The Holy Venerable-Martyr Anastasia (249-51); the Passing of Our Venerable Father Abraham, Archimandrite and Wonderworker of Rostov (11th c.)
1 Thessalonians 2:14-19; Luke 11:23-26
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat
Read Luke 11:23-26
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
We need the black and white words of Jesus to cut through the greys of our lives. Are we with him or against him? These words have no time for compromised Christianity. For, as the book of Revelation tells us: “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:17) If we are not working to build up the kingdom, then we are helping to bring it down.
What does it mean to gather here? Does it mean the bold apostolic preaching of Paul that took him from port to court and bouncing between Europe and Asia? The rest of the passage emphasises a different kingdom we need to build up: the interior fortress of our souls. A heart fortified against the snares of the evil one makes us the most noble instrument to build up the kingdom of God here and now. The witness to holiness of life, something that the Philip’s fast (starts in 2 weeks) gives us an opportunity to cultivate: increased prayer, fasting, and alms giving purify the soul, rendering it impregnable of demons like these and their friends.