Vigils Reading

THE HOLY DAYS

OF LENT

From a sermon by St Leo the Great6

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During this holy time we should not hear the sound of discord coming

from those to whom the consolations of holy joy are never wanting. And when

you are engaged in works of mercy, do not fear a lessening of your own earthly

possessions. Christian poverty is ever rich; for that which it possesses is greater

than that which it does not possess…

But be certain, dearly beloved, that the devil, the enemy of all virtue, will

look with envy upon these pious practices to which we trust you freely give

yourselves; and he will bring against them all the force of his malice, so that

from piety itself he may weave snares against piety, so that those he could not

destroy through despair he will seek to undo through vainglory. For standing

close at hand to all our actions is the iniquity of pride; and vanity lies ever in wait

for virtue; for it rarely happens that the praise of men is not given to those who

live worthy lives, unless, as was written, “Whoever glories, let him glory in the

Lord”

Let us therefore, dearly beloved, be watchful against the deceits of the

devil, not only against the enticements of gluttony, but even in our very purpose

of fasting. For he who knew how to bring death upon all by means of food,

knows how to injure us even in our fast. For just as by a serpent he brought it

about that what was forbidden was eaten by Adam and Eve, so by the same

serpents he persuades mortals to shun what is lawful.

Whatever is given us as food and as drink is clean and holy, no matter

what it may be. But if it is indulged in with unmeasured appetite it will dishonor

both those who eat it and those who drink it. Yet it is not the nature of the food

that defiles us. For “all things are clean to the clean; but to those that are defiled

and to unbelievers, nothing is clean, but both their mind and their conscience

are defiled”

But you, dearly beloved, the holy offspring of the Catholic Mother, whom

the Spirit of God has taught in the School of Truth, use your freedom of action

with right reason, knowing that it is good to abstain, even from what is lawful;

and when you must practice self-denial, so abstain from food as merely putting

aside its use, not as condemning its nature.

Enter then with pious devotion upon these holy days of Lent; and prepare

for yourselves the works of mercy, that you may merit the Divine Mercy.

Extinguish the fires of anger, wipe away all hate, love the bond of unity, give way

to each other in the simplicity of true humility.

Rule your servants with justice, and likewise all who are subject to you.

Let there be an end to vengeance. Let offenses be forgiven. Let harshness be

changed to mildness, disdain to gentleness, and discord into peace. Let us all

strive to be modest, let all be gentle, all be kind, so that our fasting may be

pleasing to God. To Him we shall offer a true sacrifice of self-denial and

devotion if we keep ourselves from all iniquity; being helped in all things by

almighty God, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit is One in divinity, one in

Majesty, for ever and ever.

6 The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers, vol 2, Henry Regnery Co, Chicago, 1958, pg 30.13