The Holy Priest-Martyr Therapontus (254-59)
Romans 1:28-2:9; Matthew 5:27-32
Read Matthew 5:27-32
As we continue to celebrate this beautiful feast of Pentecost—remember that this whole week there is no fasting—we contemplate how to grow in the Holy Spirit. The Church gives us to read from the Gospel of Matthew the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus is clarifying and focusing our understanding of how the Law of God should be applied. How it should be applied not only externally, but more importantly internally. This then sets for us the foundation on how we ready our heart for growth in the Holy Spirit: applying the Gospel precepts in our lives starting with our heart.
How do we fight against lustful thoughts? Lust of the flesh grieves the Holy Spirit. St. John Chrysostom says, “ The Holy Spirit speaks concerning this to David: “Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock.” The symbolism here is that the blessed and truly evangelical person roots out the desires and lusts of the flesh arising from human weakness. He does this immediately before they grow, at the onset, through faith in Christ who has been described as a rock.” (Tractate on Matthew 23.1.6-7). St. John instructs us to dash our thoughts against Jesus—bring them to Christ for Jesus is our strength and power.