This Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate the memory of St. Mary of Egypt, a harlot who became a saint.
According to her life story, Mary was a runaway child who traveled to Alexandria to become a prostitute. Later, out of curiosity, St. Mary joined a group of pilgrims who were traveling to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14th.
Upon visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, she tried to enter the church along with the pilgrims who flowed in freely. She however, was prevented from entering by an unseen power not once, nor twice but three times, probably because while traveling with the pilgrims she did not cease to lead others to sin.
After being prevented from entering, she took this as a personal sign from God that she should change her sinful ways and seek repentance from her sinfulness. This she did changing her life and embracing the monastic life for some four decades and later through the grace of God becoming a saint of the Church.
This Sunday, as we near the end of Great Lent and the beginning of Passion Week, calls all sinners to be inspired by her repentance and become aware of our own sinfulness before Christ Himself.
O Holy Mother Mary of Egypt Pray Unto God for Us!
