Sunday, March 19 : Saint Peter Chrysologus

“My son, your sins are forgiven.” Through these words, he wanted to be recognized as God while he was still hiding before human eyes under the appearance of a man. Because of his manifestations of power and his miracles, he was compared to the prophets; and yet it was thanks to him and to his power that they had also performed miracles. Granting the forgiveness of sins does not lie within the power of human beings; it is what characterizes God. That is how he introduced his divinity into human hearts. It is what outraged some. They said: “He is committing blasphemy! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” O you who protest! You think you know, and you are nothing but an ignoramus. You believe you are celebrating the divinity, and you are denying it. You think you are bearing witness and you are dealing blows. If it is God who forgives sins, why don’t you accept Christ’s divinity? Since he could grant the forgiveness of one single sin, that means that he wiped away the sins of the whole world. “There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29) So that you might grasp stronger marks of his divinity, listen to him. Yes, he has penetrated the mystery of your heart. Look at him. He has come even to the hideouts of your thoughts. Understand that he uncovers the secret intentions of your heart.
maronite readings – rosary,team