Maroniteparchy

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Greek language offers us a very helpful insight: the word for mercy is έλεος which is etymologically connected to the word for olives ελιές. The oil of the olive was the fuel of the lamp in antiquity. Our Lord uses the oil of the lamps as symbol of the necessity to be always attentive with works of mercy; this is the fuel of our lamps.

The oil of mercy! May we have it in abundance! The oil of mercy in our families; the oil of mercy in our Church; the oil of mercy in our workplaces; in our schools and in our parishes. It is possible to run out of the oil of mercy! When we remember past hurts, when we constantly see ourselves as a victim, when we refuse to forgive others; this is how we can run out of oil of mercy!

+Selim Sfeir

Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus

“Christian love breaks down every barrier, brings close those who were distant, unites strangers, and reconciles enemies … By its very nature, Christian love is prophetic: it works miracles and knows no limits. It makes what was apparently impossible happen … A Church that sets no limits to love, that know no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today.

Η χριστιανική αγάπη καταλύει παν εμπόδιον, πλησιάζει τούς που ήσαν μακράν, ενώνει τούς ξένους και καταλλάσσει τοὺς εχθρούς.