Sunday, July 21 : Saint Gregory of Nyssa

“Where do you pasture your flock, O good shepherd, you who take on your shoulders the whole flock, for the whole of human nature which you take on your shoulders forms one sheep ? Show me the place of green pastures and the restful waters, lead me to the grass which nourishes, call me by name, so that I who am your sheep may hear your voice. Give me by your voice eternal life. Speak to me, you whom my soul loves. This is how I name you, for your name is above even-name and cannot be uttered or comprehended by any rational nature. Your name which reveals your goodness is the love my soul has for you. How can I not love you who loved me, even though I was black, so much that you laid down your life for the sheep whose shepherd you are? Greater love than this cannot be conceived, that you should purchase my salvation with your life. Show me then, she says, where you pasture your flock that I may find the pasture of salvation and be satisfied with heavenly food, that food which a man must eat to enter into eternal life. I shall run to you, the fountain, I shall drink the heavenly draught which you pour forth for those who thirst, pouring water out of your side like a fountain when the veins were opened with the spear. If any man tastes of this he becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (Biblical references: Sg 1,7; Lk 15,5; Ps 22; Jn 10,3; Ct 1,7; Ph 2,9; Sg 1,5; Jn 10,11; 15,13; 19,34; 4,14)

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team