Holy Venerable-Martyr Eudocia (98-117).
Great Fast Day 19. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 13:2-13. Presanctified – Genesis 8:4-21. Proverbs 10:31-11:12.
Read Isaiah 13:2-13
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s reading reminds us that the Lord is not pleased with humanity for we have become rebellious, coldhearted, darkened, hate filled and defiant to the Truth. We have distanced ourselves from the Lord God, and lack warmth toward each other. Isaiah reminds us that unrighteous living will come to a definite end on the day of the Lord, and it will be a frightful day. It will be like a decisive military victory. He will set the crooked ways straight. It will be a frightful moment for humanity as we will encounter clearly the Divine force that holds all things, and we will recognize how each of us, to greater or lesser degree, have oriented our lives in direct opposition to Him. Isaiah says, “therefore all hands will be feeble, and every man’s heart will melt and they will be dismayed.” (Isaiah 13:7). This will be a frightening moment when we see ourselves for who we have become before the Face of God.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us strive to oppose with in our hearts and lives the things that are in opposition to the Living God and do so with great enthusiasm. Let us allow the Lord God to expel the darkness of our lives and transform our hearts because Isaiah says that the Lord desires to make us beautiful: “I will make men more rare than find gold, and mankind then the gold of Ophir.” (Isaiah 13:12). Not only are we motivated negatively as we do not want to stand ashamed on that terrible day of the Lord, but we should desire to shine forth as bright witnesses as those who embraced the Truth and allowed God to lead and transform their lives.