Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Lenten Fast: strict fast
Today we commemorate:
St. Titus the Wonderworker (9th C). Holy martyrs Aedesios and Amphianos of Lycia (306). Virgin-martyr Theodora of Palestine. Holy martyr Polycarp of Alexandria (313).
British Isles and Ireland:
St. Bronach. St. Constantine II, king of Scotland (874). St. Rufus of Glendalough.
Isaiah 41:4-14; Genesis 17:1-9; Proverbs 15:20-16:9
Isaiah 41:4-14
Who has taken action and done these things? It is God who called her from the beginning of generations, it is I AM calling for what is to come. The nations saw this and were afraid. From the ends of the earth they drew near and came together, each deciding to help his neighbour and his brother, and they will say, ‘The craftsman has become strong, the coppersmith too.’ He who strikes with the hammer as he forges at some time will say, ‘It is a well made piece. It has been strengthened with nails and well set up so that it can not be moved.’ But you, Israel, my servant Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham whom I love, whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth and from its lofty places, it is you I have called when I said to you, ‘You are my servant. I have chosen you and not forsaken you. Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not wander away, for I am your God who strengthens you. I have helped you and upheld you with my righteous hand.’ All your enemies will be shamed and confounded because they will be as if they did not exist, and all your opponents will perish. You will look for them, but you will not find those who ill-treat you because they will be as if they did not exist, and those who wage war against you will be no more. For I am your God who holds you by your right hand, who says to you, ‘Fear not, Jacob; and you, Israel, few in number, I have helped you.’ Thus says your God who redeems you, O Israel.
Genesis 17:1-9
Abram was ninety-nine years old. The Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am your God. Be pleasing before me and be blameless. I shall establish my covenant between me and you, and I shall greatly multiply you.’ Abram fell on his face, and God spoke to him, saying, ‘And as for me, my covenant is with you, and you will be father of a multitude of nations. Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I shall increase you very greatly and make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I shall establish my covenant between me and you, and your descendants after you through their generations, an everlasting covenant to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I shall give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are living, all the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession. I shall be God to them.’ And God said to Abraham, ‘You will also keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you through their generations.’
Proverbs 15:20-16:9
A wise son gladdens his father, but a foolish son sneers at his mother. The ways of the foolish make no sense, but a wise man takes the right path. Those who do not honour councils delay deliberation, but counsel resides in the hearts of those giving advice. The wicked will never take advice, nor will they say anything that is relevant or promotes the common good. The thoughts of the wise are the paths of life so that one may change direction and escape from Hades. The Lord pulls down the houses of the scornful, but he establishes the widow’s boundaries. An unrighteous thought is an abomination to the Lord, but the sayings of the pure are revered. Those who accept bribes destroy themselves, but the one who hates taking bribes is secure. Sins are purged away by almsgiving and acts of faith, and everyone with the fear of the Lord turns from evil. The hearts of the righteous pay heed to faith, but the mouths of the ungodly answer with evil. The ways of the righteous are acceptable to the Lord, and through them even enemies become friends. God is far from the ungodly, but he listens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small gains with righteousness than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think of righteousness so that his steps may be guided by God. The eye that sees beauty rejoices the heart, and good news strengthens the bones. He who rejects instruction hates himself, but he who takes notice of correction loves his own soul. The fear of the Lord is discipline and wisdom, and the beginning of glory will respond to her. All the works of the humble are open to God, but the ungodly will perish on the evil day. Everyone who is proud in heart is unclean before God, and those who deal dishonestly will not be held guiltless. The beginning of the way of goodness is to do what is right, for that is more acceptable to God than offering sacrifices. The one who seeks the Lord finds knowledge and righteousness, and those who seek him in the right way will find peace. All the works of the Lord are performed with righteousness, but the ungodly are kept for the evil day.
The text and chapter and verse references of the Old Testament readings are those of the Septuagint