Wednesday, May 22 : Saint John Cassian

When the Apostles complained and said: Master, we saw one casting out devils in Your name, and we forbade him because he follows not with us, though for the present Christ replied to them Forbid him not, for he that is not against you is for you, (Luke 9:49-50) still when they say at the end: Lord, Lord, have we not in Your name prophesied, and in Your name cast out devils, and in Your name done many mighty works? He testifies that then He will answer: I never knew you: depart from me, you workers of iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23) And therefore He actually warns those, to whom He Himself has given this glory of miracles and mighty works because of their holiness, that they be not puffed up by them, saying: Rejoice not because the devils are subject to you, but rejoice rather because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20) Finally the Author Himself of all miracles and mighty works, when He called His disciples to learn His teaching, clearly showed what those true and specially chosen followers ought chiefly to learn from Him, saying: Come and learn of Me, not chiefly to cast out devils by the power of heaven, not to cleanse the lepers, not to give sight to the blind, not to raise the dead: for even though I do these things by some of My servants, yet man’s estate cannot insert itself into the praises of God, nor can a minister and servant gather hereby any portion for himself there where is the glory of Deity alone. But learn this of Me, He says, for I am meek and lowly of heart. (Matthew 11:28-29) For this it is which it is possible for all men generally to learn and practise, but the working of miracles and signs is not always necessary, nor good for all, nor granted to all. Humility therefore is the mistress of all virtues, it is the surest foundation of the heavenly building, it is the special and splendid gift of the Saviour.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team