Celebrating the Sunday of Finding the Lord in the Temple

 

"Why is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" ( Lk 2:49)

Description of the Icon:

The last icon of the Nativity Cycle, for the second Sunday after Christmas, features the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple, amongst the Doctors of Law. In this icon, Christ is represented as young in years, but filled with the wisdom of all eternity. Seated upon a decorative platform, He is raised above the religious teachers, who sit in the posture of students at His feet, amazed at His learning and teaching. They hold scrolls which represent the Old Testament Law and Prophets, while Christ Himself, the living Word of God, is the fulfillment of the law and the prophecies, in Person.

Luke 2:41-52 (English Standard Version)

Jesus as a Boy in the Temple

 ⁴¹Now^(A) his parents went^(B) to Jerusalem every year at^(C) the Feast of the Passover. ⁴²And when he was twelve years old,^(D) they went up according to custom. ⁴³And when the feast^(E) was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.^(F) His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶After three days they found him in the temple,^(G) sitting among^(H) the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸And when his parents^[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold,^(I) your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." ⁴⁹And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that^(J) I must be in^(K) my Father’s house?"^{[b] 50}And^(L) they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. ⁵¹And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And^(M) his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.  ⁵²And Jesus^(N) increased in wisdom and in stature^[c] and in favor with God and man.

Notes:
This story of Jesus as a boy in the Temple is one of my favorites.  Growing up in my family home, there in the open in our home was a Bible for everyone to read.  Also, hanging on one of the walls was a picture of Jesus in the Temple just as the Evangelist has written above.  This picture of Jesus in the Temple was a gift to my Mother Theresa Hasham-Dunn from Rt. Rev. Chorbishop Louis Khalil.  This picture of Jesus was a special picture for my mother. This picture now hangs in my home and is constant reminder of the Child Jesus in the Temple, St. Theresa Maronite Catholic Church in Brockton, MA., Rt. Rev. Chorbishop Louis Khalil and my mother.  It is my prayer for you that the Child Jesus will always be with you, today and the coming year ahead.

The Birth of Our Lord - Maronite Icon of the Nativity

"Behold, a virgin, shall be with a child, and bear a Son and they shall call His name Emmanuel," which is translated, "God with us." (Mt 1:23; Is 7:14)

Description of the Icon

This icon of the Nativity is in honor of the Virgin Mary and her unique role in the mystery of the Incarnation. Around the oval mandala, containing the representation of the Nativity, depicted in decorative form, are shown many of the symbols of Our Lady and of the Incarnation that are found in the Holy Scriptures and described in the old Syriac Hymns of the Church, especially those of St. Ephraim. The angels, descending form heaven, act as attendants at this Holy Birth and as deacons at this sacramental mystery. Their hands are covered with cloths, in reverence and service to the Christ Child. Two angels reach down from heaven to announce the good news of the birth of a Savior; the simple, poor shepherds gladly respond. Joseph contemplates the awesomeness of this event. God is born a man.

Matthew, 1:16
 From the time after the exile in Babylon to the birth of Jesus the following ancestors are listed: ...Jacob, and Joseph, who married Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was called the Messiah.

The New Revised Standard Version of Matthew 2:1-12 describes the visit of the Magi:

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.

Genealogy Sunday - Maronite

Icon of Genealogy of Our Lord or Genealogy Sunday

"Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness." ( Is 45:8)

Description of Icon

In this icon, the genealogy of Our Lord is represented as the tree of Jesse, out of which grows the Messianic branch (Is 11:1). At the lower part of the tree, at the top of the trunk, is depicted Adam, the first man created in the image of God; at the top of the tree is Christ, the Perfect second Adam, born to redeem and save lost mankind. Between Adam and Christ are portrayed the most significant in the human line of genealogy. The entwining branches and leaves represent the fourteen generations from Abraham to Christ. We also see, in the top of the icon, portray of the Holy Trinity. God the Father is depicted by a Divine Hand reaching down into human history. In the center, at the top of the tree, is Christ the incarnate Son of God. At the top right is represented the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove. As for the shades of blue, they stand for the divine presence of God and for eternal light. The blues also stand for heaven and the greens for earth, as heaven and earth meet in genealogy of the Son of God.

