Sunday, March 13 : Saint Jerome

“He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.” We might wonder why Jesus always takes with him these particular disciples and why he leaves the others behind. In the same way, when he was transfigured on the mountain, it was these three who would accompany him… The ones who were chosen were Peter, on whom the Church was built; James, the first apostle to have received the palm of martyrdom; and John, the first to extol virginity… “Then he entered the room where the child was and, taking the child by the hand, said to her: ‘Talitha koum’. The girl arose immediately and walked around.” Let us desire Jesus to touch us and at once we too will walk. Whether we are paralysed or whether we commit wrongful deeds, we find ourselves unable to walk. Perhaps we are lying on the bed of our sins as if on a real bed. No sooner will Jesus touch us than we shall at once be healed. Peter’s mother-in-law was suffering from high fever: Jesus took her by the hand, she got up and at once began to wait on them (Mk 1,31)… “And he told them to give her something to eat.” By your grace, Lord, touch our hands, we who are lying down; raise us up from the bed of our sins; cause us to walk. When we have walked, give the command that we should be given something to eat. Lying down, we cannot walk and, if we are not upright, we cannot receive the body of Christ, to whom be glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, for endless ages.

maronite readings – rosary,team