Пятница

(Gal.2, 6–10; Mark 5, 22–24, 35–6:1) Having resurrected the daughter of Jairus, the Lord “strictly ordered” (Mark 5:43) her parents that no one should know about it. This tells us: do not seek glory and do not strain your ear to hear people’s praises, even though your deeds are of such a kind that they cannot be hidden. Do what the fear of God and conscience forces you to do, and treat human talk as if it did not exist at all. And watch your soul: as soon as it leans in the slightest degree towards this side, return it to your rank. The desire for people to know is caused by the desire for praise. When there is praise, then the goal is achieved; and this undermines energy and stops praiseworthy activity, and therefore the continuation of praise. It turns out that anyone who wants people to know his good deeds is a traitor to himself. When people praise what is good, they do the deed - for what is good if not praised? - but don’t have this in mind and don’t expect and don’t look for it. If you indulge yourself in this, you will be completely spoiled. One indulgence will lead to another. Doing the same thing more often will turn into a moral, and you will be a lover of praise. And when you get to this point, then not all your deeds will be praiseworthy, and your boasting will be reduced. For lack of external praise, self-praise will begin, which the Lord called blowing the trumpet before oneself. This is even worse. The soul then becomes petty, chasing only tinsel, and don’t expect true good from it. You might be interested in: