Friday, April 19 : Basil of Seleucia

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Both Pilate and the Jews saw this shepherd led to the cross for his sheep as the prophets had clearly foretold long before his Passion: “Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep silent before shearers” (Is 53:7). He did not refuse death, he did not flee judgement, and he did not repulse those crucifying him. He did not undergo the Passion: he willed it for the sake of his sheep: “I have power to lay down my life,” he said, “and the power to take it up again.” He destroyed suffering with the suffering of the Passion, death with his death. With his grave he opened graves. He shook the dwelling of the dead and made its bolts spring open. Graves are sealed and the prison shut so long as the Shepherd does not descend into death to preach liberation to those of his sheep who are asleep (cf 1Pt 3:19). We see him in the dwelling of the dead: he gives the command to come out; even there we see him renew the call to life. “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep”: this is how he seeks the love of his sheep. Whoever loves Christ is the one who hears his voice.
Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team