Wednesday, February 19 (6), 2025
1John 3:21-4:6;  Mk. 14:43-15:1

If you need help, ask for it.  You might say that you have asked for help and never received it.  But “there is no respect of persons with God” [Rom. 2:11], that is, He would not arbitrarily grant His help to someone and withhold it from someone else.  He is kind and generous, ready to give help to anyone.  Therefore, the reason for not receiving help is not in the One Who gives it, but in the one who asks for it ─ in yourself.

That reason, of course, might be hidden from us: some reasons we will never guess.  But there are quite obvious reasons, clearly visible for everyone.  As one of such reasons ─ is it not the most common one? ─ St. John points to our mistrust in the Lord, which is caused in turn by accusations of our heart or conscience: “Beloved, ─ says he, ─  if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” [1John 3:21-22].

There is nothing to add to Apostle’s words: everything is clear.  Do you expect any earthly lord to help an unfaithful servant, a wastrel and a libertine?  So the Heavenly Lord will neither tolerate us, if we fail to please Him and keep His commandments, if we perhaps begin to pray only when we urgently need something from Him?...

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