Post-feast of the Dormition; Holy Martyr Andrew the General and those with him (286-305)
2 Corinthians 4:13-18; Matthew 24:27-33, 42-51
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s reading reminds us to be focused on the eternal, spiritual realm and not on our earthly lives which will pass away. Even though as we age our bodies steadily deteriorate (“our outward man is perishing”), we can always continue to grow more mature and stronger spiritually (“the inward man is being renewed day by day”) (2 Cor. 4:16). In our mortal lives we experience suffering and affliction, but relatively it is “light affliction, which is but for a moment” while it profits us unto “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).
The things which truly last and matter are not the things that we can see with our eyes, measure, or calculate. Decay is a quality of the material world, but the spiritual world lasts eternally. Jesus teaches us: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:19-21).
Although we find decay in this fallen, material world, we believe God is making a new creation. In today’s reading St. Paul writes, “we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you” (2 Cor. 4:13-14). While we live our lives and endure hardships, we need to keep focused on the larger picture and not let our problems consume us. In the end, all of our sufferings and afflictions are small in light of the vast expanse of eternity and Christ’s victory over sin and death. We experience pain and sorrow now, but we already know that the story ends with victory for those who live in Christ.