Monday in Holy Week
Monday in Holy Week Year I
A READING FROM THE MIRROR OF CHARITY BY ST AELRED OF RIEVAULX
We can find no greater inspiration to love even our enemies as brothers - as we must if our love is to be perfect - than grateful remembrance of Christ’s wonderful patience. He who was the fairest of the children of men offered his beautiful face to be spat upon by sinners; he allowed those eyes whose glance rules the universe to be blindfolded by wicked men; he bared his back to the scourges; he submitted that head which strikes terror into principalities and powers to the sharpness of thorns; he gave himself up to be mocked and reviled, and at the end endured the Cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, while remaining always gentle, kindly, and serene. In short, he was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before the shearers he was silent, not opening his mouth.
Who could listen to that wonderful prayer, so full of affection, love and imperturbable calm - Father, forgive them - and not at once embrace his enemies with all his love? Father, he says, forgive them. Could any prayer be more full of gentleness and love?
Yet he added something more. It was not enough to pray for them: he wished also to excuse them. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little understanding. Therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing me to the Cross, but they do not know who it is they are nailing to the Cross. If they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. Therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden my face from them, and they do not recognize my glory.
Therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
If we wish to experience fully the joy of loving our brothers, we must embrace with real love even our enemies. To prevent this fire of divine love from being cooled by the injuries we receive, let us keep the eyes of our soul always fixed on the serene patience of our beloved Lord and Saviour.
St Aelred of Rievaulx, The Mirror of Charity 3.5: (PL 195:582); from Word in Season II, 1st ed. (Second Reading from the Office of Readings)
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A READING FROM THE MIRROR OF CHARITY BY ST AELRED OF RIEVAULX
We can find no greater inspiration to love even our enemies as brothers - as we must if our love is to be perfect - than grateful remembrance of Christ’s wonderful patience. He who was the fairest of the children of men offered his beautiful face to be spat upon by sinners; he allowed those eyes whose glance rules the universe to be blindfolded by wicked men; he bared his back to the scourges; he submitted that head which strikes terror into principalities and powers to the sharpness of thorns; he gave himself up to be mocked and reviled, and at the end endured the Cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, while remaining always gentle, kindly, and serene. In short, he was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before the shearers he was silent, not opening his mouth.
Who could listen to that wonderful prayer, so full of affection, love and imperturbable calm - Father, forgive them - and not at once embrace his enemies with all his love? Father, he says, forgive them. Could any prayer be more full of gentleness and love?
Yet he added something more. It was not enough to pray for them: he wished also to excuse them. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little understanding. Therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing me to the Cross, but they do not know who it is they are nailing to the Cross. If they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. Therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden my face from them, and they do not recognize my glory.
Therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
If we wish to experience fully the joy of loving our brothers, we must embrace with real love even our enemies. To prevent this fire of divine love from being cooled by the injuries we receive, let us keep the eyes of our soul always fixed on the serene patience of our beloved Lord and Saviour.
St Aelred of Rievaulx, The Mirror of Charity 3.5: (PL 195:582); from Word in Season II, 1st ed. (Second Reading from the Office of Readings)
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