MEDITATIO

Today, my brethren, we celebrate a great feast: the feast of the house of the Lord, the Temple of God, the city of the Eternal King, the Bride of Christ… Now let us ask ourselves what God’s house, temple, city, Bride might be. Only with fear and awe can I say it: it is ourselves. Yes, it is we ourselves who are all these things in the heart of God. We are this by his grace and not by our own merits… The humble acknowledgement of our neediness arouses his compassion. This acknowledgement inclines God himself to supply for our hunger like a father and to cause us to find in him abundant bread. So we are indeed his house where the food of life is never lacking… “Keep yourselves holy,” it is said, “because I, your Lord, am holy,” (Lv 11,44). And the apostle Paul tells us: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1Cor 6,19). But can holiness itself suffice? According to the apostle’s testimony, peace is also necessary: “Strive for peace with everyone,” he says, “and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord,” (Heb 12,14). It is this peace that enables us to live together, united as brethren; it is this that builds up a wholly new city for our King, called Jerusalem, which means: vision of peace… Finally, it is God himself who says to us: “I have espoused you in fidelity, I have espoused you in right and in justice,” (his, not our own), “I have espoused you in love and in mercy,” (Hos 2,22; 21). Isn’t it true that he has acted like a bridegroom? Hasn’t he loved you like a bridegroom and with the jealousy of a bridegroom? So why should you not think of yourselves as the bride? So it is, my brethren, that since we have proof that we are the Father’s family because of the abundance of our supply, the temple of God because of our sanctification, the city of the great King because of our communion of life, the bride of the immortal Bridegroom because of love, it seems to me that I can affirm without fear: this feast is indeed our own.
maronite readings – rosary,team

As Polycarp entered the amphitheatre, a voice from heaven said: “Be strong, Polycarp, and have courage.” No one saw who was speaking, but those of our people who were present heard the voice… A great shout arose when the people heard that it was Polycarp who had been arrested. As he was brought before him, the governor asked him: “Are you Polycarp?” And when he admitted he was, the governor tried to persuade him to recant, saying: “Have respect for your age”… “swear by the Genius of the emperor. Recant… Curse Christ!” But Polycarp answered: “For eighty-six years I have been his servant and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my king and savior?” But as the other insisted once again… Polycarp answered: “If you delude yourself into thinking that I will swear by the emperor’s Genius, as you say, and if you pretend not to know who I am, listen and I will tell you plainly: I am a Christian. And if you would like to learn the doctrine of Christianity, set aside a day and listen.” The governor said: “Try to move the people.” And Polycarp said: “I should have thought you worthy of such a discussion. For we have been taught to pay respect to the authorities and powers that God has assigned us (for this does not harm our cause). But as for the mob, I do not think they deserve to listen to a speech of defence from me.” The governor said: “I have wild animals, and I shall expose you to them if you do not change your mind.” And he answered: “Go and call for them!”… He said again to him: “Since you are not afraid of the animals, then I shall have you consumed by fire-unless you change your mind.” But Polycarp answered: “The fire you threaten me with burns merely for a time and is soon extinguished. It is clear you are ignorant of the fire of everlasting punishment and of the judgement that is to come, which awaits the impious. Why then do you hesitate? Come, do what you will.” All of this happened with great speed, more quickly than it takes to tell the story: the mob swiftly collected logs and brushwood from workshops and baths… When the fire was prepared, Polycarp took off all his clothing, loosed his belt and even tried to take off his own sandals, although he had never had to do this before: for all the Christians were always eager to be the first to touch his flesh. Even before his martyrdom he had been adorned in every way by reason of the goodness of his life.
maronite readings – rosary,team

When one is being led by night across fields, through an unknown roadless country by a guide who follows his own ideas without asking the way of anyone and without revealing his plans, what can one do but abandon oneself to his care? What is the use of trying to find out where one is, of asking the passers-by or of looking at the map? The intentions… of a guide who insists on our trusting him will be contrary to all that. He will take pleasure in confounding the soul’s anxiety and suspicions. He demands a complete confidence in himself… The divine action is essentially good. it needs neither reform nor control. It commenced at the moment of the Creation and up to this moment it has brought forth novelties, its operations have no limits, its fecundity is never exhausted. This was done yesterday, something else is done today; the same action which is applied at all moments produces constantly new effects, and its manifestations will go on eternally
maronite readings – rosary,team