This weekend we celebrate the Genealogy of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  We find in our bibles that there are two versions of the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament.  One can be found in Matthew 1:1-17 and the other in Luke 3:22-38.  This basic aim of any such list of descendants in the scriptures is the connection of each era to God's progressive plan of salvation which reaches its fulfillment in Christ.

The genealogy of Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises God mad to Abraham and David.  One can also note that there are four women, perhaps all gentiles that are also in this list.  the inclusion of these women may serve to indicate that Jesus cam to save all mankind and not just the Jews Mt. 28:19.  David was a sinner guilty of adultery and murder according to 2 Samuel 11:6 but is also included in the list, thus indicating that Jesus, who was without sin, was fully immersed in the sinfulness of humanity.

In Luke's Gospel it is more obvious in how it indicates the universal mission of Jesus.  He goes back from Jesus to Abraham, and all the way back to Adam, the son of God.  Therefore, showing Jesus as the New Adam, who begets a new humanity.

The Genealogies call us to trust in God's Plan of Salvation: all will be brought to fulfillment by the Lord in his own time and in his own way. In spite of difficulties, we are called to trust in the promises of the Lord.  Jesus himself, the Son of the Father promised the following: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not."

Post of the Day - Birth of John the Baptist

BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST ( Lk 1:57-66)

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways." ( Lk 1:76)



Description of this Icon:

This icon portrays the fulfillment of the promise of the angel to Zacharias. This joyful event is depicted in a traditional manner, especially in the background of the icon, where we see Elizabeth giving birth and all what surrounds it. The family is bathed in heavenly joy.

John is shown as conscious of his future role as Forerunner of Christ. Zacharias holds the central place, seated in the chair of prophecy, as the revelation from heaven descends upon him. Zacharias writes "His name is John", at that moment his tongue is loosened and he speaks praising God. This icon is full of greens, representing peace on earth and the revelation of God.

Post of the Day - Celebrating Sunday of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

 "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women." (Lk 1:28)

A Short Description of the Icon:



This icon is rich in Syriac tradition design and color. It symbolizes the joy of the announcement to Mary, that she will be the Mother of God.

The Virgin Mary stands in her house of prayer, portrayed in a posture of submission and acceptance, filled with joy and peace at the message of the Angel. The Holy Spirit is depicted in the form of a dove, descending upon her in his great act of divine mystery. To the left of the icon, we see Archangel Gabriel, stretching out his right hand to the Virgin Mary, in both proclamation and blessing. With his left hand, he holds the angelic staff. The blue semi-circle at the top of the icon, as depicted in all the icons of this series, symbolically represents the realm of the Divine and the presence of God the Father.

Post of the Day - November 25, 2010 Concecration of the Church Icon

Maronite Icon - Consecration of the Church

"Then I, John, saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Rv 21:2)



The Consecration of the Church Icon is a literal historical and Biblical, as well as an Antiochene representation of the Church.  According to the Syriac tradition, this Icon is read or viewed from the Right to the Left.  We will describe the pictures of this icon starting from the bottom Right, row by row.

The bottom section of the Icon shows the following symbols of the Church: the Ark of the Noah, the Ladder of Jacob, the Tabernacle of Aaron, the Daughter of Kings and of David, the Church in the bosom of Christ and Priests a the Altar of Mysteries.

The Next row shows the Old Testament history of the People of God, Adam and Eve and the angel guarding the Tree of Life, The Three Patriarchs with Moses and the Law at Mount Sinai.  in the center are the Old Testament holy places of worship, the Tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and the temple of Solomon. On the left are the judge Samuel, the prophet Elijah, major and Minor Prophets, the Kings David and Solomon and ending with John the Baptist.

