Monday
Rom. 2:28-3:18; Matt. 6:31-34; 7:9-11
Take no thought (Matt. 6:31). Then how is one to live? We have to eat, drink, and wear clothes. But the Savior does not say, "Do nothing," but rather, Take no thought. Do not weary yourself with cares that consume you both day and night and give you not a moment of peace. Such care is a sinful disease. It shows that a man is relying upon himself and has forgotten God, that he has lost hope in God's Providence, that he wants to arrange everything for himself sole by his own efforts and to procure all that is necessary and preserve what he has procured by his own means. He has become chained in his heart to his property, and thinks to rest upon it as though it were a solid foundation. Love of possessions has bound him, and he thinks only of how to get more into his hands. This mammon has replaced God for him. By all means, work-but do not weary yourself with evil cares. Expect every success from God and commit your lot into His hands. Accept all that you obtain as a gift from the Lord's hand, and wait with the firm hope that He will continue His generous giving. Know that if God so desires, a rich man can lose all he has in one minute. All is decay and dust. Is it worthwhile wearying yourself for this? So, take no thought!
-From St. Theophan the Recluse
Many things in this life are temporary. But God reminds us that He is everlasting and He fulfills us always.
Written by Jackie Loupakos
No comments:
Post a Comment