Monday, February 5 : Isaac the Syrian

We shouldn’t desire or seek out visible signs without necessity when our Lord is always ready to come to the aid of his saints. He doesn’t make his power known in outward works or signs so as not to diminish the help we receive from him or cause us harm. This is how he supplies for the needs of his saints. He wants to show them that the hidden watchfulness he bears towards them never leaves them for a moment but nevertheless, in all things, he leaves them to undertake the combat according to their strength and take the trouble to pray. But if some difficulty upsets them, as when they are sick or discouraged because of the weakness of their nature, he himself does everything in his power that they may be helped as they need and as he alone knows how. He strengthens them within as much as he can that they may have the strength to bear their difficulties. For he undoes their distress in the trust he gives them and arouses them to glorify him by this faith’s vision… Nevertheless, if there is a need for this secret assistance to be made explicit then he does so, but only by necessity. His ways are ways of great wisdom; they extend as far as need and necessity, but not just anyhow.

maronite readings – rosary,team