From now on, through the cross, all shadows have been dispelled and the truth arises, as the apostle John says: “The old order has passed away; all things are new” (Rv 21,4-5). Death has been stripped of prey, hell’s captives liberated; man is set free; the Lord reigns; creation rejoices. The cross is victorious and all nations, races, languages and peoples (Rv 7,9) come to adore him. Together, in the cross we find our joy, exclaiming with blessed Paul: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6,14). The cross gives light to the whole universe; it casts out darkness and gathers nations together in charity into one Church, one faith, one baptism, from West and East, from the North and from the seas. It stands at the very center of the world, set up on Calvary. Armed with the cross, the Apostles go out to preach and gather together in adoration of it the whole universe, treading under foot every hostile power. Through it the martyrs have bravely confessed the faith, fearless of tyrants’ cunning. Having taken it upon themselves, monks have joyfully made solitude their resting place. When Christ returns this cross will first appear in heaven, the Great King’s precious scepter, living, true and holy. “Then,” says the Lord, “the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven” (Mt 24,30). We will see it escorted by angels, illuminating the earth from one end of the universe to the other, brighter than the sun, proclaiming the Day of the Lord.
maronite readings – rosary,team
