Monday, September 19 : Saint Leo the Great

The Lord was handed over to their savage wishes, and in mockery of his kingly state, ordered to be the bearer of His own instrument of death, that what Isaiah the prophet foresaw might be fulfilled: “Upon his shoulder dominion rests” (Is 9,5). When, therefore, the Lord carried the wood of the cross, which would be turned into the sceptre of power for him, it was indeed a great mockery in the eyes of the wicked, but to the faithful a great mystery was set forth, seeing that he, the glorious vanquisher of the Devil, and mighty adversary of the powers that stood against him, was carrying for the people’s worship the trophy of his triumph, and on the shoulders of his unconquered patience bore into every realm the adorable sign of salvation: as if even then to confirm all his followers by this mere symbol of his work, and say, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10,38). But as the multitudes went with Jesus to the place of punishment, a certain Simon of Cyrene was found on whom to lay the wood of the cross instead of the Lord; that even by this act might be pre-signified the Gentiles’ faith, to whom the cross of Christ was to be not shame but glory.
maronite readings – rosary,team