Saturday, December 16 : Saint Augustine

By God’s will, the man sent to testify to Christ is himself so great in grace that he could be mistaken for Christ. For Christ himself said: “History has not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer.” (Mt 11:11) If no one among human beings is greater than this man, the one who overtakes him is more than a human being. How great is the testimony Christ gives himself! But for sick and disabled eyes, it is difficult for the day to testify to itself; sick eyes fear it, they can only bear the light of a lamp. That is why before appearing, the Day let itself be preceded by a lamp. This light sent into faithful hearts will confound the unfaithful hearts. David, the prophet-king, said in a Psalm (132:17): “I will place a lamp for my anointed.” God is speaking through David: I have placed John to be the Savior’s herald, the precursor of the Judge who is to come, the friend of the awaited bridegroom. “I will place a lamp for my anointed.”
maronite readings – rosary,team