MEDITATIO

Let those who pray have words and petitions governed by restraint and possessing a quiet modesty. Let us bear in mind that we stand in the sight of God. We must be pleasing in the sight of God both in posture and the measured tone of our voices and not break out into clamorous noise. It befits the modest to pray moderately. In his teaching the Lord bids us pray apart, in solitary and retired places (Mt 14,23; 6,6) and even in our bed-chambers, because it is more befitting our faith to realize that God is present everywhere , that he hears and sees all, and that by the plenitude of his majesty he penetrates hidden and secret places, too. As it is written: “I am a God near at hand and not a God far off. Can a man hide in secret without my seeing him? Do I not fill both heaven and earth?” (cf. Jer 23,23-24). Let the person who prays not ignore this: how the publican prayed with the Pharisee in the Temple. Not by impudently lifting his eyes to heaven nor by insolently raising his hands, but striking his breast and testifying to the sins hidden within him, he implored the help of divine mercy. And although the Pharisee was pleased with himself, it was this man, rather, who deserved to be accounted upright. For he placed the hope of salvation not in confidence in his own innocence, for no one is innocent, but he confessed his sins and prayed humbly. And he who forgives the humble, heard him as he prayed.

maronite readings – rosary,team

Someone asked me the following: Many people would like to withdraw completely from the world and to live in solitude so as to find peace there, or to remain in church. Could it be that this is the best one can do? I say: No! And this is why. The person with an upright attitude is at ease everywhere and with everybody; but the person who is lacking in integrity is uncomfortable everywhere and with everybody. The person who possesses God alone has in mind only God, and all things become God alone for him. Such a person carries God in all he does and in every place, and that person’s every activity takes on a divine character… Certainly, for this, zeal and love are necessary as well as attentive watchfulness over one’s conscience, vigilant, true and effective intelligence, which directs our entire spiritual attitude where things and people are concerned. One cannot acquire that intelligence through an evasive attitude by fleeing from things in order to find refuge in solitude, far away from the external world. On the contrary, one has to learn an interior solitude wherever and with whomever one might be. One has to learn to penetrate to the bottom of things so as to take hold of God there… That is how we must be filled with the presence of God, remodeled after the form of the God of love, and we must be entirely one with him, so that God’s presence might illuminate us without our least effort.

maronite readings – rosary,team

Up with us then at last, for Scripture arouses us saying: “Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep” (Rm 13,11). Let us open our eyes to the divine light, and let us hear with attentive ears the warning that the divine voice cries daily to us : “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 95[94],8). And again: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rv 2,7). And what does he say? “Come, children, hear me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Ps 34[33],12). “Run while you have the light of life , lest the darkness of death overtake you” (Jn 12,35). And the Lord, seeking his worker among the multitudes to whom he thus cries, says again: “Which of you desires life and would like to see prosperous days? (Ps 34[33],13) And if hearing him you answer, “I am he,” God says to you: if you would have true and everlasting life, “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek after peace and pursue it” (Ps 34[33],14-15). And when you have done these things, my eyes will be upon you and my ears open unto your prayers. And before you call me, I shall say to you, “Lo, here I am” (Is 58,9). What can be sweeter to us, dearest brethren, than this voice of our Lord inviting us? Behold in his loving mercy the Lord show us the way of life. Let us therefore gird our loins with faith and the performance of good deeds, and following the guidance of the gospel, walk in his paths so that we may merit to see him who has called us into his Kingdom (1Thes 2,12). For if we wish to live in the dwellings of his Kingdom, unless we run there with good deeds we shall not arrive.

maronite readings – rosary,team