In the Center of the Icon shows the Crucifixion in the Syriac style.  The second Adam, who has shed his blood to bring salvation to the sons and daughters of man.  Rising above the cross is the symbol of the Trinity, flanked by the tongues of fire representing the Pentecost and the birth of the church.  To the Right shows the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, of all ages and all nations led by the apostles Peter and Paul, groups of apostles, martyrs and confessors and the entire community of saints.

To the left of the Apostolic Church of Antioch, specifically the Syro-Maronite Antiochene Church, shows the Syriac Church Fathers, the founder and people of the Maronite Church.  Above the Church of Antioch is the emblem of the Maronite Patriarchate, the Monastery of St. Maron beside the Orontes River, the cedar tree and a snow capped mountain of Lebanon.  Opposite is the Tree of Life with twelve fruits for the healing of the twelve tribes and seven fruits fro the sacraments of the church.

From the Throne of God above runs the River of Life, the Mountains, clouds, whirlwind, lighting and firer depict theophany - the visible manifestation of God to Man.

The colors are symbolic too- gold for eternity; red for martyrdom and kingship; blue for heaven; white for purity and green for creation. The sun with twelve stars represents the New Testament Church, Christ and the Apostles. The moon and twelve stars stand for the Old Testament Church, the patriarchs and our Lady.

The top of the icon shows the New Jerusalem, the eternal bride of Christ, to whom Christ comes in glory, to make His dwelling place forever.

Post of the Day - Saints Cosmas and Damien

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, Saints Cosmas and Damian are venerated as a type of saint known as Unmercenary Physicians ("without money"). This classification of saints is unique to the Eastern Church and refers to those who heal purely out of love (Matthew 10:8) While each of the Unmercenaries have their own feast days, all are commemorated together on the first Sunday in November, in a feast known as the Synaxis of the Unmercenary Physicians.
The Orthodox celebrate no less than three different sets of saints by the name of Cosmas and Damian, each with its own distinct feast day:

• Saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia Minor — alternately, of Mesopotamia (November 1) Twin sons of Saint Theodota. Died peacefully and were buried together at Thereman in Mesopotamia.

Orthodox icons of the saints depict them vested as laymen holding medicine boxes. Often each will also hold a spoon with which to dispense medicine. The handle of the spoon is normally shaped like a cross to indicate the importance of spiritual as well as physical healing, and that all cures come from God.
In Russia since 17th century there was a priestly Kosmodemyansky family. Their family name was constructed by joining the names of Saints Cosmas and Damian (Kosma and Demyan in Russian). The family includes Saint Pyotr Kosmodemyansky (1872–1918), a priest murdered by militant atheists for his opposition to blasphemy, and his granddaughter Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya (1923–1941), the most revered martyr of the Soviet Union.

Prayer to Sts. Cosmas and Damien

Oh glorious martyrs of Christ,
Saints Cosmas and Damian, 
you gave your lives for the love of God,
benefiting your fellow man,
and crowning your martyrdom with an open and loyal profession of your faith.
You taught us to love God above all things,
and to love our fellow man as ourselves,
professing always,
and without fear,
the religion of Jesus.

Augmenting amongst the faithful populace many miracles,
you are glorious indeed.
Through your intercession,
which brings about deliverance of these miracles,
we pray to you for your aid in all things.
May your patronage never be far from us in the illness of our body and soul.

Oh great protectors,
Saints Cosmas & Damian,
assist us with your love and free us from all evils.

