Our Venerable Father Timothy of Symbola (8th c.). Our Holy Father Eustathius, Archbishop of Great Antioch (338).
Great Fast Day 10. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 5:16-26. Presanctified – Genesis 4:16-26. Proverbs 5:15-6:3.
Read Isaiah 5:16-26
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah, we hear so many “woes.” Among the woes listed, we hear: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Is. 5:20-21).
There is so much moral confusion in our world today. Listening to the news or discussing current events, it is easy to find opposing viewpoints over what is considered “good” and what is “evil.” Tragically, we can even find opposing viewpoints among fellow Christians! The reading from Isaiah continues: “Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascent like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Is. 5:24).
Let us be on guard against being “wise in our eyes” and “prudent in our own sight.” Our own judgments can be limited, and we must have humility to accept correction. Our morality must be aligned with “the word of the Holy One of Israel.” As humans, we have consciences, but it is our responsibility to make sure we have “well-formed” consciences. Deepening our relationship with God through prayer and our knowledge of His Word through the study of the sacred scriptures and the teachings of the Church are important for the formation of our consciences. Today, let us pray that God may deliver us from confusion and help us to always walk in the light of His commandments.