“O Lord, the woman who had fallen into many sins, sensing your divinity, O Lord, assumed the myrrh-bearers’ role; preparing you with myrrh before your burial. She said: Woe is me, for gloomy, moonless night incites mu unbridled desires and lust for sin. You who draw down sea water from the clouds accept the fountain of my tears. Incline to the groaning of my heart as you bowed the heavens when you emptied yourself. I will kiss your immaculate feet, and wipe them with the hair of my head; those feet whose steps Eve heard at dusk in Paradise, and hid herself in fear. Who will search out the multitude of my sins or plumb the depths of your judgments, do not despise me your servant, O Savior of my soul, for your mercy knows no measure.”

Through the Cross our Lord leads us to the tree of life that was in Paradise, on the Paschal night, not “moonless” but brightened by the full moon of the Passover, for his mercy knows no measure.

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras