The Holy Venerable-Martyr Anastasia (249-51); the Passing of Our Venerable Father Abraham, Archimandrite and Wonderworker of Rostov (11th c.)
Galatians 5:22-6:2; Matthew 4:25-5:12
Read Galatians 5:22-6:2
The Apostle Paul gives the Colossians four instructions in today’s epistle reading: two are about prayer and two are about conduct.
On prayer, Paul first instructs the Colossians to continue earnestly in prayer and be vigilant in with thanksgiving. This is the most important thing we can do. With a regular and faithful prayer life full of thanksgiving, we will grow closer to Christ and be full of joy. This life and joy we possess will invariably spread to others and bring them closer to Christ. Second, Paul requests that Colossians pray specifically for him and those working with him in the ministry of evangelization. In our case, we should pray specifically for our spiritual leaders. Most importantly, our pastor and our bishop. They are the ones charged with leading us in our lives of faith and mission.
On conduct, Paul begins by instructing the Colossians to walk in wisdom toward outsiders and, in doing so, redeem time. Those who are outside of the Church need Christ in their lives—if they understood they needed Christ, they would be in the Church! Our approach to and interactions with such persons must be filled with wisdom since our witness to them is their encounter with Jesus Christ. If we Christians are graceful, patient, loving, and caring, that will be how others encounter Christ. If we are not, then others will encounter a different Christ. Secondly, and closely related to the first, our speech is to “always be with grace, seasoned with salt”. The tongue can bless and it can curse, it can soothe and it can bite. We must be on guard to ensure that our speech is always graceful.
A life of prayer will lead to a holy life. If we fulfil Paul’s first two instructions, the second two will follow.