Wednesday, April 13 : Saint Gregory Nazianzen

We are soon going to share in the Passover, and although we still do so only in a symbolic way, the symbolism already has more clarity than it possessed in former times because, under the law, the Passover was, if I may dare to say so, only a symbol of a symbol. Before long, however, when the Word “drinks the new wine with us in the kingdom of his Father” (Lk 22:18), we shall be keeping the Passover in a yet more perfect way, and with deeper understanding… So let us take our part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in a literal way (Rom 7:6), but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally. Let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one; the city glorified by angels, not the one laid waste by armies. We are not required to sacrifice “young bulls or rams, beasts with horns and hoofs” (Ps 69:32)…; but instead, let us join the choirs of angels in offering God upon his heavenly altar a sacrifice of praise (Ps 49:14). We must now pass through the first veil and approach the second, turning our eyes toward the Holy of Holies. I will say more: we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating his passion by our sufferings, and honouring his blood by shedding our own. We must be ready to be crucified. If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up your cross and follow Christ. If you are crucified beside him like one of the thieves, now, like the good thief, acknowledge your God… If you are a Joseph of Arimathea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body. Make your own the expiation for the sins of the whole world. If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshipped God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial. If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself. (Lk 23:26,42,52; Jn 19:39; Mk 16:1; Lk 24:10; Jn 20,1f.)

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team