious priests, using the ministry of a cowardly governor, and the attendance of an ignorant cohort, has been in all ages a matter to be at once detested and embraced. For as the Cross of our Lord, in regard to the mind of the Jews, was cruel, so in regard to the power of the Crucified it is marvellous. The people rages against One, and Christ has mercy on all. What is inflicted by ferocity is welcomed by free will, so that the audacity of the crime accomplishes the work of the eternal Will. Wherefore the whole order of events, which the Gospel narrative goes through so fully, is in such a manner to be received by the ears of the faithful, that while we entirely believe in the acts which were performed at the time of our Lord's Passion, we are to understand that in Christ was not only remission of sins accomplished, but also a pattern of righteousness is displayed.

No comments:

Post a Comment