SATURDAY
The Lord commanded that the didrachmas demanded of them be paid (Matt. 17:27). He likewise observed all other ecclesiastical and civil ordinances, and taught the Apostles to do the same. The Apostles, in turn, handed down this rule to all Christians.
Only the spirit of life was made new. Outwardly, everything remained as it had been, except for what was plainly contrary to the will of God, such as participation in sacrifices to idols and similar things.
Later, Christianity came to the forefront with its own order of life, displacing all that was old. From this, one might conclude that it would become easier for the Christian spirit to develop and grow strong. And so it did—but not in everyone. Having become accustomed to the outward Christian order of life, most people stopped there, making no effort to acquire its spirit. Of the great multitude of Christians, very few will prove to be Christians in spirit.
And what of the rest? They have a name that they are alive, but they are dead.
When the Apostles preached the Gospel, their word gathered God’s chosen portion from the whole pagan world. Now, through that same word, the Lord gathers His portion from within the Christian world itself.
Let him who reads understand, and let him strive earnestly to discover whether he truly belongs to the Lord’s portion. If he finds no assurance of this within himself, let him take care to become God’s own possession—for in this alone is salvation.
+St. Theophan the Recluse - Thoughts for Every Day of the Year