Saturday before Meatfare: All Souls Saturday; The Holy Apostle Archippus
1 Corinthians 10:23-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36; John 5:24-30
Read Luke 21:8-9, 25-27, 33-36
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Our Lord in the gospel today warns us to be on our guard against falling into complacency or into the priorities and preoccupations of the world. Trouble, strife and worries will always be with us in this world, as well as enticements and distractions to living a false life. We are reminded to “be on our guard” or “watchful” in all that we do.
One way of maintaining this focus and discipline on the Lord is to regularity practice the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” This prayer refocuses our distracted thoughts and guards our hearts of temptation. As we prepare for the Great Fast consider taking up (or deepening) this amazing prayer as part of your journey!