Post of the Day - Saint Martin De Porres November 3, 2010



St. Martin de Porres was born at Lima, Peru, in 1579. His father was a Spanish gentleman and his mother a freed-woman from Panama. At fifteen, he became a lay brother at the Dominican Friary at Lima and spent his whole life there-as a barber, farm laborer, almoner, and infirmarian, among other things.
Martin had a great desire to go off to some foreign mission and thus earn the palm of martyrdom. However, since this was not possible, he made a martyr out of his body, devoting himself to ceaseless and severe penances. In turn, God endowed him with many graces and wondrous gifts, such as, aerial flights and bilocation.
St. Martin's love was all-embracing, shown equally to humans and to animals, including vermin, and he maintained a cats and dogs hospital at his sister's house. He also possessed spiritual wisdom, demonstrated in his solving his sister's marriage problems, raising a dowry for his niece inside of three day's time, and resolving theological problems for the learned of his Order and for bishops. A close friend of St. Rose of Lima, this saintly man died on November 3, 1639 and was canonized on May 6, 1962. His feast day is November 3.
Saint of: barbers, innkeepers, public education, public health, racial harmony, social justice .

Pope John XXIII quoted during his canonization

In 1962, Pope John XXIII remarked at the canonization of Martin: "He excused the faults of others. He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins. He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty; lovingly he comforted the sick; he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor; he helped, as best he could, farm laborers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves: thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: 'Martin of Charity.'"

 

Post of the Day - All Saints Day November 1, 2010



Central Russian icon (circa mid-1800's) of selected saints.

All Saints Day is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day in order to ensure that all martyrs, known and unknown, were properly honored.

By the late fourth century, this common feast was celebrated in Antioch, and Saint Ephrem the Syrian mentioned it in a sermon in 373. In the early centuries, this feast was celebrated in the Easter season, and the Eastern Churches, both Catholic and Orthodox, still celebrate it then.
The current date of November 1 was instituted by Pope Gregory III (731-741), when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ordered an annual celebration. This celebration was originally confined to the diocese of Rome, but Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the feast to the entire Church and ordered it to be celebrated on November 1.

The vigil or eve of the feast, October 31, is commonly known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. Despite concerns among some Christians (including some Catholics) in recent years about the "pagan origins" of Halloween, the vigil was celebrated from the beginning—long before Irish practices, stripped of their pagan origins (just as the Christmas tree was stripped of similar connotations), were incorporated into popular celebrations of the feast.

A Prayer in Praise of Saints

How shining and splendid are your gifts, O Lord
which you give us for our eternal well-being
Your glory shines radiantly in your saints, O God
In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.
The white-robed company follow you,
bright with their abundant faith;
They scorned the wicked words of those with this world's power.
For you they sustained fierce beatings, chains, and torments,
they were drained by cruel punishments.
They bore their holy witness to you
who were grounded deep within their hearts;
they were sustained by patience and constancy.
Endowed with your everlasting grace,
may we rejoice forever
with the martyrs in our bright fatherland.
O Christ, in your goodness,
grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life.
Unknown author, 10th century

Post of the Day - St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter - October 25, 2010

St Tabitha the Widow, raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter

Saint Tabitha, the widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter, was a virtuous and kindly woman, belonged to the Christian community in Joppa. Being grievously ill, she suddenly died. At the time, the Apostle Peter was preaching at Lydda, not far from Joppa. Messengers were sent to him with an urgent request for help. When the Apostle arrived at Joppa, Tabitha was already dead. On bended knee, St Peter made a fervent prayer to the Lord. Then he went to the bed and called out, "Tabitha, get up!" She arose, completely healed (Acts 9:36).

St Tabitha is considered the patron saint of tailors and seamstresses, since she was known for sewing coats and other garments (Acts 9:39).

Acts 9:36-43 (New International Version)

 ³⁶In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas^[a]), who was always doing good and helping the poor. ³⁷About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. ³⁸Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"
 ³⁹Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
 ⁴⁰Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. ⁴²This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Footnotes:

1. Acts 9:36 Both Tabitha (Aramaic) and Dorcas (Greek) mean gazelle.

Post of the Day - St. Sharbel October 21, 2010

This image of St. Sharbel is the original prayer card that was issued in 1965 when he was Beatified by Pope Paul IV.  The brown and tan square in the lower right side of the image is a relic that was touched to Saint Sharbel's body.  This card comes from a private collection of the priest and his family who started the Order of St. Sharbel in the United States.

