Monday, August 8 : Saint Pacian of Barcelona

All peoples have been set free from the powers that held them captive by our Lord Jesus Christ. He it is – yes, he! – who has redeemed us. As the apostle Paul says: “Having forgiven all our transgressions, obliterating the bond against us, nailing it to the cross, he despoiled the principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them, leading them away in triumph,” (Col 2:13-15). He has set the captives free and broken our bonds, as David said: “The Lord secures justice for the oppressed; the Lord sets captives free; the Lord gives sight to the blind.” And again: “You have loosed my bonds; to you I will offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,” (Pss. 146[145]:7-8; 116[115]:16-17). Yes, we have been released from our bonds, those of us who have been brought together at the Lord’s call by the sacrament of baptism (…); we have been set free by the blood of Christ and the invocation of his name (…) And so, my beloved, we were washed by the waters of baptism once for all; once for all we were set free; once for all we were welcomed into the undying Kingdom. Once for all, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered,” (Ps 32[31]:1; Rom 4:7). Bravely hold fast to what you have received; keep it to your own happiness; sin no more. From henceforth, keep yourselves pure and without fault for the day of the Lord.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team