Tuesday, August 31 : Saint Bruno of Segni

“And as they went they were cleansed.” Let all sinners listen to this and try to understand it. It is easy for the Lord to forgive sins. Sinners have often been forgiven before they came to a priest. In fact, their repentance and healing occur simultaneously: at the very moment of their conversion they pass from death to life. Let them understand, however, what this conversion means; let them heed the Lord’s words: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments” (Jl 2,12). To be really converted one must be converted inwardly, in one’s heart… “One of them, when he saw that he was cured, went back again, praising God at the top of his voice.” In truth, this man stands for all those who, after their cleansing by the waters of baptism or healing by the sacrament of penance, renounce the devil and take Christ as their model, following him with praise, adoration, and thanksgiving, and nevermore abandoning his service. “And Jesus said to him: Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” Great, therefore, is the power of faith. “Without it”, as the Apostle says, “it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11,6). “Abraham believed God and because of this God regarded him as righteous” (Rom 4,3). Faith saves, faith justifies, faith heals both body and soul.

maronite readings – rosary,team