Monday
II Cor. 5:10-15; Mark 1:9-15
The Lord began His sermon thus: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). At the end of the ages it will also be said; the time is fulfilled, the Kingdom is at hand. But this statement will not be followed by repent ye, and believe but by "come out to the Judgment." The time for repentance and labors of self-improvement will have ended. Let everyone give an account of what good or evil things he did in his body. And so, while there is time, hurry to use this time unto your salvation. The Father's embrace is open to receive all who come with a sincere feeling of contrition about the past and with a desire to serve God henceforth by the zealous fulfillment of His holy commandments. For each of us death is the end of this age; it is the door to the other life. Look into this more often and determine for yourself more truly: what will happen then? And having determined this without pitying yourself, begin laboring to prepare that which in you is not ready, that you might enter the place where joy is unending. Labor to push aside all that could give the servants of outer darkness the right to prevail over us and carry us away to their realm, whence there will no longer be a way out.
-From St.Theophan the Recluse
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