Sunday, September 12 : Saint Ephrem

“ ‘Which is the greatest and first commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said to him: ‘You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself’” (Mt 22,36-39). Love of God spares us from death and love of our neighbor from sin, for no one sins against someone he loves. But what heart is there able to possess love of neighbor in its fullness? What soul is there able to bring to fruition within herself, with respect to all humankind, the love sown within her by the precept: “Love your neighbor as yourself”? Our own resources are incapable, of themselves, of effecting this prompt willing, so rich in God. The only thing equal to the task is the fruit of charity, sown by God himself. By reason of his nature, God can achieve whatever he wants. But what he wants is to give life to men. Angels, kings, prophets…: all these are past; but humanity was not saved until He, who holds us by the hand and brings us back to life, came down from heaven.

maronite readings – rosary,team