1. The Birth of Saint SHARBEL :Youssef Antoun MAKHLOUF was born on May 8, 1828 in BKAAKAFRA (North Lebanon) from Maronite parents. They are Antoun Zaarour MAKHLOUF and Brigitta CHIDIAC. He has two brothers: John & Beshara, and two sisters: Kawn & Wardeh. Youssef was grown-up on Christian beliefs which made him infatuated with prayers since his childhood. He was inclined to hermit & monk kind of life, following the path of his hermit uncles who were living in solitary in the hermitage of Saint Antonius of Kozhayah, where they handed him the championship torch of   virtues.
   His father passed away on August 8, 1831 in Gherfin, it is a village near AMCHIT, on his way back home after he was working in corvée for the Turkish Army, so his mother raised him as an orphan. Then she was married to Lahoud Ibrahim who became the priest of the parish, choosing the name ABDELAHAD.
   Youssef studied the principals of Arabic & Syriac in the school of the village. He was very pious, to the extent that his co-villagers used to call him the “Saint”. He used to take his small herd daily to the prairies and then he would go to a grotto where he would kneel in front of the Virgin Mary Icon and pray and so this grotto became his alter and his first hermit which became later a chapel for prayer and pilgrimage for believers.        
   
       
2. His joining the Lebanese Maronite Order :On the morning of one day in the year 1851, Youssef left his parents and his village. He headed for Lady of Mayfouk monastery in the aim of becoming a monk where he spent his first preparatory year and then he went to St. Maroun’s monastery-Annaya, where he joined the Corps of the Lebanese Maronite Order, choosing the name Charbel, one of the martyrs of the second century in the Antioch Church. On the first of November in the year 1853, he revealed his monastic vows in the same monastery. He was then well informed of the precise obligations of these vows: obeying, chastity & poverty.
   He continued his theological studies in the Monastery of saint Kouberyanous & Justina, Kfifan-Batroun, under the care of his teacher the saint Nehemtallah Kassab Elhardiny, who was the ideal for the monks and a living image of the great Sanctified Monks in his private & public life.
   On July 23, 1859 Brother Charbel MAKHLOUF was ordained a priest in BKERKY, by putting the hand of the triple-merciful Archbishop Youssef ElMarid, Vicar of the Maronite Patriarchy.
   
3. His life in Saint Maroun’s Monastery-Annaya and in St Peter & Paul hermitage :
   Father Charbel lived in St. Maroun’s Monastery-Annaya for a period of sixteen years. He was obedient to his superiors, sticking to his monkhood law precisely. He was ruthless on himself by living strict austerity and mortification. He denounced all worldly materials in the earthly life, to go to serve his Lord and the salvation of his soul. 
   During the year 1875 God inspired father Charbel to live in hermitage in St. Peter & Paul which belongs to St. Maroun’s Monastery-Annaya, in spite of the fact that the superiors usually, do not allow seclusion in the hermit easily. While the father superior was hesitating, he received a sign from heaven visualized by the miracle of the lamp. As one night, Priest Charbel asked the servant to fill the lamp with oil, but instead of oil he filled it with water. But the lamp gave light ordinarily. This miracle opened the sequence of the Charbelite’s miracles, and approached the day destined for the hermit to go to his desired secluded home.
   On Feb. 15, 1875 priest Charbel moved definitively to the Hermit, where he was the ideal as a saint and a hermit, spending his time in silence, prayer, worship and manual labor in the fields. He never left the Hermit except in a permission of his superior. He followed the life path of the Saints hermit fathers, kneeling on a dish of canes in front of the Eucharist, whispering to it and inebriate by it throughout the nights.
   He spent 23 years in the hermit, dedicating himself to the service of his Lord, applying the rules of hermits with precision and full consciousness.
   During the holy ceremony on December 16, 1898 he was struck by hemiplegia, and entered in a duel with the illness which remained for 8 days, during which he endured the terrible pains of struggle with death calmly, silently in spite of the severe aches. In his struggle Father Charbel continued his prayers which he could not finish in the mass: “Father of righteousness, here is Your son a pleasing sacrifice!...” he would repeat as well the names of Jesus & Mary St Joseph and Peter & Paul the Patron Saints of the hermit
   The spirit of St Charbel flew free, liberated going back to the dwelling of the Lord, just like the return of the drop of dew to the wider ocean, on the 24th of December 1898, on Christmas Eve. He was buried in the burial area of St Maroun’s Monastery- Annaya.
   
