Clean Monday. The Holy Priest-Martyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (155-56)
First day of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat, dairy and eggs, and foods that contain these ingredients. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
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Proverbs – 1:1-20
As we begin Great Fast today, the Church through her lectionary offers us daily readings from the Book of Proverbs of Solomon. This Book was written that one might know Christ, the Wisdom of God. As St. Paul pointed out, Christ is “the power and wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). This Book is meant to enable one to partake of the virtues Wisdom begets in those who obey Him. The Author behind the author (Solomon) is Wisdom Himself, the Son and Word of God. It is with this understanding that we ought to approach the instructions found in this book.
The word instruction incorporates several aspects: teaching, correction, discipline, reproof, learning, education, and training. The purpose of correction and disciplining oneself is to remove the deception of sin, so the God-given virtues in one’s nature can manifest themselves in the holy lives we are called to live daily.
Let us approach the words written in this book with open heart and mind. May Christ, the Wisdom of God, illuminate us for understanding of His wise words and may we begin this Great Fast with a fear of God.