Saturday, January 24 : Isaac of Stella

Christ came in search of the one sheep that was lost (Mt 18,12). It was for this sheep that the Good Shepherd, promised from eternity, was sent in time, for this one that he was born and given. This sheep is one alone, taken out from among the Jews and from peoples…; taken out of all nations; one in its mystery, many in persons; according to its body by nature, one according to its spirit by grace, in short, a single sheep and a multitude without number. That is why he who came to seek the one sheep was sent “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 15,24)… Now, whatever the Shepherd acknowledges as his own “no on can take them out of his hands” (Jn 10,28). For no one can force the powerful, deceive wisdom, or destroy charity. That is why he speaks with confidence when he says: “Father, I have lost none of those you have given me” (cf. Jn 17, 11-12)… And so he was sent as truth for the deceived, path for the straying, life for the dead, wisdom for the ignorant, medicine for the sick, ransom for captives and food for those dying of hunger. In the person of all these it could be said that he was sent to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” that they might not be lost for ever.
maronite readings – rosary,team