10 MAY
SAINT SIMON THE ZEALOT
This is not Simon, the son of John, but rather the one whom Matthew refers to as ‘’the Canaanite’’ (for Cana of Galilee was his village) and whom Luke calls, ‘’Simon the Zealot.’’ Although nothing is known about his life, it is said that he evangelized Ethiopia and Persia. He lived and died witnessing to Christ. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
15 MAY
OUR LADY OF THE SEEDS
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of our Virgin Mother under the title of ‘’Our Lady of the Seeds’’. In origin this is an agricultural feast which arose from the needs of the farmers to seek God’s help for a fruitful harvest. The farmers were at the mercy of the elements and depended upon sufficient rain and good weather. As a result, they sought God’s assistance and begged the intercession of Mary for their crops.
In the ancient texts of the divine office we find this text which refers to the agrarian feasts of the Virgin:
The dew spread all over the region where John wrote the Book of the Virgin, in which is found:
‘’Let the memory of the blessed One be celebrated three times a year: in January, for the seeds; in May, for the ears of wheat; in August, for the grapes which symbolize the sacrament of life: Bless them!’’
The ancient texts speak of Mary’s protection not only in material terms of the crops of the field, but also of her role in the incarnation as the Mother of the Source of Life, Jesus Christ. Saint Ephrem speaks of Mary in this regard when he says that Mary became the field who received the grain of wheat in her womb and this grain of wheat, Jesus Christ our Lord, gives life to the world. Through the harvest we receive the gifts of bread and wine which become for us the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Hence, we pray during the transfer of the offerings:
”I am the bread of Life, said our Lord.
From on high, I came to earth, so men might live in me.
Pure word without flesh, I was sent from Father.
Mary’s womb received me like good earth a grain of wheat.
Behold! The priest bears me aloft to the altar.
Alleluia! Accept our offering.”
Let us put all our lives and the crops of the fields under the protection of Our Lady of the Seeds. May She assist us with her prayers. Amen.
FIRST SUNDAY OF MAY
OUR LADY OF LEBANON
On the first Sunday of May, we celebrate the memorial of our Virgin Mother under the title of “Our Lady of Lebanon”. The Maronite Church has always had a special devotion to the virgin, as shown by the great number of churches which are dedicated to her both in Lebanon and overseas where maronites lives. Moreover Mary plays a special role in the church’s liturgy: there are numerous hoosoyeh dedicated to her, qoley and hymns which extol her virtues, and constant petitions which beg her intercession. Mary is always seen in the Maronite liturgy as the Mother of the Lord, the Theotokos, in whose womb the Word took flesh:
”Hail Mary! In your virginity, you became the mother
Of the mighty One who fills heaven and earth.
Hail Mary! In your virginity, you became the mother
Of the ancient One whose name was before the sun was created.
Hail Mary! In your virginity, you became the mother
of the Creator who formed Eve and gave her to Adam.
Blessed are you, Mary, in whose womb dwelled in holiness
the only begotten Son who is one in nature and in splendor with the Father.”
It is because of Mary’s unique position of Mother of the Lord that the church knows that it can turn to Her and seek Her intercession with her Son:
”O Mother of the Life, petition your divine Son
to keep away from us all the effects of evil,
to preserve us from all animosity
and to strengthen us on our way.”
As we honor the Virgin Mother of the Lord under her title of “Our Lady of Lebanon’’, we pray for the land of our ancestors in the faith, for the whole Maronite Church, and for those parishes which are dedicated under Her patronage. May our Lady of Lebanon assist us by Her prayers. Amen.
