Thursday, October 31 : Saint John Cassian

For the purpose of God whereby He made man not to perish but to live for ever, stands immovable. And when His goodness sees in us even the very smallest spark of good will shining forth, which He Himself has struck as it were out of the hard flints of our hearts, He fans and fosters it and nurses it with His breath, as He wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). He says, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish (Mt 18:14). Again it says: neither will God have a soul to perish, but recalls, meaning that he that is cast off should not altogether perish. “I will not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn from his way and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11). If He wills not that one of His little ones should perish, how can we imagine without grievous blasphemy that He does not generally will all men, but only some instead of all to be saved? Those then who perish, perish against His will, as He testifies against each one of them day by day: Turn from your evil ways, and why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ez 33:11) And again: How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not; and: Wherefore is this people in Jerusalem turned away with a stubborn revolting? They have hardened their faces and refused to return (Jr 8,5 ). The grace of Christ then is at hand every day, which, while it wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, calls all without any exception, saying: “Come unto Me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. “(Matthew 11:28)
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team