So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees… For your own well-being.
Deuteronomy 10: 12-13
As we complete the fifth week of Lent, once again we are asked, “What does the Lord require of us?” The response is given to us. First, fear the Lord; or said another way, acknowledge and believe that God is God. Second, walk in His ways, which includes keeping His commandments, and decrees. Third, and most importantly, love and serve the Lord God with all our heart, and soul. The Lord tells us clearly, “for your own well-being.” The world around us tells us the exact opposite – Love yourself first, before anything else; take care of number one. God’s way rejects this – He desires each of us to follow and intimately love Him, in the company of others. He calls us the body of Christ to be one, while remembering He knows the number of hairs on each of our heads. He does have “commandments and decrees” which we are to embrace, but He intends that doing so is for our well-being.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
Heavenly monarch, exalted king, Lord of all, hope of each,
creator of the visible, establisher of the invisible, cause of being,
shaper of the future, giver of light, blessed pardoner who liquidates sin,
banishes pain, and neutralizes bitterness,
protect me with your hand that shaped the heavens.
Blanket me with your divine care.
Bolster me with the vigilance of your heavenly host.
Surround me with the attachments of angels.
Open the eyes of my soul along with the eyes in my face.
May the ray of your glory illumine the chamber of my mind.
May the sign of your cross cast its shadow over my whole spirit and body.
I commit to you today this tabernacle of mine, which you have given to shelter my soul.
For you are God beyond understanding,
generous in all things, perfect in all ways,
blessed forever.
Amen.
Prayer 84
