Saturday, September 21 : Saint Peter Chrysologus

“Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?” God is accused of bending down to man, of sitting next to the sinner, of being hungry for his conversion and thirsty for his return, of consenting to eat the food of compassion and drink from the cup of goodness. But Christ, my brethren, came to this meal: Life came amongst these guests that those who were going to die might live with him the same life as he. The Resurrection reclined at this table that those who lay in death might rise from their tombs; Grace stooped down to raise sinners up to forgiveness; God came to man that man might attain to God; the judge came to the meal of the guilty to release humankind from the sentence of condemnation; the doctor came to the sick to restore their depleted strength by eating with them; the Good Shepherd bent down to carry the lost sheep back to salvation’s fold (Lk 15,3f.)… “Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But who is the sinner if not the one who refuses to see himself as sinful? Isn’t it to sink in one’s sins and, if the truth be told, identify oneself with sin by not recognizing oneself to be a sinner? And who is unrighteous if not the one who thinks himself righteous?… Come along, you Pharisee, confess your sin and you will be able to come to Christ’s table. Christ will become bread for your sake, the bread to be broken for the forgiveness of your sins. Christ will become drink for your sake, the drink that will be shed for the remission of your offenses. Come along, you Pharisee, share the meal of sinners that you may eat your meal with Christ. Acknowledge yourself a sinner and Christ will eat with you. Go in to the Lord’s feast along with sinners and you will be able to be a sinner no more. With the forgiveness of Christ enter into the house of mercy.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team