Monday, April 18 : Saint Leo the Great

Let us not be taken up with the appearances of temporal matters, neither let our contemplations be diverted from heavenly to earthly things. Reckon as being in the past those things that are already almost not worth thinking about and let the mind, intent on what is permanent, fix its desires there where what is offered is eternal. For although “by hope we were saved” (Rom 8,24) and still bear about with us a flesh that is corruptible and mortal, yet we are rightly said not to be in the flesh if our fleshly desires do not dominate us. Yes, we are justified in ceasing to be named after that, the will of which we no longer follow… Let God’s people, then, recognise that they are “a new creation in Christ” (2Cor 5,17) and with all vigilance understand by whom they have been adopted and whom they themselves have adopted. Let not those things that have been made new go back to their former instability. Let not him who has “put his hand to the plough” (Lk 9,62) forsake his work, but let him pay attention to what he is sowing and not look back to what he has left behind. Let no one fall back into that from which he has risen. But, even though from bodily weakness he still languishes under certain maladies, let him urgently desire to be healed and raised up. For this is the path of healing; this is how we imitate the resurrection begun in Christ… May our feet be guided from the quagmire on to solid ground, for, as it is written: “By the Lord are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way. Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him,” (Ps 37[36],23). These thoughts, beloved brethren, must be kept in mind not only for the Easter festival but also for the sanctification of your whole life.
maronite readings – rosary,team