THE FEAST OF ST SHARBEL MAKHLUF, PRIEST AND HERMIT.
FEAST OF ST SHARBEL MAKHLUF, PRIEST & HERMIT
"The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?”
"He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.
"To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich.
"From anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
"This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
"You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.
"Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13: 10 - 17).
Thursday July 24th 2025 is the feast of St Sharbel MAKHLUF (1828 - 1898). Lebanese Catholic priest, monk and hermit. Sharbel is known for his great devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament and his filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a great miracle worker during his life and after his earthly life.
In our Gospel for today, Jesus says: “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich."
What is the knowledge of the Kingdom of God that Jesus speaks of? It is not book knowledge. If it is book knowledge, the Blessed Virgin Mary although she had great knowledge of Scripture would not have been Mother and Teacher in the Church. Saints Anthony of Padua, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of the Child Jesus and so many other doctors of the Church would never have been doctors of the Church. The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Doctors of the Church were taught by the Holy Spirit.
One of the greatest mysteries of the Kingdom of God is the mystery of God's unfathomable mercy.
"Lord, your mercy reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds."
"How precious is your mercy, O God!" (Psalm 36: 6, 8).
The Blessed Virgin Mary has a profound knowledge of this mystery. She is childlike and the little one.
"And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior....
“And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him." (Luke 1: 46 - 50).
This knowledge is so profound that the Church uses the Magnificat of Mary every day in Vespers going back possibly to the beginning of the Church. Mary, the Simple One is also Seat of Wisdom, one of her titles from ancient times.
Other Little Ones who have knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God are: Saints Catherine of Siena, Therese of the Child Jesus, Lawrence Brindisi, Maria Faustina, Teresa of Avila, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, etc.
The Church honors the Most Sacred Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
"Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Save us." (Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ).
For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:
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