hy did the Son
of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered
in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly,
as an example of how to act.January 28
The cross exemplifies every virtue
hy did the Son
of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered
in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly,
as an example of how to act.
It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on the account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
If you seek the example of love: Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
| Augustine Day By Day | The Augustinians - St. Thomas of Villanova Province |
From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.
HTML text prepared by David P. Steelman