Our Venerable Father and Confessor Theophanes of Sigriana; Our Holy Father Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome.
Day 10 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 5:16-26; Presanctified – Genesis 4:16-26; Proverbs 5:15-6:3.
Read Proverbs 5:15-6:3
We find a powerful warning about the dangers of undisciplined living and the call to embrace wisdom and self-control. The passage teaches that those who lack discipline ultimately bring ruin upon themselves: “He will die for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he will be lost.” (Proverbs 5:23)
A principled life—one governed by faith, discipline, and obedience to God—leads to salvation, while indulgence in passions and foolishness leads to destruction. The Fathers of the Church consistently emphasize this truth. St. John Chrysostom warns: “He who does not train himself in virtue will be easily conquered by his own passions, just as an unarmed man is defeated by the enemy.”
Living without discipline exposes the soul to temptation and downfall, whereas self-control strengthens our resistance to sin. St. Basil the Great also speaks on this: “He who rules his own soul is greater than he who captures a city.”
During this Lenten season, we are given an opportunity to spiritual train and to strengthen our discipline. Two ways to cultivate this are: Fasting with love and intention – Instead of merely abstaining from food, one should embrace fasting as an offering to God and a tool for self-mastery, uniting bodily discipline with our prayer. Daily spiritual accountability – Setting a routine of morning and evening prayers, Scripture reading, and examination of conscience builds discipline and keeps the soul attentive to God’s voice.
By embracing self-discipline, prayer, and virtue, we align ourselves with God’s wisdom, ensuring that we do not perish in folly but instead walk the path of righteousness and salvation. Let us strive daily to live principled lives, guarding our hearts and souls for the Kingdom of God.