Saturday, April 6 : Saint Ephrem

The apostles were sitting there in the Cenacle, the Upper Room, waiting for the Holy Spirit’s coming. Like torches they were present there, ready and waiting to be set alight by the Holy Spirit so as to illumine the whole creation with their teaching… They were there like farm hands carrying seed in their coat pocket waiting for the order to go out and sow. They were there like sailors whose boat is tied up in the harbor of the Son’s commandment and who are waiting for the gentle wind of the Spirit. They were there like shepherds who have just received their staff from the Chief Shepherd of the fold and who are waiting for the flock to be divided among them. “And they began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” O Cenacle, kneading trough into which has been thrown the leaven leavening the whole world! O Cenacle, mother of all the churches, who have witnessed the miracle of the burning bush (Ex 3). O Cenacle, amazing Jerusalem with a wonder far greater than that of the burning furnace which astonished the inhabitants of Babylon (Dn 3). The fire of the furnace burned all those around it but protected those in its midst; the flames of the Cenacle gather together those outside who wish to see them while bringing comfort to those who receive them. O fire, whose coming is word, whose silence is light! O fire, establishing hearts in thankfulness!… Some people, who were opposed to the Holy Spirit, said: “These people have had too much new wine; they are drunk.” Indeed, you speak truly! However, it isn’t as you think it is. It isn’t wine from the vineyard they have drunk. It is a new wine that flows from heaven: a wine newly pressed on Golgotha. The apostles caused it to be drunk and thus they inebriated all creation. This is wine that was pressed on the cross.

maronite readings – rosary,team