Jesus the Good Shepherd changes wolves into sheep

Jesus the Good Shepherd changes wolves into sheep

"How then does [Jesus] command the holy apostles, who are innocent men
and 'sheep,' to seek the company of wolves, and go to them of their
own will? Is not the danger apparent? Are they not set up as ready
prey for their attacks? How can a sheep prevail over a wolf? How can
one so peaceful conquer the savageness of beasts of prey? 'Yes,' he
says, 'for they all have me as their Shepherd: small and great, people
and princes, teachers and students. I will be with you, help you, and
deliver you from all evil. I will tame the savage beasts. I will
change wolves into sheep, and I will make the persecutors become the
helpers of the persecuted. I will make those who wrong my ministers to
be sharers in their pious designs. I make and unmake all things, and
nothing can resist my will.'"
 by Cyril of Alexandria (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 61)

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    =E2=80=A2 October 24th - St. Marcius of Monte Cassino, OSB, Hermit (RM)
(Also known as Mark, Martin, Marcus)
 died c.679

He is an Italian hermit at Monte Cassino, mentioned by St. Gregory the
Great in the life of Saint Benedict. The Cassinese tradition adds the
Marcius (or Martin) became a monk at the abbey and then retired to a
cave on Mount Massicus (Mondragone) where he died.

Mark lived as a hermit in a cave in Campania, Italy. He had in his
early days, he said, suffered many temptations of the devil and came
to fear no earthly danger. His cave was not very safe, and one
overhanging rock seemed likely to fall at any moment. Some of his
followers begged leaven to loosen it, so as to let it crash down
harmlessly. Mark agreed--provided that he could stay in the cave while
they worked.

His friends had no choice but to agree, and the saint meditated,
unconcerned that at any moment the rock might come crashing down and
kill him. Fortunately, it missed.

Then he took to chaining himself to the ground. At this St. Benedict
of Nursia intervened. Mark, he believed, was indulging in public
display. Benedict told him that God's servants needed only the
spiritual chains of Christ to bind them, not links of iron. Rebuked,
Mark humbly threw his chain away (Benedictines, Bentley).

In art, Marcus is represented as a hermit to whom an angel brings the
Blessed Sacrament in a spoon. Sometimes there is a wolf bringing him a
stray sheep (Roeder) .


Saint Quote:
Not only do they offend thee, O Lady, who outrage thee, but thou art
also offended by those who neglect to ask thy favors . . . He who
neglects the service of the Blessed Virgin will die in his sins . . .
He who does not invoke thee, O Lady, will never get to Heaven . . .
Not only will those from whom Mary turns her countenance not be saved,
but there will be no hope of their salvation . . . No one can be saved
without the protection of Mary.
--Saint Bonaventure, Cardinal-Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Bible Quote:
"I look up at your heavens, shaped by your fingers, at the moon and
the stars you set firm--what are human beings that you spare a thought
for them, or the child of Adam that you care for him? Yet you have
made him a little less than a god, you have crowned him with glory and
beauty, and made him lord of the works of your hands, put all things
under his feet..." Psalm 8:3-6


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The easy roads are crowded,
And the level roads are jammed;
The pleasant little rivers
With the drifting folks are crammed,
But off yonder where it's rocky,
Where you get a better view,
You will find the ranks are thinning
And the travelers are few.
Where the going's smooth and pleasant
You will always find the throng,
For the many, more's the pity,
Seem to like to drift along.
But the steps that call for courage
And the task that's hard to do,
In the end results in glory
For the never-wavering few.