My Beloved the Benevolent                                    

Blessings and peace, wishing you all goodness and blessings!

I am pleased to congratulate all of you on the Fast of the Virgin Mary, which begins on Sunday, August 7th (Mesori 1st) and ends with the Feast of the Virgin Mary on Monday, August 22nd (Mesori 16th) and wishing you a blessed acceptable fast and a happy feast.  The intercession of the Mother of Light supports all of us and helps us face the challenges of life, especially now a days.

The period of fasting of the Virgin May is a period of using her as an example for her many virtues, for she is truly the treasure of virtues.  One of the virtues of the Virgin Mary is wisdom.

+Wisdom is to act properly at the right time; the Bible invites us to act wisely, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Eph. 5:15-16.  The wisdom that comes from God has attributes mentioned by St. Jacob, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.

Let us reflect on these attributes through the life of the Virgin, the Mother of Light:

1. Purity: The Virgin St. Mary offers us an example of holiness and purity, surpassing the Cherubim and the Seraphim.  She lived a pure life; thus, God chose her to be His mother.

2. Peace: The Virgin Mary lived in peace; in silence and prayer despite the resistance and the troubles she endured from Joseph’s doubts.  She did not clash with the Jews who accused her of the most heinous charges, even at the time of her funeral and burial.  We need to learn from the Virgin Mary how to behave wisely with those who are outside, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Col.4:5-6

3. Kindness: The Virgin, the Mother of Light, gives us an example of being kind toward others in her visit to Elizabeth to be by her side during her pregnancy, and also by her kindness to the people of the wedding of Cana of Galilee and providing for their needs through her beloved Son, “They have no wine.”, Jn.2:3, He responded to her intercession and turned the water into wine.

4. Submissiveness: The Annunciation came to her by Archangel Gabriel, and the Virgin responded saying, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to our word. Lu. 1:38

5. Mercy and good fruits: The greatest fruit the Virgin presented to the world was her beloved Son; she is the vine carrying the cluster of life.  Also, her life is fruitful with good fruits, and it is fruitful in her miracles and help to many, as she is the faithful and trusted intercessor before our Lord Jesus Christ.  She intercedes for all of us that God may grant us forgiveness for our sins.

6. Undoubting: The Virgin gives us an example of a strong faith by accepting the Annunciation of the angel, and in her holy life which was based on strong faith in God’s work and power.

7. Without Hypocrisy: The Virgin gives us a pure life free of any hypocrisy, as she is a type of the Ark of Covenant made of a nondecaying wood.

Our Mother, the Virgin gives us an example of true wisdom, so we must imitate her and meditate and remember together some verses that call us to act wisely, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13. A wise man is the one who acts with meekness and of wisdom. Because meekness is not weakness or lack of adherence to the truth or fear of the evil ones.

Saint Paul instructs his disciple to be meek and firm, telling him, “In humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” 2Tim. 2:25

How great is wisdom! “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” Prov.16:16

From where do we get wisdom?!!  St. James answers, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. “James 1:5. May the Lord grants us wisdom to keep His commandments and help one another, redeeming the time, learning from the parable of the rich man who was not wise and did not help Lazarus who was in need. 

May Saint Mary intercedes on our behalf before the Lord Jesus Christ, and may God grant us to offer generously and bless your offerings to support Santa Verena Charitable programs.

Metropolitan Serapion