The Holy Martyr Conon.
Day 3 of the Great Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain these ingredients. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 2:3-11; Presanctified – Genesis 1:24-2:3; Proverbs 2:1-22.
Read Proverbs 2:1-22
Proverbs calls us to diligently seek wisdom, saying, “if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5, RSV-2CE). Just as the world relentlessly pursues wealth, we are called to pursue wisdom with equal, if not greater, zeal.
Too often, society prioritizes material gain over spiritual understanding. People dedicate years to building careers, investing in businesses, and accumulating wealth, yet wisdom—which leads to eternal life—is neglected. The Church Fathers remind us that true wisdom is not found in riches or human reasoning but in God Himself.
St. John Chrysostom emphasizes this, saying: “Worldly wisdom increases wealth, but divine wisdom saves souls. Seek wisdom first, and all else shall follow.” Here, he echoes Christ’s teaching: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33).
Similarly, St. Augustine teaches, “God does not command us to know Him without rewarding us, for He Himself is the reward of those who love Him.” True wisdom is a gift from God, given to those who actively seek Him in prayer, study, and virtue.
If people would devote the same effort, time, and passion to seeking divine wisdom as they do to financial success, they would discover the greatest treasure: life in communion with God. Let us, therefore during Great Lent, take up a greater pursuit of wisdom as our greatest investment, knowing that it leads not just to temporary gain, but to eternal life and joy in Jesus Christ.