Monday, August 19 : Saint Bernard

It is now fitting we should consider the time of our Lord’s coming. He came, as you know, not in the beginning, nor in the midst of time, but in the end of it. This was no unsuitable choice but a truly wise dispensation of infinite Wisdom who, aware that the sons of Adam are inclined to ingratitude, ordained that she would not come to their help until they were in the greatest need. Truly, “it was evening and the day was far spent”, and the “Sun of justice” had almost set (Lk 24:29; Mal 3:20); only a faint ray of its light and heat remained on earth. The light of divine knowledge was very small, and as iniquity abounded so the fervor of charity grew cold (Mt 24:12). No angel appeared; no prophet spoke. The angelic vision and the prophetic spirit alike had passed away, both hopelessly baffled by the obduracy and obstinacy of humankind. Then it was that the Son of God said: “Behold, I come” (Ps 40[39}:8; Heb 10:7). And “while all things were in quiet silence and night was in the midst of her swift course, your almighty Word leaped down from heaven, from your royal throne” (Wis 18:14-15). As the apostle Paul says: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son” (Gal 4:4).

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team