First Sunday of the Great Fast – Sunday of Orthodoxy, Tone 5; Our Venerable Father Timothy of Symbola (8th c.); Our Holy Father Eustathius, Archbishop of Great Antioch (338)
Great Fast Day 7
Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40; 12:1-2; John 1:43-51
The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated today.
Read Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40
St. Paul in his letter today to the Hebrews provides us with a list of faithful people from the Old Testament. This section might seem long to us, but in fact, this is an abridged version with some verses not included in our lectionary reading. St. Paul encourages us by showing us that from the very beginning, faith was shown forth through suffering. The faith held by Moses, David, Samuel and all the Prophets allowed them to persevere through suffering to obtain their hope.
This list doesn’t simply stop there, however. St. Stephen, whom Paul (still Saul then) will take at least a secondary role in stoning, will share this faith as well. So of course, will St. Paul himself through a life of suffering in pastoral and evangelistic ministry and finally through martyrdom in Rome.
If and when we truly suffer for the faith, we recognize that we have run to the Cross and not from the Cross. We have an indication that we are joining ourselves to the One who suffered for us. This is why St. Paul strengthens us by reminding us to keep our eyes fixed on the “finish line” of Our Lord and take courage from the cloud of “witnesses” who have run the race before us and who are cheering us from the heavenly stands as we continue our race!