Monday, April 15 : Basil of Seleucia

Let us consider Christ, our shepherd (…). He rejoices in those sheep of his that are around him and goes in search of those that stray. Mountains and forests cause him no fear; he crosses ravines to reach the sheep that is lost. Even if he finds it in a piteous state, he is not angry but touched with pity; he takes it on his shoulders and, from his own weariness, heals the exhausted sheep (Lk 15:4 f.) (…) With good reason Christ declares: “I am the Good Shepherd, I seek out the lost sheep, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal (Ez 34:16). I have seen the flock of mankind struck down by sickness; I have witnessed my lambs wander about where demons dwell; I have seen my flock ravaged by wolves. All this I have seen and have not witnessed it from on high. That is why I took hold of the withered hand, gripped by pain as if by a wolf; I have unbound those whom fever had bound; I taught him to see whose eyes had been shut from his mother’s womb; I brought Lazarus out from the tomb where he had lain for four days (Mk 3:5; 1:31; Jn 9; 11). For I am the Good Shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (…) The prophet knew this shepherd when, long before his Passion, he declared what would take place: “Like a sheep led to the slaughter or a sheep, dumb before the shearers, he opened not his mouth” (Is 53:7). Like a sheep, the shepherd has offered his neck for his flock (…). By his death, he heals from death; by his tomb he empties the tomb (…). The tombs are full and the prison shut so long as the shepherd, come down from the cross, has not come to bring his captive sheep the joyful news of their liberation. We see him in hell where he gives the order for their release (1 Pt 3:19); we see him call his sheep once more, giving them the call to life from the dwellings of the dead. “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” This is how he intends to win the affection of his sheep, and those who know how to listen to his voice love Christ.
Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team