Friday, March 8 : Symeon the New Theologian

Master, O Christ!, Master who saves souls,
God, Lord of all Powers both visible and invisible,
because you are the Creator of all in heaven
and under the heavens,
of what is under the earth
but also of what is on earth…:
you hold all things in your hand
because it is your hand, O Lord, that is the great power
accomplishing your Father’s will,
shaping, forming, creating
and guiding our lives in an inexpressible way. This, then, is what created me, too,
and called me into being from nothing.
So I was born into this world
yet wholly failed to know you, you my good Master,
you my creator, you who fashioned me.
I was in the world like someone blind
and as though without God since I did not know my God. Then you, in person, pitied me and looked upon me,
when you shone your light into my darkness, you converted me
and drew me to yourself, O my Creator.
And when you had snatched me out of the depths of the pit…
of this life’s pleasures and desires,
then you showed me the way and gave me a guide
who would lead me to your commandments.
I followed him, followed him without a care…
but not only that, when I saw you there – you my Good Master –
together with my guide and my Father,
I experienced inexpressible love and desire.
I was beyond faith, beyond hope
and said: “Now indeed I see the good things to come” (cf. Heb 10,1),
the Kingdom of Heaven is there.
I saw before my eyes those things “that eye has not seen
nor ear heard’ (Is 64,3; 1Co 2,9).”

maronite readings – rosary,team