Friday, July 21 : Homily attributed to Saint Macarius of Egypt

The Lord comes to rest in the fervent soul; he makes it his throne of glory; there he takes his seat and makes his home… This house where its master dwells is all grace, order and beauty just as the soul in which the Lord abides is nothing but order and beauty. It holds the Lord together with all his spiritual treasure. He is its occupier; he is its head. But how dreadful that house whose master is out, whose Lord far away! It becomes dilapidated, falls into ruins, is choked with dirt and disorder. In the words of one of the prophets, it becomes “an abode for serpents and demons”. The abandoned house is filled with cats and dogs and filth of all kinds and how unhappy is the soul unable to rise from its disastrous fall, that lets itself be dragged away and comes to hate its spouse, tearing its thoughts away from Jesus Christ! Yet when the Lord sees it return to itself, seeking its Lord night and day, crying out to him just as he invited it to: “Pray without ceasing”, then “God will secure its rights” (Lk 18,1.7) – he has given his word – and will purify it from all wickedness. He will make it into a bride “without spot or wrinkle” (Eph 5,27). Believe his promise: it is the truth. See whether your soul has found the light that will enlighten its paths and the true food and drink that are the Lord himself. Do you still lack them? Seek for them night and day; you will find them.
maronite readings – rosary,team