The Holy Martyrs Theodulus and Agathopedes and Those with Them (c. 305)
Isaiah 49:6-10; Genesis 31:3-16; Proverbs 21:3-21; Deuteronomy 1:8-17; Deuteronomy 10:14-21; Wisdom 3:1-9
Great Fast Day 37. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Read Wisdom 3:1-9
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
It is taught that the “three pillars of Lent” are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Whenever we pray Vespers or the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, we sing: “O Lord, I have cried out to You, hear me. Hear me, O Lord!” (Ps. 140(141):1). In today’s passage from Proverbs, we read: “If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard” (Pr. 21:13).
We are already in the last days of the Great Fast. Have we been fasting with sincerity? Have we increased our conversation with God through prayer? If we expect God to hear our cry to Him in prayer, how can we close our ears to the cry of the poor, to the cry of the needy? Let us remember the sobering words that Jesus will say at the Last Judgment to those who fail to do acts of charity for others: “‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me’” (Mt. 25:45).
Let today’s reading prompt us to consider whether we have neglected almsgiving this Lent. We still have time to consider ways we can give to others before we celebrate Pascha. As Christians, almsgiving should be a part of our spiritual life year-round and not only during these penitential days. Let us always seek to live righteously and be kindhearted, for “whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor” (Pr. 21:21).