Saturday, October 3 : Saint Thomas Aquinas

The Lord Jesus did not mention the seven spirits here without purpose; this may refer either to the violation of the Sabbath or to the deadly sins opposed to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Or perhaps the Savior wished to make the Jews understand the severity of the punishment that awaited them. It is as though he were saying to them: “Look at those who were once under the dominion of the devil and were then delivered from that tyranny. If afterward they fall back into lukewarmness, they bring upon themselves an even greater calamity. The same will happen to you. Formerly, you were under the dominion of the devil, when you worshiped idols and offered your children as sacrifices to demons; yet I did not abandon you. I cast out the devil through the prophets, and then I myself came to purify you completely. But instead of responding to such extraordinary graces, you have become even worse…” Therefore, still more severe punishments await you. This parable also shows that their souls, once stripped of every virtue, became an easier prey to the devil. Nor does this teaching apply only to the Jews; it applies to us as well. After being enlightened by the light of faith and receiving forgiveness for our former sins, if we fall into sin again, our punishment will be far more severe. For this reason, the Lord Jesus Christ said to the paralytic: “Now that you are well again, do not sin any more, lest something worse happen to you.” (Jn 5:14)

maronite readings – rosary,team