Thursday, May 30 : Saint Chromatius of Aquilaea

“They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak over him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head” (Mt 27,28-29). It was as king and prince of martyrs that Christ was covered with a red tunic… because he was radiant with his sacred blood as if with precious scarlet. It was as a victor that he accepted the crown because, as a normal rule, it is to the victor that crowns are awarded… However, we might note that the purple robe is also a symbol of the Church which, while remaining in Christ the king shines with royal glory. Hence the title “royal race” that John gives it in the Apocalypse (1,6)… For indeed, purple material is something precious and kingly. Even though it is a natural product, it alters its quality when plunged into a bath of dye and changes its appearance… Valueless in itself, its transformation turns it into something precious. This is how it is with us: of ourselves we are of no value but grace transforms us and gives us worth, like the purple material, when we are immersed three times into spiritual scarlet, into the mystery of the Trinity… Again, we might note that the red cloak is also a symbol of the glory of the martyrs since, dyed by their own outpoured blood, adorned with the blood of martyrdom, they shine in Christ like a precious scarlet robe. In former times the Law ordained that scarlet material should be offered to decorate God’s tabernacle (Ex 25,4). The martyrs, in fact, are the adornment of the Church of Christ… The crown of thorns set on our Lord’s head is the symbol of our coming together, we who have come to faith from among the peoples. Then we were no more than thorns, that is to say sinners; but when we believed in Christ we became a crown of righteousness because we ceased to stab or wound our Savior and crowned his head with our confession of faith… Yes, formerly we were thorns, but… we have become precious stones.

maronite readings – rosary,team