Monday
1 Cor. 11:31-12:6; Matt. 18: 1-11
Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 18:3). The structure of a child's heart is a model for all. Children, before egotistical strivings have arisen in them, are a model for imitation. What do we see in children? Complete faith which does not reason, undebating obedience, sincere love, peace and lack of worry under their parents' roof, and liveliness and freshness of life, with agility and a desire to learn and become more perfect. But the Savior particularly emphasizes one of their virtues-humility: Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 18:4). For as soon as there is true humility, all of the virtues are there. It is revealed perfectly when the other virtues have already blossomed in the heart and reach maturity it is their crown and protection. This is the mystery of spiritual life in our Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever is higher is more humble, because he more clearly and tangibly sees that it is not he who labors successfully, but the grace which is in him (cf. 1 Cor. 5:10); and this is the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). For an essential aspect of Christ Jesus is that He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8).
-From St. Theophan the Recluse
No comments:
Post a Comment