Our Venerable Father and Confessor Theophanes of Sigriana (817); Our Holy Father Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome (604)
Great Fast Day 18. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Read
Proverbs 10:1-22
The book of Proverbs is introduced by a lengthy instruction about Wisdom in chapters 1-9 and is concluded by another instruction in chapters 30-31. These sections are easy to follow since they build arguments and tell stories over a number of verses. Today, however, we start reading the actual Proverbs: at this point, it can get harder to keep focused, since the individual proverbs are so short. Often, it will seem like one proverb has nothing to do with the next: the lack of cohesion can make it easy to get distracted or just give up reading.
One way to keep focus is to search for a proverb to meditate on. Once you’ve read a passage, go back to a verse that is saying something to you today. For example, today’s reading includes the verse: “whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.” This is a reminder that, though I am often embarrassed or frustrated when someone corrects me, the instruction and rebuke of others can make me a better husband, father, student, and disciple of Christ. Many of us hear Proverbs at the Presanctified Liturgy, where we also sing Psalm 140: “Let the just man strike me, it is a kindness if he upbraids me.” This sounds harsh (who wants to be struck, even by the most righteous person?!?) but the alternative is far worse –alienation from those I love because of my pride and refusal to change. The next time I am rebuked, may God grant me the grace to listen and change.