Tuesday, August 6 : Peter the Venerable

“His face shone like the sun” (Mt 17,2)… Covered with the cloud of the flesh, today the light that enlightens every man (Jn 1,9) has shone forth. Today it gives glory to this same flesh, displaying its glorification to the apostles so that the apostles might make it known to the world. As for you, O blessed City, you will enjoy the contemplation of this Sun forever when you “come down out of heaven, prepared by God as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev 21,2). Never again will this Sun set upon you; forever remaining itself, it will cause an eternal dawn to shine forth. Nevermore will this Sun be veiled with clouds but, shining forever, will give you the joy of a light that never sets. Never again will this Sun blind your eyes: it will give you the strength to look upon it, enrapturing you with its divine glory… “There shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain” (Rev 21,4) able to darken the splendour God has given you, for, as was said to John: “The old order has passed away.” This is the Sun of which the prophet speaks: “No longer shall the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night. The Lord shall be your light forever” (Is 60,19). This is the everlasting light that shines for you upon the face of the Lord. You hear the Lord’s voice, you behold his radiant face and you become as the sun. For we recognise a person by his face and to recognise him is the same as being illumined by him. Here below you believe in the faith; there you will see. Here you grasp something with the mind; there you yourself will be grasped. Here you see “as in a mirror”; there you will see “face to face” (1Cor 13,12)… Then will be accomplished the prophet’s desire: “May he let his face shine upon us” (Ps 67[66],2)… You will be glad without end in that light; you will walk in that light without wearying. In that light you will see light eternal.
maronite readings – rosary,team