        
4. The mysterious light radiating from his tomb :
   After his death spiritual lights radiated from his tomb the reason for which his corpse which was perspiring sweat & blood; was transferred into a special coffin, after the permission of the Maronite patriarchate, and he was placed in a new tomb, inside the monastery. At that point groups of Pilgrims flocked soliciting his intercession. God blessed many of these by healing them and endowing them by other spiritual blessings.
   In the year 1925, a petition was raised to canonize him and declare his sanctity before his Beatitude Pope Bios XI, by father superior Ighnatious Dagher Tannoury, & his Vicar father Martinous Tarabay, where his plea was accepted as well as father Nehemtallah Kassab Elhardidni and Sister Rafca Elrayess in the year 1927. In 1950 the grave of St. Charbel was opened, in the presence of the Official Committee & Certified Doctors. They verified the wholeness of the corpse, and they wrote a medical report and put it in a box inside the coffin.
   All of a sudden, the healing happenings increased numerously & in an amazing way. Tens of thousands of pilgrims of different sects and rites flocked Annaya monastery requesting the intercession of the Saint.
   
5. The prevailing of virtues and miracles  of Saint Cahrbel world wide :
   St. Charbel miracles surpassed the boarders of Lebanon, and the Letters and reports kept in St. Maroun’s Monastery – Annaya are lucid evidence on the widespread of his sanctity all over the world. This unique phenomenon induced a comeback to good morals and a return to faith and a revival of virtues in the souls of people, and St Charbel Graveyard the center of attraction to all people of different social class and ages, and all became equal before him by prayers and piety, with no separation in religion or rite or sect. For him they are all called the Sons of God.
   But the curing registered in the records of St Maroun’s Monastery – Annaya achieved by God thru the intercession of Saint Cahrbel exceeds tens of thousands, excluding the healings widespread Worldwide to all colors, religions and sects, and these are not registered in the Monastery records. Ten percent on the curing were done to those not even baptized, and each cure was done in a different way, either by prayer and requesting intercession, or by oil & scent, or by the oak leaves of the hermit, or from the soil taken from his graveyard, or by visiting his grave and just touching the door of his tomb, or through his icon or statue.
   Some of these healings were on the physical level, but the most important is the spiritual healing of how many repentant returned to his God by the intercession of St. Charbel, just by the first step into the threshold of St. Maroun’s  Monestary- Annaya or the hermit of St. Peter & Paul.

Post of the Day - St. Theresa of Lisieux, The Little Flower

"My Little Way"

Thérèse's spiritual journey was a solitary one. The Holy Spirit indeed mapped out a way of truth for her. "I have never looked for anything but the truth" - showing her the depths of the Holy Trinity's love and a "way" of uniting herself with it which had nothing to do with classroom learning; but rather was rooted in everyday life. It was through divine intervention that her prioress (Mother Marie de Gonzague) asked her to record her life in writing and entrusted novices to her care, in turn revealing a spirituality unparalleled in one so young.

At the age of 22, a long period of searching came to an end. The "Way of Spiritual Infancy", which was to symbolize her contribution, was revealed to her. As a young girl, she energetically sought holiness.

