Wednesday, May 28 : Saint Cyril of Alexandria

“I am dying”, said the Lord, “for all men, so that through me all may have life; by my flesh I have redeemed the flesh all men. For in my death death will die, and fallen human nature will rise again with me. In this way I have become, like you, a man descended from Abraham, so that I may be made like my brethren every respect” (Heb 2,17)… There was never any other way to destroy the one who had the power of death, and therefore death itself. Christ had to give himself up for us; the one had to be the ransom for all, for he was the head of all. Accordingly he said in another place, namely the psalms, when he offered himself to God his Father as a spotless sacrifice on our behalf: “You wanted no sacrifice or oblation, but you prepared a body for me. You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin. Then I said, ‘Here I am’” (Ps 39[40],7f.; Heb 10,5)… Indeed, Christ’s own words prove to us that he offered his flesh for the life of the world: “Holy Father, keep them.” And again: “For their sake I make myself holy” (Jn 17,11.19)… meaning: “I consecrate and offer myself as a spotless sacrifice with a sweet savour” (cf. Gn 8,21; Eph 5,2). In fact, what was offered on the altar was made holy or called sacred according to the law. Therefore Christ gave his body for the life of all, and through his body planted his life in us… When God’s life-giving Word came to dwell in human flesh, he remade it for its good, that is, for its life.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team