Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost, Tone 6; The Holy Apostles Stachys, Amplias and others with them; the Holy Martyr Epimachus (250)
Ephesians 2:4-10; Luke 8:26-39
Read Luke 8:26-39
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
… there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes. Lk 8:27
the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. Lk 8:35
When the demoniac was possessed by the demons, he wore no clothes. When he sits at the feet of Jesus, he is clothed. See the contrast! If we think of a nun who has her whole body covered, not unlike the Blessed Virgin Mary in icons, we see a person that exercises modesty and shows great self-control. We could say that she has the mind of Christ.
On the other hand if we think of a woman who is dressed immodestly and is exposing much of her body, we see a person that does not show self-control and temperance. Unfortunately the prophecy spoken by Our Lady of Fatima about our times has been very much fulfilled: “Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.” The Mother of God also spoke directly to women, saying: “Woe to women lacking in modesty.”