Friday, November 17 : Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

The King, so great and glorious, attended by the Angel-guards, the partner of the Father’s throne, will not despise His own servants. For that His Elect may not be confused with His foes, “He shall send forth His Angels with a great trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds.” (Matthew 24:31) He despised not Lot, who was but one; how then shall He despise many righteous? “Come, you blessed of My Father” (Mt 25:34) , will He say to them who shall then ride on chariots of clouds, and be assembled by Angels. But some one present will say, I am a poor man, or again, I shall perhaps be found at that time sick in bed (Lc 17:34); or, I am but a woman, and I shall be taken at the mill: shall we then be despised? Be of good courage, O man; the Judge is no respecter of persons; “He will not judge according to a man’s appearance, nor reprove according to his speech.” (Is 11:3) He honours not the learned before the simple, nor the rich before the needy. Though thou be in the field, the Angels shall take you; think not that He will take the landowners, and leave you the husbandman. Though thou be a slave, though thou be poor, be not any whit distressed; “He who took the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7) despises not servants. Though thou be lying sick in bed, yet it is written, “Then shall two be in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” (Luke 17:34) Only be of good cheer, only work, only strive earnestly; for nothing shall be lost. Every prayer of yours, every Psalm you sing is recorded; every alms-deed, every fast is recorded; every marriage duly observed is recorded; continence kept for God’s sake is recorded!
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team