Friday, August 16 : Saint Gregory Nazianzen

There is no way in which man is more like God than in his capacity to do good, and even if we are only able to do it to a wholly different degree, let us at least do all we can. God created man and raised him up after he had fallen so don’t you, on your part, despise anyone who has fallen into hard times. God, moved by man’s great distress, gave him the Law and the prophets, having already given him the unwritten law of nature. He took care to guide us, help us, correct us. Ultimately, he gave himself as a ransom for the life of the world… As for you, when you are sailing before the wind in the stern, hold out your hands to those who suffer shipwreck. When you enjoy good health and plenty, give help to the unfortunate. Don’t wait to learn to your own cost what an evil egoism is and how good it is to open your heart to those in need. Take care, because God’s hand chastises the presumptuous who forget about the poor. Learn your lesson from other people’s misfortunes and be lavish to the needy, even though it be with only the smallest forms of assistance. For him, who lacks everything, it won’t be valueless. Nor for God either, if you have done what you can. Let your haste to give supply for the insignificance of your gift. And if you have nothing, offer him your tears. Pity that springs from the heart is a great comfort to the unfortunate and a sincere compassion sweetens the bitterness of suffering.
maronite readings – rosary,team