Feast of St Ephrem the Syrian, Deacon and Doctor of the Church.

"Brothers and sisters: Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3: 4 - 6).

Wednesday 9th June 2021, in the 10th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Ephrem the Syrian (306 - 373) Deacon and Doctor of the Church. There is so much to write about the accomplishments of Ephrem the Syrian.  Here is a few:
Ephrem had a keen intellect. His pen was like a sharp sword. Part of his genius is that he used poems and hymns to combat the heresies of his time. He expounded the mysteries of Christ and the Glorious Virgin Mary through hymns and poems. Ephrem had a great devotion to Mary and left us beautiful works on Mary.

Lessons of our key Scripture for today:
#1. The Apostle Paul is sharing with the Corinthian Church what he has learned from being a minister of the Gospel.

#2.  Paul learned to trust and rely on the merciful love of Jesus who called and him anointed for ministry.
#3. Paul never relied in his feeble efforts.
#4. He has no credentials to present except lives that Christ Jesus transformed through his ministry.
#5. Paul trusts in the powerful and merciful Providence of God working in him through the Holy Spirit.

St Ephrem the Deacon will say Amen to St Paul's testimony and every genuine minister of Jesus Christ who espouses the covenant of grace will say Amen.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com