O how unutterable is the glory of the Passion

Today is September 14, the day of the Holy Cross. You can read of its history and background here.

Here is a part of a sermon from Leo the Great on the subject of the cross.


O how wonderful is the power of the Cross! O how unutterable is the glory of the Passion, wherein standeth the Lord's judgement-seat, and the judgement of this world, and the might of the Crucified!

Verily, O Lord, thou hast drawn all men and all things unto thee!

Albeit thou didst spread out thine hands all the day unto an unbelieving and gainsaying people, yet the world was made to feel and own thy Majesty!

Verily, O Lord, thou hast drawn all things unto thee!

For the senseless elements gave one wild cry of horror at the iniquity of Jewry ; the lights of the firmament were darkened ; day was turned into night ; earth quaked with strange tremblings ; and thus all God's works refused to serve the guilty.

Verily, O Lord, thou hast drawn all things unto thee!

For the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, and thus the Holy of Holies denied itself as a sanctuary for the ministration of unworthy priests, that the shadow might be changed for the substance, prophecy for realization, and the Law for the Gospel.

Verily, O Lord, thou hast drawn all things unto thee!

What was once veiled under types and shadows in the one Jewish Temple, is now hailed by the love of all peoples in full and open worship everywhere. There is now a higher order of Levites, a more honourable rank of Elders, a priesthood with an holier anointing. Thy Cross is for all men a well of blessings and a cause of thanksgiving. Thereby for them that believe in thee, weakness is turned into strength, shame into glory, and death into life. The changing ordinance of divers carnal sacrifices is gone ; the one oblation of thy Body and Blood fulfilleth them all. For thou art the true paschal Lamb that takest away the sins of the world. Thou art thyself the accomplishment of all mysteries, so that as now there is one Sacrifice in place of many victims, so there shall be one kingdom composed of all peoples.