True reverence for the Lordâs passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified and recognizing in him our own humanity.
The earth â our earthly nature â should tremble at the suffering of its Redeemer. The rocks â the hearts of unbelievers â should come forth, the massive stones now ripped apart.
Foreshadowing of the future resurrection should appear in the holy city, the church of God: what is happening to our bodies should now take place in our hearts.
No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to him in repentance.
Ignorance has been destroyed, obstinacy has been overcome. The sacred blood of Christ has quenched the flaming sword that barred access to the tree of life. The age-old night of sin has given place to the true light.
The Christian people are invited to share the riches of paradise. All who have been reborn have the way open before them to return to their native land, from which they had been exiled. Unless indeed they close off for themselves the path that could be opened before the faith of a thief.
The business of this life should not preoccupy us with its anxiety and pride, so that we no longer strive with all the love of our heart to be like our Redeemer, and to follow his example. Everything that he did or suffered was for our salvation: he wanted his body to share the goodness of its head.
First of all, in taking our human nature while remaining God, so that the Word became man, he left no member of the human race, the unbeliever excepted, without a share in his mercy. Who does not share a common nature with Christ if he has welcomed Christ, who took our nature, and is reborn in the Spirit through whom Christ was conceived?
Again, who cannot recognize in Christ his own infirmities? Who would not recognize that Christ’s eating and sleeping, his sadness and his shedding tears of love are marks of the nature of a slave?
It was this nature of a slave that had to be healed of its ancient wounds and cleansed of the defilement of sin. For that reason, the only-begotten Son of God became also the Son of Man. He was to have both the reality of human nature and the fullness of the Godhead.
The body that lay lifeless in the tomb is ours. The body that rose again on the third day is ours. The body that ascended above all the heights of heaven to the right hand of the Father’s glory is ours. If then we walk in the way of his commandments, and are not ashamed to acknowledge the price he paid for our salvation in a lowly body, we too are to rise to share his glory. The promise he made will be fulfilled in the sight of all: Whoever acknowledges me before men, I too will acknowledge him before my Father who is in heaven.
This article on the victory of the cross and resurrection is excerpted from a sermon by Leo the Great (Sermo 15, De Passione Domini, 3-4; PL 54, 366-367).
Top image credit: Photo of three wooden crosses with sunset background, from Bigstock.com, © by banphote, stock photo ID: 455541355. Used with permission.
Leo the Great was born into a Roman aristocratic family in the 5th century AD. His response to the call of the Lord transformed him into one of the greatest church leaders of Christian history. He was one of the first to be given the title “the Great.” Details pertaining to Leo’s place of birth are not known, but it is believed his ancestors come from Tuscany.
Leo became a very well-known deacon of the Church by 431 AD, serving the church under the Pope Celestine I. Leo was widely respected for his love for the Lord, intelligence and persuasive nature. He was also gifted in bringing reconciliation between disputing groups of Christians.
That is why he was often sent out to settle disputes, both secular and theological. Following Celestine, the next bishop of Rome was Pope Sixtus III. Sixtus III passed away while Leo was visiting Gaul at the request of Emperor Valentinian III. His task was to bring peace between one of Gaulâs chief military commanders and the chief magistrate.
Leo was then unanimously elected as the bishop of Rome to succeed Sixtus III in 440. His swift election reflected the respect he had garnered among the people from his service to the Lord and the affection the faithful had this pastoral and wise servant of the Lord. Along with his dynamic faith and outstanding theological wisdom, Leo I was also courageous. He led Romeâs defense against Attila the Hunâs barbarian invasion on Italy in 452, by taking on the role of peacemaker.
Leo focused heavily on the pastoral care of his people. He inspired and helped to foster charitable work in areas of Rome affected heavily by famine, refugees and poverty. To him, being a Christian was not only about embracing the fullness of the Gospel theologically but living it out in a world filled with hurt, suffering and needs. Leo I was renowned for his profoundly spiritual sermons. With his words, Leo could reach the everyday needs and interests of his people. It was his reputation as an âinstrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and ecclesiastical awarenessâ that helped him become one of the greatest church leaders in the history of the Church. (bio source)