Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse

Tuesday. [Gal. 2:21-3:7; Mark 6:1-7]

   From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him? Thus spoke the people of Nazareth about the Lord, having known His former life of low estate. The same happens with everyone who truly follows the Lord. He who strictly holds to the path of the Lord changes completely once he has labored to overcome all that is not right within himself. His whole constitution—his gaze, walk, speech, and behaviour all bear the mark of particular harmony and dignity, though he may have come from a lowly background, and has no education. It is then heard, “From whence hath this man these things?” If things that are bodily and visible are so transformed, what can be said of the inner things, of the soul, which are more directly and closely subject to the action of transforming grace, and to which the externals serve only as an expression and consequence? How bright, exact and determined are his thoughts about everything! How true is his judgment about what exists and occurs! His viewpoint on everything is higher than that of philosophers! And his intentions, actions and undertakings? All is pure, holy, reflecting heavenly brightness. In truth, this is a new person! He has not received an education, has not heard lectures in universities, and has no [illustrious] upbringing at all, and yet he is most well-mannered and wise. Attentiveness toward oneself, labour over oneself, prayer and drawing near to God refashioned everything through God’s grace; and nobody saw how it happened. That is why the question arises, “From whence hath this man these things?”

Wednesday. [Gal. 3:15-22; Mark 6:7-13]

   When the Lord sent the holy apostles to preach, He commanded that they not take anything with them but the clothes on their backs, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand. They were to have no cares about anything, entering in to this work as if everything were fully provided. Indeed, the apostles were completely provided for, without any external provisions. How was this arranged? Through their complete devotion to the will of God; that is why the Lord arranged for them not to have any need for anything. Their preaching moved the hearts of listeners, who fed and sheltered the preachers. But the apostles did not think of this and did not expect anything, committing all to the Lord. That is why they bore any unpleasantness they might have encountered patiently. Their only care was to preach, and their only sorrow was if people would not listen to their preaching. From this came the purity, independence and great fruitfulness of their preaching. The same is needed today as well, but our infirmity demands external provision, without which we will not take a step. This, however, is not a reproach against our apostles of today. In the beginning they definitely find comfort in being provided for, but then the thought of it disappears from their mind, and through their very labour they are raised up to the state of committing themselves to God. Very likely from that moment their preaching begins to be truly fruitful. Committing oneself to God is a very high degree of moral perfection, and people do not reach it immediately the moment they understand its value. It comes on its own after labors over oneself.