Our Venerable Father and Confessor Basil, Ascetical Companion of Procopius
Isaiah 1:1-20; Genesis 1:1-13; Proverbs 1:1-20
First day of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat, dairy, and eggs, and foods that contain these ingredients. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Read Proverbs 1:1-20
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
There are really two types of fear. There is a fear that repels me from some person or thing or thought. And there is a fear the attracts me. When we speak of the fear of God, we speak of the latter. This type of fear is an awe of God. We recognise how great the Lord is, how small we are, and the wonder that He has called us to be like Him, always be His grace. When we practice that fear of God, it is then that we can attain wisdom – to know what is right and wrong, but also to have the prudence, fortitude, integrity , and courage to act, and when to act.
This is not just some type of idealism. No, we are speaking of the practical ways. Quite frankly, it is about practising virtue. That is what St. John Chrysostom wrote about this:
Virtuous living is really the source and root of wisdom, just as all wickedness has its source in folly. I say this because the braggart and the slave of passion are taken captive by these vices as a result of a lack of wisdom. For this reason, the prophet has said, “There is no health in my flesh. My sores are foul and festering because of my folly,” to indicate that all sin takes its beginning from a lack of wisdom; just as the virtuous person who fears God is wisest of all. That is why a certain wise man also says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” If then, to fear God is to have wisdom, and the evildoer does not possess this fear, he is really bereft of wisdom; and he who is bereft of wisdom is truly the most foolish of all. (Homilies on John, 41)
Throughout the Great Fast, which begins today, we have the opportunity to read and reflection Scripture, and apply it to our lives, and to practice various virtues. The Liturgical texts throughout this week will focus not only on the necessity of observing our own personal sin, but also to practice the corporal acts of mercy (giving food, drink, visiting the shut-in, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, etc.) Perhaps you can make it to Lenten Matins, or daily Vespers, or the Liturgy of the Presanctifed Gifts this week and listen and reflect on these wonderful texts.
We wish your first steps into the Great Fast to be joyful!