Mary of Egypt

Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast- Mary of Egypt

 

Every year on the Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast we remember our venerable mother Mary of Egypt. She is known in our Holy Church as the "Penitent Saint" and her story of life has been called "an icon in words of the theological truth of repentance". As part of our Lenten journey, Saint Mary of Egypt can teach us something very great. As our venerable father Seraphim of Sarov repeated more than once to those who came to see him, the difference between a sinner who is lost and a sinner who finds his way to salvation, lies in nothing but determination. The grace of God is always there; but our response is not. But Mary of Egypt responded; through the horror of her new perception of herself she responded to the holiness, the grace, the wholeness and sanctity of the Mother of God, and nothing, nothing was too much for her to change her life.

 

This example of hers is presented to us as a crowning moment of this spring of life, which is the Great Fast-Lent. The Church commemorates St. Mary for her recognition of her own sins as an example of how one can free oneself from the slavery and burden of wrongdoings. A week before we heard the teaching and call of Saint John of the Ladder, the one who has established a whole ladder of perfection for us to overcome evil and come to right. And today we see one who from the very depth of evil was brought to the heights of saintliness, and as the Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete says: "Be sure that God Who could heal the leprous could heal the leprosy which is yours."

 

Her example of repentance should be an inspiration to all of us. We have a wonderful opportunity through the sacramental mystery of Penance to obtain forgiveness. The same Jesus who cured the leper with a touch and forgave sins with a word now uses a priest as His instrument to heal and forgive, to teach and console, to correct and encourage. As we near the final days of Lent, the Church gives us the example of Mary of Egypt so that we might not lose hope and to teach us that no sin is too great to be forgiven.

 

In Scripture we read: "though your sins be red as scarlet, I shall make them white as snow." We still have time to make a good confession…May the example of Saint Mary of Egypt draw attention to our own need for repentance so that we, too, nourished by Holy Communion, may rededicate our lives to the service of God.