Holy Priest-Martyr Dorotheus, Bishop of Tyre (361-63). Holy Priest-Martyr Cosmas, Presbyter of Armenia (1707). Veneration of the Icon of the Mother of God, of Ihor, called because it belonged to Ihor Olhovych, Prince of Kiev (+1147).
Apostles’ Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Romans 8:2-13. Matthew 10:16-22.
Read Romans 8:2-13
We continue to contemplate the two opposing forces that are working within us: the flesh—the law of sin and death—and the Spirit. It is not enough to know the Law of God, that is to know what is the righteous way of living. St. Paul says, that the Law of God becomes a judge for us, it condemns us because we cannot live up to its standard as we are weakened by the flesh. Christ offers us freedom through his merits as a free gift of love. To abide in him is to abide in his Spirit. The Holy Spirit works through Christ and where Christ is He also dwells. This is why St. Paul exhorts us to have nothing to do with the deeds of the flesh. To continually seek a life with the Living God through Christ and the Holy Spirit, who bring us into an embrace with the Father.
St. Cyril of Alexandria explains it for us this way:
I think it is necessary for an accurate explanation of the meanings which are found here, to say this: Paul calls the lusts of the flesh which lead us into all kinds of wickedness the law of sin and death. So also he calls the spiritual will, that is, the inclination of the mind to do what is right, the law of the Spirit of life…. This law has not set us free by itself; rather it has restored us to freedom by the merits of Christ. Just as those who have sinned under the law have necessarily been trapped by the snares of death as well, so it is necessary also that those who are not under the law but who have been set free by Christ should lead lives of holiness and show themselves to be above corruption because they are no longer under the law of death. (Explanation of the Letter of Romans).
To live spiritually means to live in and with the Holy Spirit who is the power and life of God. Not only are we to strive to avoid the works of the flesh, but St. Paul encourages us to rely on the Holy Spirit by setting our minds on the things of the Spirit. What you long for and think about is where you will orient your life. We can ask ourselves today, what constitutes the majority of my desire and the orientation of my mind. The thoughts we give the most attention to will orient our lives and direct us either to the flesh or the Spirit. Let us reflect today on how much time do we give to cultivating and seeking the Holy Spirit.