St. Theophan the Recluse: Reliance on God Alone

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Wednesday, October 2 (September 19), 2024
Gal. 3:15-22; Mk. 6:7-13

The Lord sent His apostles to preach the Gospel and commanded them not to take anything along ─ no spare garment, no extra pair of sandals, just a staff in hand ─ and not to worry about any earthly matter, as if they have been fully supplied on all sides [Mk. 6:8-10].  And indeed, in their journey they had everything necessary, with no external care.

How did it work?  By their complete resignation to God’s will.  Indeed, the Lord provided for them by moving the hearts of the people to give them food, shelter and comfort.  But the apostles did not think about it, they did not expect it, merely relying on God’s help.  From that stemmed their endurance and patience in overcoming difficulties.  They had only one concern ─ to preach the Gospel, and only one worry ─ when people refused to listen; that’s why their word was so clear, independent and fruitful.

Would it not be good for us to have the same attitude?  But our weakness requires all sorts of material and logistic support without which we cannot take a single step.  This should not be taken as a reproach to modern missionaries.  While at first they do rely on that kind of support, later it disappears from their minds, and their hard work elevates them to the same state of reliance on God alone: from that instance, perhaps, their preaching begins to bear real fruit.

Reliance on God alone is the highest degree of inner perfection: it cannot be attained quickly or easily.  It gets developed gradually, as the result of lengthy labors and struggle.

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