We Have Heard. . .

 



“We have heard that He Who gave life to creatures laid down His Own Life for the salvation of mortal men. We have heard that God, Who is Impervious to suffering, Undertook Suffering in the Flesh on behalf of sinners. We have heard that He Who is Co-Eternal with the Father endured the punishment of death. What a Price beyond measure, redeeming the human race! What an Holocaust, allowing us to escape eternal flames! First there was the death which brought ruin, and then the End which brought abiding good without end; for when Satan, the dart of death, emerged against the Innocent One, the result was that he rightly lost those whom he held in subjection. Hell swallowed up its own destruction like fish, and when it thought it was obtaining plunder it was deceived and obtained the Plunderer instead. This is why Pope Leo [the Great], who was equal to his See, said so splendidly: ‘Though the death of many Martyrs was precious in the Sight of the Lord, the slaughter of no innocent man brought the redemption of sinners. The just did not bestow but received their crowns. From the courage of the faithful sprang the exemplars of patience, not gifts of justice. Each individual experienced an individual death, and none by his own death discharged a neighbour’s debt. Among the sons of men Christ Alone emerged as the Truly Immaculate Lamb, in Whom all men were Crucified, all Died, all were Buried, and all were Raised Again.” O Most Devoted God, as Thou didst deign to Suffer for us in the Flesh Which Thou didst Assume, do Thou bestow on us a share in Thy Kingdom!”

Commentary on the Psalms, “Conclusion” from Commentary on Psalm 54,  St. Cassiodorus (+585)


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