"I must become a saint," she wrote in 1888 but was continually frustrated by her own helplessness and weakness. After reading in St. John of the Cross, that "God never inspires a wish that cannot be fulfilled", she found new courage (and this after 7 years of religious life). Conscious of her own weakness, but willingly trusting in God's Merciful Love, which finds its way even to the humble, she came to love her poverty. Her offering of herself to Merciful Love begins with these words; "God is asking me to do something, I cannot do it on my own, so He will do it for me". (June 9, 1895). From this moment on Thérèse lived the daring surrender of herself. A totally dependent child has no choice but to surrender itself completely to its father's merciful love.

Again, Thérèse discovered the truth of Jesus' words, "If you do not become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt 18:3). The way of "spiritual infancy" is Jesus' own way as a son - the supreme son, living only for his Father. Who is more fully an adult but Jesus or more fully a child? From this point on Thérèse lost her fear of sin, of falling asleep during prayer or any other imperfection - love had burned everything away. In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Thérèse writes about this "love".

"The practice of charity, as I have said, dear Mother (Mother Agnes, her sister Pauline, the prioress at the time), was not always so sweet for me, and to prove it to you I am going to recount certain little struggles which will certainly make you smile. For a long time at evening meditation, I was placed in front of a Sister who had a strange habit and I think many lights because she rarely used a book during mediation. This is what I noticed: as soon as this Sister arrived, she began making a strange little noise which resembled the noise one would make when rubbing two shells, one against the other. I was the only one to notice it because I had extremely sensitive hearing (too much so at times). Mother, it would be impossible for me to tell you how much this little noise wearied me. I had a great desire to turn my head and stare at the culprit who was very certainly unaware of her "click". This would be the only way of enlightening her. However, in the bottom of my heart I felt it was much better to suffer this out of love for God and not to cause the Sister any pain. I remained calm, therefore, and tried to unite myself to God and to forget the little noise. Everything was useless. I felt the perspiration inundate me, and I was obliged simply to make a prayer of doing it without annoyance and with peace and joy, at least in the interior of my soul. I tried to love the little noise which was so displeasing, instead of trying not to hear it (impossible). I paid close attention so as to hear it well as though it were a delightful concert, and my prayer (which was not the Prayer of Quiet) was spent in offering this concert to Jesus."

The vision of her own end was revolutionary - not rest but action.

"I will spend my heaven doing good on earth".

By St. Theresa

Post of the Day - Saint Francis of Assisi - October 10, 2010

Saint Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone; 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226)

Born to a prosperous family in Assisi, St. Francis realized as a young man that his life was to take a different course than one of earthly wealth and status. At a time when the Church needed a voice and witness to simplicity and total surrender to the generosity of God, Francis became a poor man because of his love for Jesus.

One day, during prayer at the church of St. Damian, Francis heard God speak to him through the cross of this beautiful, though neglected building. He heard the words, “Francis, go and repair My house.” He immediately began to restore the structure itself, only later to understand that God had called Francis to restore the Church in spirit and truth.

In 1224 Francis received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ, through which he grew in great holiness and closeness to the sufferings of the Lord. Francis was known for his gentle manner and humble heart, preaching the Good News even to the birds of the forest and fellowshipping with the wild animals living in the surrounding lands. Indeed, Francis considered all creation his family.

The founder of the Friars Minor, Francis made significant contributions to the growth of Christianity and the medieval Church.

In this icon Francis is shown with a symbol of the Cross of Santo Damiano and a dove of light. The forty-five main feathers comprising the dove’s tail and wings is equal to the number of years Francis walked this earth as a symbol of peace and purity in a troubled world

