Wednesday, May 18 : Saint Caesarius of Arles

Human sin made the road rough but Christ’s resurrection leveled it; by passing over it himself he transformed the narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top – well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you – do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing. As well as telling us to renounce ourselves, our Lord and Savior said that we must take up our cross and follow him. What does it mean to take up one’s cross? Bearing every annoyance patiently. That is following Christ. When someone begins to follow his way of life and his commandments, that person will meet resistance on every side. He or she will be opposed, mocked, even persecuted, and this not only by unbelievers but also by people who to all appearances belong to the body of Christ… If you want to follow Christ, then, take up his cross without delay. Endure injuries, do not be overcome by them… “If anyone wants to be my disciple, let him take up his cross and follow me.” We must strive with God’s help to do as the Apostle Paul says: “As long as we have food and clothing, let this content us”. Otherwise, if we seek more material goods than we need and desire to become rich, we may “fall prey to temptation.” The devil may trick us into wanting the “many useless and harmful things that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1Tim 6,8-9). May we be free from this temptation through the protection of our Lord.

maronite readings – rosary,team