Tuesday, January 3 : Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

Jesus Christ was the Son of God, yet He preached not the Gospel before His Baptism. If the Master Himself followed the right time in due order, ought we, His servants, to venture out of order? From that time Jesus began to preach (Matthew 4:17) , when the Holy Spirit had descended upon Him in a bodily shape, like a dove (Luke 3:22) ; not that Jesus might see Him first, for He knew Him even before He came in a bodily shape, but that John, who was baptizing Him, might behold Him. For I, says he, knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, He said to me, Upon whomsoever you shall see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, that is He (John 1:33). If you too hast unfeigned piety, the Holy Ghost comes down on you also, and a Father’s voice sounds over you from on high — not, This is My Son, but, This has now been made My son; for the is belongs to Him alone, because In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. To Him belongs the is, since He is always the Son of God: but to you has now been made: since you have not the sonship by nature, but receive it by adoption. He eternally is; but you receive the grace progressively. Make ready then the vessel of your soul, that you may become a son of God, and an heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17); if, indeed, you are preparing yourself that you may receive; if you are drawing near in faith that you may be made faithful; if of set purpose you are putting off the old man.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team