Sunday, March 29 : Saint Proclus of Constantinople

This day, my beloved, is a day of the greatest importance. It asks from us great desire, overwhelming eagerness, a brisk going forward to stand awaiting the heavenly King. Paul, messenger of the Good News, has told us: “The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all” (Phil 4,5-6)… Let us then light the lamps of our faith: like the five wise virgins (Mt 25,1f.) let us fill them with the oil of compassion towards the poor; let us be wide awake to welcome Christ with palms of righteousness in our hands. Let us kiss him, pouring over him Mary’s perfume (Jn 12,3). Hear the resurrection song: may our voices be raised in a manner worthy of the divine majesty and let us, together with the people, shout aloud the cry that breaks out from the crowd: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel”. How good it is to say: “He who comes”, for he comes unceasingly and never fails us: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth” (Ps 145[144],18). “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” This gentle King stands at our door, bringing peace. He who is enthroned on the cherubim in heaven is seated on the foal of an ass here below. Let us make ready the houses of our souls, sweeping away the cobwebs of brotherly misunderstandings, and let the dust of malicious gossip not be found amongst us. Let us spread abroad the waves of our love and pacify all those clashes that arouse our animosity and let then us sow flowers of piety at the door of our lips. Let us then put forth with the people the cry that stirs the crowd: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”

maronite readings – rosary,team