Daily Bible Verse 101: The Feast of St Ephrem the Syrian, Deacon & Doctor of the Church.

Thursday, June 08, 2023

The Feast of St Ephrem the Syrian, Deacon & Doctor of the Church.

Jesus Son of David.

"As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?

"David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said:

"The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.’

"David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” The great crowd heard this with delight."

(Mark 12: 35 - 37).

Friday 9th June 2023 9th Week of 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. Let us consider these:

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. Ephrem had a great devotion to Mary and was not shy about it.

"David himself calls [Jesus] ‘lord’; so how is he his son?

Well let's consider the profile of one of the most admired characters in the Bible.

"I have found David, my servant." (Psalm 89: 21). The figure of David dominates much of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Who is David?

* The youngest shepherd son of Jesse of Bethlehem.

* He slew Goliath with a sling shot.

* He founded Jerusalem as the capital of a unified Israel.

* Committed adultery with Bathsheba.

* To cover up adultery, had Uriah killed.

* Psalmist and liturgist.

* Priest, Prince and Prophet

* Calls God his Father.

* God calls David champion.

* God calls David "a man after my heart."

Is it surprising that David is the most illustrious in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David? The choice, the call and the anointing of David increases our trust and confidence in Divine Providence.

June is the month the Church honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus.