Daily Devotion to the Theotokos

Third Day of the Month

"And Abraham built an altar [of stone] there and laid wood in its place... Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?' And Abraham replied, 'My son, God will Himself provide a lamb for the burnt offering'." (Genesis. 22:9, 7-8)

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I recall how Cain and Abel built an altar of stone in the wilderness, and I came to offer praise to God in their sacrifices. Abel offered from his heart

with love, and God received his offering of a lamb, but Cain offered only because he was obliged to do so and not from his heart, so God did not accept his offering.

From this we have learned that God receives our prayer and service only if they are offered with love from sincere hearts.

When Noah and his family were delivered from the evil of this world by the flood which baptized the earth, he set up a stone altar on the mountain and offered thanksgiving to God in his sacrifice.

When Isaak was born, God's promise to our Mother Sarah and our father Abraham was fulfilled. But Abraham obeyed God and raised an altar on the mount, exclaiming "God Himself will provide a lamb so that God's promise will not perish."

My mind gazes upon these things, O Most Pure Mother, and I wonder at the stone altars and the lambs that were offered upon them. What was accomplished by them, and what did the people receive from such offerings? And who was this lamb which God Himself would provide for Abraham?

As I contemplate these things, I understand who the Lamb of God is that Abraham spoke of, O Theotokos. It is your Son Jesus Christ. Now I have come to realize that the stone altars were a likeness of you, O Ever Virgin Mary.

When our ancestors offered lambs upon the mountain tops, they were receiving in prophecy the promise that our Savior would come, that Lamb of God Who would be the perfect offering to free us from our sins.

The love and purity of your heart, O Virgin, were greater than that of any other human who has ever lived. Therefore, God chose you and made you the living altar through whom He Himself provided the lamb, offering Him to the world for its salvation.

O Most Pure and Holy Theotokos, I hymn and praise your wondrous humility and purity. My heart is filled with love for you, because your faith and obedience brought forth the salvation of my sinful soul. I see in you an example to follow, a life to imitate and a sure hope for all humanity.

With grateful love, I beseech you:

Pray, O good and pure Mother, that the grace of the Holy Spirit may touch my soul and teach me faith, humility, meekness and sincere love for God, so that the sacrifice of praise that I offer from the altar of my heart may be pleasing and acceptable to Him.

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