Tuesday, March 12 : Saint Maximus of Turin

The number forty, dearest brethren, has a symbolic significance that is linked to the mystery of our salvation. For when, at the beginning of time, man’s wickedness had spread over the face of the earth, it was for forty days that God caused water to fall from heaven and inundated the whole earth beneath the rains of the flood (Gn 7). From that time on salvation history was made known symbolically: for forty days rain fell to purify the world and now, too, during the forty days of Lent, mercy is offered us so that we, too, may purify ourselves… Yes, the flood symbolizes baptism; what took place then is accomplished again today… When the whole world’s sins vanished, drowned in the depths of the abyss, holiness was able to rise up heavenwards, and this, too, is what takes place now in the Church of Christ… Supported by the waters of baptism, she rises heavenwards; superstition and idols are swallowed up and faith spreads over the earth, sprung from the Savior’s bow… Undoubtedly, we ourselves are sinners… and this world will be destroyed. They alone will escape destruction whom the bow will bear enclosed in its womb. The bow is the Church… Yes, we tell you: this world will come to shipwreck; and that is why we exhort you, all you people, to take refuge within this sanctuary.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team