by Prince Mathew
Preface for Meditation
Fasting is an exceptional virtue; it represses bodily impulses and gives
strength to the soul to fight against the poisoning of the heart through the
senses, and provides it with a remedy against any past poisoning. Fasting causes
the mind to be cleansed constantly. It withers up every evil thought and brings
healthy, godly thoughts - holy thoughts that enlighten the mind and kindle it
with more zeal and spiritual fervor.
Everyone needs to frequently wash. The accumulated grime of the day is
unsightly, unpleasant and unhealthy. If we wash carefully, and ignore no dirty
place, then we will be invigorated, and healthy, but if we ignore some place for
a long time, that place will fester and cause us to be ill. The Holy Lent is
especially a time for careful washing. In us there may be wicked ways: thoughts,
feelings, priorities and habits that are not immediately apparent, and are all
displeasing to God. This time is a time to consciously attempt to put away
wicked ways from ourselves just as we put away from ourselves certain foods.
By listening and seeking, with diligence and proper priorities, we can do this.
This will lead to actions accomplished with a merciful heart. Some stains are so
dark and embedded that we cannot of our own effort wash them out, and their
ugliness and stench will always be with us, but if the Lord sees our effort, He
will wash us so that the scarlet and crimson of our sins, and even of our sinful
nature and predilections will be annihilated and forgotten, and will not return
to infect us again. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I
will be whiter than snow. Psalms 51:7
Bible Reading
Second Sunday of The Holy Lent (Lepers' Sunday)
Evening
* St. Mark 1: 32-45
Morning
Before Holy Qurbana
Holy Qurbana
Verse for the day:
* St. Mark 9 : 14 - 29
* Genesis7: 6 - 24
* II Kings 5: 1 - 14
* Isaiah 33:2-9
* Jeremiah 50 : 4- 7: 15 : 15 -21
* Acts 5:12-16 :19 :8-12
* Acts 9:22-31
* Romans3: 27- 4: 5
* St. Luke 5: 12-16, 4: 40 -41
St. Mark 1 : 41-"Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched
the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
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