Saturday, March 15 : Isaac of Stella

Why are we so little concerned to seek opportunities of salvation for one another, so as to help one another more, where we see that it would be more necessary, and to bear each other’s burdens? The Apostle exhorts us to this when he says: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). And elsewhere: “Bear with one another in love” (Eph 4:2). This is indeed the very law of Christ. When in my brother I perceive something incorrigible, as a result of difficulties or physical or moral infirmities, why not bear with him with patience, why not console him with all my heart, according to the word of Scripture: “Their children will be carried in the arms and comforted on the knees” (Is 66:12)? Could it be that I lack that charity which bears all things, which is patient in supporting, indulgent in loving? (cf. 1 Cor 13:7). Such in any case is the law of Christ. In his Passion, he “truly took upon himself our sufferings,” and in his mercy “carried our sorrows” (Is 53:4), loving those he bore, carrying those he loved. (…) Every kind of life that allows one to devote oneself more sincerely to the love of God and, for him, to the love of one’s neighbor – whatever one’s habit or observances – is also more pleasing to God. Charity: it is for it that everything must be done or not done, changed or not changed. Charity: it is the principle by which and the end toward which it is fitting that everything should be directed. There is no fault in what, in all truth, is done for it and according to its spirit. May He grant it to us, whom without it we cannot please and without whom we can do nothing, he who lives and reigns, for he is God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team