Thursday. [II Thess. 2:13-3:5; Luke 13:1-9]

   Pilate mingled the blood of Galileans with their sacrifices—the Lord said: except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish; the tower of Siloam fell and killed 18 people—the Lord again said: except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. This gives an understanding that when some misfortune befalls others, we must not reason about why it happened, but rather look at ourselves and examine whether there are any sins on us deserving temporary punishment for the instruction of others, and hasten to wipe them out with repentance. Repentance cleanses sin and removes the cause which attracts a catastrophe. While a person is in sin, an axe is laid to the root of the tree of his life, ready to cut it down. It does not cut because it waits for repentance. Repent and the axe will be taken away, and your life will flow to its end in the natural order of things; if you do not repent—expect to be cut down. What man can know whether he will live to the next year? The parable about the fruitless fig tree shows that the Saviour prays that Divine justice spare each sinner in the hopes that he will repent and bring forth good fruits. But it sometimes happens that Divine justice no longer hears the intercessions, and perhaps He will only agree to allow somebody one more year to remain alive. How do you know, sinner, that you are not living your last year, your last month, day and hour?

Wednesday. [II Thess. 2:1-12; Luke 12:48-59]

   Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. What is the reason? Those who believe in the Lord are filled with an entirely different spirit, contrary to that which reigned in people before His coming; that is why they cannot get along together. The pagan world pursued exclusively worldly and earthly interests. The Jews at least had indications of higher good things, but towards the end they inclined toward the path of the pagans. The Lord, coming to the world, showed people other treasures, outside of the family, outside of society, and awakened other aspirations. Those who accepted His teaching naturally established a way of life different from before, for which they were subjected to hostility, oppression, and persecutions. This is the division. The Apostle Paul then said that all desiring to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3–12). So it was and so it is. When worldly and earthly interests begin to prevail in society, then society looks unfavourably at those who display other, unearthly strivings; it cannot even understand how it is possible to be interested in such things. People cannot stand those who serve as representatives of a way of life which is not similar to their life. This is happening now before everyone’s eyes. Is this not a sign of the times?…