The Holy Martyr Agapius and the Six Martyrs with Him (284-305)
Great Fast Day 32. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Read
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 42:5-16
Vespers – Genesis 18:20-33; Proverbs 16:17-17:17
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
After reading about Abraham’s bargaining with the Lord God for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, some us may be thinking that Abraham was rather brash with God. Who would ever bargain with God?! Who would ever think of doing such a thing?
Let’s be honest here… most of us have tried to bargain with God. We ask Him for the things we would like to have: winning the lottery, getting a better car, etc.; to the things that we need: getting a good grade on a test, that the medical test be negative/positive, etc.; to the things that we long for: that I may be welcomed, that I may be loved…
Most of the things that we bargain for with the Lord often have “me” or “us” as having some better portion or being spared from some action. It has “me” or “us” at the centre. Notwithstanding the fact that we indeed need to supplicate the Lord for “me” and “us” at times, especially in times of oppression (like the war in Ukraine, in Syria, etc.), perhaps we need to learn something of Abraham’s bargaining.
Abraham knew the Lord – he walked with God. He had an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord and Creator of the universe. So, when the Lord said to Abraham that he was going to check out those in Sodom and Gomorrah because of the reports that had come to Him, Abraham, having known the Lord, responded out of love for the inhabitants of these cities, and out of love for Lot and his family. It was out of love for others, having known the love of the Lord, that Abraham began to bargain. The centre was not “me” or “us” – rather the centre was the Lord’s will and “other.”
Lord, help in my prayer with You. As I repent of my many sins, let not my prayer be a directive to do my bidding; rather, let it be like with Abraham, a walking with You, conversing with You, learning how to love as You love, listening to You, and doing as You will. All glory belongs to You, O Lord!