Monday, September 6 : Saint Bernard

The prophet Isaiah says: “Behold, the name of the Lord comes from afar” (Is 30,27)… Who can doubt that there was some cause great enough to move so sovereign a Majesty to come “from afar,” and condescend to enter a place so unworthy of him as this world of ours? The cause was great indeed. It was his immense mercy, his manifold compassion, his abundant charity. Indeed, for what end must we believe Christ came? The search demands little labor, for the end and purpose of his coming is proclaimed by his words and works. To seek after the one sheep that had strayed out of the hundred he hastened from the mountains. He came for our sake, that his mercies and his wondrous deeds might be openly proclaimed to humankind (Ps 107[106],8). O wonderful condescension of God in his searching for us! o wonderful dignity of man who is thus sought! If one should wish to glory in this dignity, it would not be imputed to us as folly. Not that we need think anything of ourselves, but let us rejoice that he who made us should set so high a value on us. For all the riches and glory of the world, all that could be desired, all this is of little worth and even nothing at all by comparison with that glory. “What is man, O Lord, that you make much of him, or pay him any heed?” (Jb 7,17).

maronite readings – rosary,team