Sunday, March 10 : John of Karpathos

Why are you downcast? See. Someone’s hands are fishy; a little oil makes them clean. How much more can God’s compassion purify you. For just as you have no difficulty in washing your garment, in the same way – and even more – it is not difficult for the Lord to wash you clean from all reproach even if each day you naturally have to experience temptation. Indeed, the instant you say: “I have sinned against the Lord”, the response is given you: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9:2). “It is I who wipe out and remember no more” (Is 43:25 LXX). “As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed your sins. As a father has compassion on his children, I have had compassion on you” (Ps 102[103], 12-13 LXX). Only do not keep away or distance yourself from He who has chosen you to sing and pray, but all your life long remain close to him either through pure confidence or by a holy audacity and courageous confession. The he will hear and purify you. Is he not God who has justified us in his love for human souls? Who will condemn us? (cf. Rm 8:33). If we invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our conscience is easily purified and nothing separates us from the prophets and other saints. For God has not destined us for wrath but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. So whether we are awake in virtue or asleep in some kind of woe or are bearing certain circumstances according to nature, we will live with Christ (1 Thes 5:9-10), turning our eyes towards him, sighing deeply, weeping constantly and only breathing him. Let us then put on the breastplate of faith and wear the helmet of salvation (cf. 1 Thes 5:8) that the arrows of discouragement and despair may not penetrate us.

maronite readings – rosary,team