Readings

June 8: [Melania the Elder, Monastic, 410]

The Collect of the Day

Melania the Elder

Most High and Merciful God, who called your servant Melania to forsake earthly comforts in order to devote herself to studying the scriptures and to welcoming the poor: Instruct us in the ways of poverty and the grace of hospitality, that we might comfort those who have no place to rest and teach the way of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Melania the Elder

Most High and Merciful God, who didst call thy servant Melania to forsake earthly comforts that she might devote herself to studying the scriptures and to welcoming the poor: Instruct us in the ways of poverty and the grace of hospitality, that we might comfort those who have no place to rest and teach the way of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Melania was a part of the first generation of Roman aristocrats who were encouraged to embrace Christianity, and lived to see it become the official religion of the Roman Empire. She was born in 341 in Spain and moved to Rome following her marriage, where she was widowed at the age of 22. Only one of her children, a son, survived, and she gave him into the care of a guardian so that she might pursue a monastic vocation.

Leaving Rome, she went to Alexandria where she used her fortune to support monastics, teachers, and pilgrims. While in Egypt, Melania studied asceticism and theology with the desert fathers and mothers. During a purge of the monasteries by the Arian bishop of Alexandria, Melania traveled to Palestine where she would spend the majority of her life.

Arriving in Jerusalem sometime after 372, she founded two monasteries on the Mount of Olives. These communities practiced hospitality for the many pilgrims who came to the sites of Christ’s passion and resurrection – all paid for by Melania. Her work of hospitality was especially significant for the many women making pilgrimage: the roads were not a safe place for travelers, and women were particularly vulnerable.

In an era when aristocratic Roman widows were expected to embrace the virtues of modesty and reserve, Melania was theologically outspoken and never shied away from expressing her passion for asceticism and for learning. She promoted theological tolerance and the unity of Christianity. A committed scholar, she studied the works of Origen, Basil the Great, and Gregory of Nazianzus. She was a teacher and spiritual director to many of the most prominent theologians and spiritual writers of her day, most notably Evagrius, whom she counseled through a spiritual crisis and then clothed as a monk. His Letter to Melania is one of his most profound works of ascetical and mystical theology.

Late in her life, on a visit to Rome to see her son, she inspired his daughter, also named Melania, to embrace the monastic life. Known as Melania the Younger, she followed her grandmother back to Jerusalem. Melania the Elder entered into eternal life in 410.

Lessons and Psalm

First Lesson

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Psalm

65O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *according to your word.

66Teach me discernment and knowledge, *for I have believed in your commandments.

67Before I was afflicted I went astray, *but now I keep your word.

68You are good and you bring forth good; *instruct me in your statutes.

69The proud have smeared me with lies, *but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.

70Their heart is gross and fat, *but my delight is in your law.

71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *that I might learn your statutes.

72The law of your mouth is dearer to me *than thousands in gold and silver.

Gospel

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Exodus 4:24–26

24 On the way, at a place where they spent the night, the Lord met him and tried to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched Moses’ feet with it, and said, “Truly you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” 26 So he let him alone. It was then she said, “A bridegroom of blood by circumcision.”

Mark 8:14–21

14 Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” 16 They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”