True Humility Before God
from Give Me A Word Hosted by St. Vladimir's Seminary
The Sunday of the Publican of the Pharisee marks the beginning of the incorporation of the hymns of the Great Triodion in our church services, leading us through Great Lent to Holy Week and Pascha. Fr Vincent Temirov tells us how the Church prescribes specific Gospel readings to prepare our minds and hearts in the three weeks leading up to the beginning of Great Lent, starting with the story of the lowly tax collector and the exalted religious leader. These two diametrically opposed figures paint a clear picture of pride versus humility. Fasting as the Pharisee did without love and humility brought him no benefit; the suspension of the usual Wednesday and Friday fasts during the week after this Sunday is the Church’s way of illustrating this point. It is only through true humility, i.e. putting God before all else, that our prayers bring us into communion with the Lord.
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