“Let my prayer arise (Κατευθυνθήτω, Да исправится) as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth, and a door of enclosure around my lips. Incline not my heart unto words of evil, to make/allege excuses (προφασίζεσθαι προφάσεις, непщевати вины) for sins…“ (Ps 140: 2-4, Septuagint-translation)
These verses of the evening-psalm 140 (141) are sung in a special, Lenten melody today and Friday, and on all Lenten Wednesdays and Fridays, at a beautiful Vespers-service connected with the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. The three Psalm-verses offer me three, basic “tips“ for daily living in a peaceful, God-focused manner: 1. To live each day as a “prayer“ that I carry, like a torch, all the way to the evening; 2. To watch my mouth, with God’s presence and help in mind; and 3. To watch the thoughts in my “heart,“ that it not be burdened and complicated with self-justification and self-pity. This final “tip“ is particularly helpful for following the first two.
Let me carry these three verses with me, on this second Wednesday of Lent, that I may simplify my heart and my day, in whatever interactions and challenges it may bring. “Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed unto ages of ages.” Amen! Happy Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent, dear friends! Join our daily, weekday “Morning Coffee” audio-podcasts for some daily inspiration on your Lenten journey! Sign up at: patreon.com/sistervassa. Love from Vienna, Sister Vassa & Crew
