Our Venerable Father Bessarion the Wonderworker (457-74); Venerable Hilarion the New (845-46)
Apostles’ Fast. Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat
Read
Romans 8:2-13; Matthew 10:16-22
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
According to commentaries, the wisdom of the serpent consists of the fact that when a serpent is attacked, it first of all protects its head; similarly, in times of misfortune and difficult circumstances, the Christian must, first of all, protect his faith. Secondly, the wisdom of the serpent consists of the fact that when it wants to shed its old skin, it slithers into a tight space, otherwise it will not be able to shed its skin. Likewise with the Christian, if he wishes to shed himself of the ‘old man,’ must take the narrow path, according to the Gospel teaching. The harmlessness of the dove consists in gentleness and forgiveness of offenses, vexations and similar things.
We must have innocence with our wisdom—else our wisdom is but craftiness. And we must have wisdom with our innocence—else our innocence is but weakness. We must have the innocence of the dove—that we may not harm others; and we must have the wisdom of the serpent—that others may not harm us. We must have the innocence of the dove—that we may not betray the truth; and the wisdom of the serpent—that we may not betray ourselves. In short, innocence without wisdom is too weak to be safe. Wisdom without innocence is too subtle to be good. When wisdom and innocence appear together, they preview the soul’s happiness.