Monday, December 6 : Byzantine Liturgy

Through his birth Saint John
Ended the silence of Zachariah:
Henceforward he would keep silence no longer,
He who is to father the Voice who cries in the wilderness (Mt 3,3)
And declare beforehand the coming of Christ.
Yet since his doubts concerning him
Had at first bound his father’s tongue,
So his manifestation restores his liberty.
Thus was announced, thus brought forth
The Voice of the Word, the Forerunner of the Light,
Who intercedes for our souls. On this day the Voice of the Word
Loosens his father’s tongue, held fast by lack of faith,
And manifests the fruitfulness of the Church
By bringing to an end his mother’s barrenness.
The lampstand goes before the lamp:
Behold the reflection of the Sun of justice (Mal 3,20),
The ray proclaiming his arrival
To restore all things
For the salvation of our souls. Behold him come forth from a barren womb,
The Messenger of that divine Word
Who must himself be born from the womb of a virgin;
The greatest of those born of woman (Mt 11,11),
The Prophet without peer.
For divine things must have a wonderful beginning,
Whether fruitfulness in advanced age (Lk 1,7)
Or conception brought about without seed.
Glory to you, O God, who work wonders for our salvation… O Apostle to all the world,
Subject of Gabriel’s message (Lk 1,36),
Shoot of the Barren One and finest flower of the desert,
Close friend of the Bridegroom (Jn 3,29),
Prophet worthy of our praises:
Pray Christ to take pity on our souls.

maronite readings – rosary,team