May 9

ow can the same man be both the kingdom of heaven and a seed, and be described as both large and small? Because he had such great compassion for his own creatures Christ became all things to all in order to win all. He was God, as he still is and always will be in his own nature, and he became man for our salvation. Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! O seed by which the world was made, through which darkness was dispersed and the Church brought into being! In this seed hanging on the cross was such tremendous power that by a mere word, though bound itself, it snatched the thief from his cross and transported him to the joy of paradise. This seed, its side pierced by a spear, poured out for the thirsty an immortal drink. This mustard seed, taken down from the cross and planted in a garden, branched out over the whole world. This mustard seed sown in a garden sent its roots down to Hades, gathered together the souls that were there, and after three days raised them with itself to heaven.

From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.

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