Friday, January 27 (14), 2023

1Pet. 1:1-2,10-12,2:6-10; Mk. 12:1-12

“Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” [Lk.6:46]. Men call Him Lord but don’t do His will, that is, in word they admit His lordship, but in deed they deny it.  Why is that? Because they call Him Lord with their tongues only, not with their hearts. 

Had the heart itself been constantly saying “O Lord, Thou art my Lord”, the complete commitment and obedience to Him would have also abode there.  But because it is missing, words go astray from deeds, while deeds always follow the heart. Does it mean that we should not call Him our Lord?  Of course it does not. What it means is that to the external expression we have to add the inner word — resolve and disposition of the heart.  

Sit down and think about the Lord and about yourself: what He is, and what you are, what He has done for you, and what He is doing, what is the purpose of your life, and what there will be at the end… Very soon you will come to a firm conclusion that you must do His will, completely and constantly — that there is simply no other way for you.  From that conclusion a resolve will be born: to confirm the meaning of the word “my Lord” with your actions, with your whole life.  Simultaneously you will realize how much you need help from above, and the prayer will emerge: “O Lord, my Lord, help me and give me strength to always do Thy will”. And the Lord will accept that call of your heart.

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