Sunday, November 16 : Saint Theodore the Studite

“Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4). And why, in fact, are you not filled with joy and do you not walk in gladness, since you have been judged worthy to be drawn into this evangelical state by the call which discerns and predestines (cf. Rom 8:29-30), call of the God who governs all things by his wisdom? And now that by the elevation of your way of life you are as if on a promontory, cast your eyes on the miserable and crawling life of men: it is as if tossed by the sea, projected here and there by the uncertain movement of affairs. In truth, nothing lasts, nothing remains in the same state, you see that well; but even kings pass away, princes fall, the mighty rulers of the earth die like mere mortals (cf. Ps 81:7); and those who have been married for a while separate, whether they abandon their spouse or are abandoned by them. Beauty soon withers, youth is fleeting, pleasure is fleeting; wealth dissipates and all possession, like the dream of a shadow, moves away from those who think they retain it. Only lamentation and mourning are found in the adversity and setbacks of mortals. (…) And almost no one fights for what is stable and durable (…). But you my brothers, oh! How and where were you called, and how did you ascend to the mountain of the Lord (cf. Ps 23:3)? How do you contemplate the wonders of heavenly life? (…) May it please therefore the God who brought you up to this promontory, to make you strong and establish you so that you always do what pleases him in holiness and justice (cf. Lk 1:75) (…). Therefore, fear only the living God (cf. Lk 12:5; Rev 14:7), my children!

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team