Среда

(Heb. 10, 1–18; Mark 8, 30–34) Having invited people to follow him with the cross, the Lord shows this path, eliminating the main obstacles to it, not external, but internal, rooted in the human heart. If you want, as He says, to follow Me, first of all, do not feel sorry for yourself, for whoever feels sorry for himself will destroy himself; secondly, do not be bound by covetousness *36, for “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Thirdly, do not be embarrassed by what others will say or how others will look at you: “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man will also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Self-pity, covetousness and shame of the human face are the main chains that hold a person in an unpleasing life, on the path of passions and sin. They are the main obstacles to the conversion of a sinner; they are the main subject of spiritual struggle in a person who repents and who has already begun to bear the fruits of repentance. Until these threads are cut off, the Christian life in us is unreliable, full of stumblings and falls, if not always external, then internal. So, everyone, take a good look at yourself, and if there is anything in you from what has been said, take care to renounce it: otherwise, do not hope to ascend to perfection in Christ, even though outwardly you will be very good. Love, love (church) - love of self-interest. You might be interested in: