Thursday, December 22 : Saint John Fisher

Wonder is the source from which philosophers draw their great learning. They encounter and reflect on the marvels of nature, such as earthquakes or thunder … or eclipses of the sun and moon, for example. Moved by these wonders, they seek out their cause. Thus, by patient research and extensive investigation, they attain remarkable knowledge and subtlety, which men call “natural philosophy”. But there is another, even higher form of philosophy, above that of nature, to which one likewise attains through wonder: this is the philosophy of christians. And there is no question that, of all that characterises christian doctrine, it is particularly wonderful and marvellous that the Son of God, for love of man, consented to be crucified and to die on the cross… Is it not astonishing that he, for whom we should have the most respectful awe, felt such fear that he sweated water and blood?… Is it not astonishing that he, who gives life to every creature, should have endured so humiliating, cruel and painful a death? And so, those who strive to meditate on and wonder at so extraordinary a “book” as is the cross, with sensitive heart and sincere faith, will attain a far more fruitful knowledge than many another who daily studies and meditates on ordinary books. For the true christian this book is sufficient as an object of study for all the days of his life.
maronite readings – rosary,team