Monday, July 22 : Homily attributed to Saint Macarius of Egypt

Let us welcome our God and Lord, the true doctor who, by coming to us, is alone able to heal our souls, he who strove so mightily on our behalf. He is constantly knocking on the door of our hearts for us to open to him and let him in so that he can recline in our souls, making his home with us, and we can wash his feet and pour perfume over them. Indeed, Jesus rebukes the one who failed to wash his feet and elsewhere he says: “Behold I stand at the door…; if anyone opens the door I will enter his house” (Rv 3,20). In fact, this is the reason why he bore such great suffering, delivering up his body to death and redeeming us from slavery: it was so that he might enter our souls and make his home there. This was why our Lord says to those who are to stand on his left side at the judgement and be cast into the eternal fire: “I was a stranger and you gave me no welcome; I was hungry and you gave me no food; thirsty, and you gave me no drink” (cf. Mt 25,42f.) Because his food and drink, his clothing, shelter and rest are all within our heart. This is why he is always knocking, trying to come in to our house. So let us welcome him and bring him inside, within us, since he is our food, drink and eternal life, too. And those souls who do not now receive him within, for him to find his rest in them, or rather that they might find rest in him, will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven with the saints or be able to enter the heavenly city. But you, O Lord Jesus Christ, grant us to enter there, we who glorify your name with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ages unending. Amen.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team