The Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast – Memory of Our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt

Слава Ісусу Христу! Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Historical focus: St Mary of Egypt, a great penitent. St Mary’s life shows that no one is beyond Godʼs mercy.  Repentance is more than guilt; it is a total change of direction sustained over time, not just feeling bad. Many of us carry old sins or patterns we quietly assume will never change; Godʼs grace is stronger than that resignation. Godʼs grace works slowly and deeply over years. Confession, spiritual guidance, and perseverance can heal even deep wounds. 

Main theological themes: 

Radical repentance: No life is beyond Godʼs mercy, no sin unforgivable when one truly turns back. 

Grace: The power of grace to transform even the most disordered life into holiness. 

Synergy: The synergy of Godʼs grace with the human effort of perseverance and prayer over many years as the path to healing.

Our Gospel instruction Mark 10:32–45 contains Jesus’ teaching that true greatness is found in humble service. In the passage James and John ask Jesus to grant them to sit at His right and left in His glory, revealing that they still understand His mission in terms of honor and status rather than suffering and self-offering. Jesus states that whoever would be great among them must be a servant (diakonos), and whoever would be first must be slave (doulos) of all. He concludes with the key saying that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. True leadership heals by pouring out (kenosis) love for others. True greatness in the Gospel of Mark 10:32–45 is redefined by Jesus as humble, self-emptying service rather than worldly power or status. Our Mission is called to the right care of others to imitate Christ’s humility. 

Peace and Grace, Tim