Post-feast of the Dormition; the Holy Prophet Samuel (11th c. BC)
Read
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3; Matthew 23:23-28
In preparing for the day ahead, today all of us will do some or all of shower, brush our teeth, comb our hair, and put on clean and respectable clothes. We will spend time ensuring that our outward appearance is dignified so that others may not think poorly of us.
Here are questions that we each need to answer individually: will I spend as much time today caring for my inward state as I do for my outward appearance? Will I say my morning and evening prayers? If I haven’t been to confession lately, will I make plans to go to confession before Sunday? Will I ensure that Sunday Divine Liturgy takes precedence over any and all other plans I may have this weekend?
Our inward appearance is not something we can neglect simply because it is not immediately visible to those around us. Many of the saints of the Church through the centuries shone with great brightness not because of their outward appearance but because of their inward holiness. May we strive for inward holiness so that we can shine bright with the virtues!