Our Venerable Mother Mary of Egypt.
Day 30 of the Great Fast.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 40:18-31; Vespers – Genesis 15:1-15; Proverbs 15:7-19.
Read Proverbs 15:7-19
As we continue our Lenten journey, the words of Proverbs invite us to look inward—not just at our actions, but at the condition of our hearts. Lent isn’t only about what we’ve given up or taken on. It’s about becoming wise—learning to live from a place of virtue rather than reaction, of peace rather than passion.
This section of Proverbs draws a quiet contrast between the one who is ruled by impulse and the one who is ruled by discernment. The wise person doesn’t just speak truth—they know when and how to speak, because their heart has been shaped by God. But when discernment is lacking, even good intentions can cause harm.
In the life of our Venerable Mother Mary of Egypt, we see that transformation played out. She began in self-indulgence, enslaved to appetite and pride. But her heart was pierced by grace. She withdrew into the desert not as a punishment, but as a place of healing. And there, over many years, she was slowly remade—becoming wise, gentle, and longsuffering.
By this point in Lent, many of us feel the weight of the journey. The initial energy may have faded, and the harder truths about ourselves may be surfacing. That’s when the real work begins. The saints didn’t grow in virtue because of perfect discipline, but because they stayed in the struggle. Mary stayed in the desert, wrestling with temptation, shame, and doubt. Over time, the Lord gave her a new heart.
Proverbs reminds us that a heart trained in virtue becomes a source of peace—calming conflict, seeking goodness, drawing near to God. That is the kind of heart we’re meant to be cultivating now, as Holy Week draws near.
Let us not grow weary. Let us stay in the desert a little longer. Like St. Mary, we are not alone. The Lord is at work. He is reshaping our hearts—if only we let Him.
Holy Mother Mary, pray for us on the road to Pascha.