Our Holy Mother Matrona of Thessalonica.
Day 40 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 66:10-24; Presanctified – Genesis 49:33-50:26; Proverbs 31:8-31.
Read Genesis 49:33-50:26
The death of Jacob in the land of Egypt, a foreign land, and his transfer to the land of Canaan, the promised land reminds us of how we long to return to our homeland. We also see the same scenario take place with Joseph and his desire that his remains be taken out from the land of Egypt. This homeland that we long to return to is Paradise. But even a return to an earthly paradise would still be an exile from the true promised land which is Heaven itself. We can also see how any attempt on our part to create an earthly utopia is doomed to fail. No earthly paradise that we might create would satisfy our true longing, which is God Himself. Our true origin is from God and our true desire is to see God. Therefore, let us remember not to cling to the things of this world and instead try to focus on coming face to face with God.