Leave-taking of the Feast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple. Our Holy Father and Priest-Martyr Clement, Pope of Rome (101). Peter, Bishop of Alexandria (312).
Nativity Fast.
2 Timothy 2:20-26. Luke 19:37-44.
Read 2 Timothy 2:20-26
What does it mean for an object to be blessed? It doesn’t mean that some special power has been infused into the object, but that it has been set aside for a holy purpose. Take holy water for example. When the water is blessed, regardless of which particular blessing prayers are used, two main things happen: 1) the water is removed from the dominion of the enemy and placed under God’s dominion and 2) the water is set aside for sacred purpose, whether it is to be used to bless other objects, for baptism, etc…. This is what happens with any other object that is blessed, or made ‘holy’.
Consider this principle when reading this Epistle reading. We will be vessels for honourable use, set apart as holy, and useful for God if we cleanse ourselves. That cleansing of ourselves is to be removed from the dominion of the enemy and this set us apart for God’s use.
How to we cleanse ourselves then? Look at the words of Paul today: “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”
What are the youthful passions? They are the intense and quickly-fleeting emotional bursts characteristic of immature people which, if pursued, can lead us to all kinds of trouble. These can be sexual in nature but don’t have to be. Instead pursue mature virtue, kindness, and patience. Such a person will be able to teach others and perhaps even convince his opponents in the truth of Christ.