Vigils Reading

A COMMON SHARING OF

CHRIST’S CROSS

From a sermon by St Leo the Great

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Among all the Christian solemnities the Paschal Mystery holds chief

place, dearly beloved; for this the practices of the whole preceding year prepare

us to worthily and rightly celebrate it. But earnest devotion is required of us

especially in these days which are close to this most sublime mystery of the

divine mercy. So it was right that the holy Apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit,

should ordain that during these days we are to observe severer fasts, so that we

also, by a common sharing of Christ’s Cross, might suffer a little of what He

endured for us, as the Apostle says: “If we suffer with him, we shall also be

glorified with him”. For where there is a sharing of the passion of the Lord,

there is a sure and certain expectation of our promised happiness.

There is no one, dearly beloved, to whom, because of the state of times,

this fellowship of glory is denied, as though the tranquility of peace gave us no

opportunity for the practice of heroic virtue! For the Apostle foretold that “all

who live godly lives in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecutions”. So where people

live in Christ there shall be no lack of trials or persecutions. The Lord Himself

says to us: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of

me”. Nor should we doubt that these words were directed not only to the

disciples of Christ, but also to all the faithful who are all taught unto salvation.

And as at all times we must live worthily, so at all times we must bear the

Cross, which for each one is rightly called his or her own, for it is borne by each

one in his own way and measure. Iniquity does not dwell in peace with virtue;

drunkenness hates sobriety; falsehood has nothing in common with

truthfulness. And this division awakens such enduring conflicts that though it

may outwardly seem to subside, yet never does it cease from disturbing the

inmost soul of the just of heart, so that it is indeed true that “all who will live

godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecutions”; and true as well that all this life

is a warfare. Let each faithful soul, learning from his own experiences, arm

himself with the Cross of Christ, that he may be found worthy of Christ.

So now I wish to awaken your devotion in regard to what this holy season

requires of us: that you beautify your holy and salutary fasting with works of

piety. And since we are especially to labor for the pardon of our sins, you can be

assured of the unfailing divine mercy if you likewise in your dealings with others

change every offense into pardon…

For no matter how great the offenses between one person and another…

we share a common nature; so that with what mercy we judge another, we shall

obtain mercy from God. For “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain

mercy” from God.