Monday, April 1 : Saint Romanos Melodios

«I say to my saints, once for all: Go out to the whole world and make disciples of nations and kingdoms. For all things have been handed over to me by the One who begot me (Mt 28, 18-19), the world above as well as the world beneath, whose Lord I was before ever I took flesh. Now I have taken possession of my kingship over the whole world and I, who alone know the depths of the heart, have a council of sacred ministers in you. «Go to all nations. Having cast the seed of repentance on the earth, water it with your teaching.» When they heard these words the apostles looked at one another, shaking their heads: «Where shall we get the speech and language to speak to all of these? Who will give us the strength, we who have neither learning nor sophistication, who are but humble fishermen, to struggle with peoples and nations as you have given us command, you who alone know the depths of the heart?» «Do not be anxious in your hearts any more; do not allow the Foe to trouble your spirit. Do not think like children any more… I do not want to overcome by strength; it is with the weak that I carry away the victory. I am not looking for those who philosophise: I have chosen «what this world counts folly» (1Cor 1,27), I who know the depths of the heart. «Therefore, go out to all creation. Water the seed of repentance you have sown with your teaching. Take care that not a single repentant soul remains outside your net. I delight in those who come back to me as you yourselves well know. Ah! If only the man who betrayed me had come back to me after he had sold me! Wiping away his sin, I would have restored him to you, I who alone know the depths of the heart… «Say that I am God and that I, the Inexpressible One, have assumed the condition of a slave (Phil 2,7). Show them how I made my own the wounds of the flesh… Buried because I had been condemned, I sacked hell because I am Lord…» Strengthened by these words, the apostles said to the Creator: «You are the God who existed before the ages began and you will have no end… We will preach you as you have commanded. Be with us; be our protector, you who alone know the depths of the heart.»

maronite readings – rosary,team