The Holy Martyr Agapius and the Six Martyrs with Him (284-305)
Great Fast Day 24. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 26:21-27:9: Presanctified – Genesis 9:18-10:1; Proverbs 12:23-13:10.
Read Genesis 9:18-10:1
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is a powerful prayer and an indispensable part of our Lenten journey and the various Lenten Services. It helps us realize our own sins, repent of them, and work towards building the corresponding virtues. One of those virtues we ask for, in the second paragraph of the prayer, is love. Now love has many worldly meanings but for us Christians, love can be seen as the desire for the absolute best for the other.
Ham, having seen his father’s nakedness, does not show him love. He laughs at him, mocks him, and tries to entice others to do the same. Shem and Japheth, having heard about their father’s nakedness and loss of self-control, desire the best for him, namely that his sin no longer be an opportunity for derision and laughter.
It is very easy for us to notice the sins of others, especially when they are repugnant, unpleasant, or very public. When we notice these sins, may we grieve over them and strive to love that person, despite their sin. As we pray the Prayer of St. Ephraim, may we recall the example of Shem and Japheth and always desire what is truly best for others in our lives.