Clean Wednesday. Our Holy Father Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza (420)
Great Fast Day 3. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
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Proverbs 2:1-22
The book of Proverbs was written sometime between 970-930 BC—a long time ago. It is fascinating to discover that the struggles of that time, which King Solomon writes about, are the same struggles we experience today: The struggle to find meaning, to live the Godly way of life and to bring up our children in holiness and righteousness. And just as we do today, the people of 3000 years ago are assaulted with temptations—internal and external—which pull us away from the royal path.
The author reminds us that we must make an effort with an act of will to open our ears and incline our hearts towards Divine Wisdom. Cry out in prayer to God for insight, as did Solomon who made his prayer to God for Wisdom. He reminds us that we need to desire the Truth as we desire money; in other words, use the desire which propels us to pursue the acquisition of worldly riches toward that which is truly good, beautiful and eternal. We have to ask ourselves this question: What do I give most attention to and what does my heart desire? There is a correlation between the two: the more I give attention to something the more my desire and love for it grows. Proverbs calls us this Lenten season to make an act of will and spend more time pursuing true Wisdom, so that my love and desire for God may grow for He is the true treasure.