Today, June 9
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Ephrem lived from about 306 to 373. Although the details of his life have been lost, we do have many of his writings in the original Syriac, as well as in Greek, Latin, and Armenian.
Born in Mesopotamia, he was baptized at 18 and eventually became a deacon, but humbly refused ordination to the priesthood. After the fall of his home city to the Persians in 363, Ephrem retired to a life of solitude in a cave near Edessa and there wrote his commentaries and hymns. Recognizing the power of music and poetry to evangelize, he was the first to introduce hymns into public worship. He was called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." He died at Edessa on June 9th. In 1920, he became a Doctor of the Church, the only Syrian ever to be honoured in this way.©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
1st book of Kings 17,7-16.
The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to him: "Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you." He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." She left to get it, and he called out after her, "Please bring along a bit of bread." "As the LORD, your God, lives," she answered, "I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die." "Do not be afraid," Elijah said to her. "Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
Psalms 4,2-3.4-5.7-8.
When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress; have pity on me, and hear my prayer! Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood? Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one; the LORD will hear me when I call upon him. Tremble, and sin not; reflect, upon your beds, in silence. O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5,13-16.
Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
Daily Reflection
All elements are distinct in us and respect a specific order. The soul appears like a fire and, in it, reason is like a light; the soul is penetrated by the light of reason as the world is illuminated by the sun, so, through reason, it can foresee and know all the works of man. (…) The sun, obscured by a black cloud, hidden under lightning, thunder and heavy rain, no longer appears; when these cease, it sheds it's light again. So it is with the soul of man, so oppressed by the body that it acts according to the desires of the flesh and the interior light of reason is darkened; for anger is like lightning, greed like thunder, the unlawful desires of the flesh like torrential rain. When penance has cleansed it of its ills, it shines again in the clarity of the true light, illuminated by the hope of deliverance and salvation. The soul then exhales reason as the solar fire darts its rays, and, through it, discerns what is celestial and what is earthly. The soul of man is strengthened by the fire of the sun of the Holy Spirit to do good, but the cold of laziness and negligence debilitates it. The fire of endurance and the compunction of the spirit, mingling, make man produce good fruits, they comfort him and adorn him in everything that is useful so that nothing can separate him from the service and love of God.