Lent Meditations
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Fri
Mar 13 |
am: Ps 69
pm: 73 |
Isaiah 7:1-15
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Hebrews 3:12-16
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Mark 1:35-44
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SECOND FRIDAY OF LENT – St. Sabinus, Martyr of Egypt,252 ( African and Oriental Churches)
LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Today we remember St. Sabinus of Egypt The Holy Martyr Sabinus was administrator of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. During a persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), St Sabinus and some like-minded companions hid in a remote village. His hiding place was revealed by a certain ungrateful beggar who had brought him food. The saint used to feed him and help him with money, but the man betrayed him for two pieces of gold. Sabinus was seized with six other Christians, and after torture they were all drowned in the Nile in 287.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY: On this Second Friday in Lent when we consider the call to a Holy Fast and commemorate one of the forgotten African and Byzantine saint Sabinus, we consider the gift to the Eastern church to the catholic faith and what they may teach us about a Holy Lent as we use the lessons from their lectionary. They have more to teach us…
Are you aware that On weekdays of Lent (Monday through Friday) the celebration of the Divine Liturgy is strictly forbidden in Orthodoxy? These are non-liturgical days, with one possible exception – the Feast of Annunciation on March 25th (in which case the Liturgy of St. Chrysostom is prescribed after Vespers). The reason for this rule is that the Eucharist is by its very nature a festal celebration, the joyful commemoration of Christ’s Resurrection and presence among His disciples.
However, twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, the Church prescribes the celebration after Vespers, i.e., in the evening of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (cf. the order of this service which consists of solemn Great Vespers and communion with the Holy Gifts consecrated on the previous Sunday. These days being days of strict fasting (theoretically: complete abstinence) are "crowned" with the partaking of the Bread of Life.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: Merciful Father, may our acts of fasting and penance bring us to a place of reconciliation and restoration so that our hearts may be open to your grace so that we may rightly prepare for the coming feast of the resurrection.
Lenten Discipline – Commit this day to a Solemn Fast, using the meal times as times to pray for those who do not have anyone to pray for them – let them know the love of Christ through your prayers. Try to attend a Vespers Service at the Orthodox Church.
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