Saints Sarkis & Bacchus

Sts. SARKIS & BAKHOS
(St. Sergius & Bacchus)
Martyrs, c.-303

Saints Sergius and Bacchus were third century Roman soldiers. They were Roman citizens and high-ranking officers of the roman army. Sergius was an officer in the roman army, Bacchus an officer under him and both were serving under Maximian, the emperor, on the Syrian frontier. They died in 303 AD, Bacchus in Syria, Sergius at Resafa, Syria. They were commemorated as martyrs by the catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. They were a secret Christians. Their feast day is October 7. They were one of the most famous examples of paired Saints. The popularity of the cult of Sergius and Bacchus grew rappidly during the early 5th century, in accordance with the growth of the cult of martyrs, especially military martyrs. They were venerated as protectors of the army. A large monastery church, the little Hagia Sophia, was dedicated to them in Constantinople by Justinian I, probably in 527. Sergius was a very popular saint in Syria and Christian Arabia.
Legend
According to the greek text “The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus”, one day, Sergius and his Lieutenant Bacchus were with the emperor when he entered the temple of Jupiter to offer sacrifice. They remained outside and refused to sacrifice to Zeus. The emperor ordered them to come in and worship. After they refused and their covert Christianity was discovered, they were publicly humiliated.The emperor Maximian ordered that the officers be stripped of their arms, dressed in woman’s clothes, and paraded through the streets. Then he sent them to be tried by the governor, who had them severly beaten that Bacchus died under the lash. The next day, he appeared to Sergius and encouraged him to remain strong. Over the next days, Sergius was also brutally tortured and finally executed at Resafa, where his death was marked by miraculous happenings.
Saint Sarkis and Bacchus parishes
These two Saints are still popular in the East, where their names are common baptismal name. Some parishes in Northern Lebanon:

• Aslout
• Basloukit
• Amioun
• Kousba
• Zgharta
• Kobayat
• Kfifen
• Qnat
• Tourza
• Hadsheet
• Kafaraabida
• Miziara
• Bcharre

Prayer

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Saints Sarkis & Bakhos, the martyrs who knew the Christianity with the grace of the Lord, and believed in his Son Jesus Christ. You were the commanders in the Roman army, where you prayed to the Lord and your friends worshiping the pagan gods.
And when they discovered that you were Christians, you were ordered to deny Jesus, you refused and you declared that you worship Jesus only and him only you adore, you died as martyrs for your love for Jesus.
We ask you to intercede for us with God our Lord.
Be an example of courage and obedience, and teach us to long for the heaven similar to you.
And as you loved Jesus and bear witness to him in front of kings and governors, bestowing your lives because of your love for him, we ask you to pray for us that we also love Jesus and bear witnesses to him with our acts in front of everyone. Renew our Christian people in the East, and sow the seeds of faith in their hearts.
Let your blood that was shed on the lake of Forat, be a pledge for a new covenant and new peace for the Church , so we can glorify God our Lord with you forever and ever.


Amen.

Post of the Day October 6, 2010

Did you know that God is near you every day?

God is in the thick of things in your world. He has not taken up a home far away from you. He has not chosen to seclude Himself on a throne in a beautiful castle far away in another country.
He has drawn near. He has involved Himself in your work, your family and every part of our day. He is as near to us on Monday as He is on Sunday. As near in the schoolroom or in our home as he is in the sanctuary.

“He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  Isaiah 53:12

Read About St. Cyprian and St. Justina

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/10/sts-cyprian-and-justina-martyrs-of.html

Post of the Day September 30, 2010

You are Uniquely You!
There are many artists in the world who have created many special paintings.  There have been many composers of great music as well, each unique in their own way.  God made one version of you.  You are a custom design and you are one of a kind.  God gives out different tasks to each of us and you may not know it but he also gives you the skill set to accomplish these tasks.
Look around and see yourself. you are the one who knows all different types of math.  You are the one who is the chemistry whiz, or the attorney who knows all the laws and regulations.  No matter who you are or what skills you have or what type of job you may have, God has created you and you are uniquely you for a reason.  God assigns us different tasks according to our unique abilities.  as he calls you for different tasks, he will give you the tools you need.  Look back at your life, what have you consistently done well? What do you love to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and success and walk every mile, turn over every rock and do whatever is necessary to find your uniqueness.  Remember this, he gave to each according to his ability!

Post for the day!

In happy momments, Paise God,
In difficult moments, Seek God,
In quiet moments, worship God,
In painful moments, trust God and
in every moment......Thank God!