Friday. [Heb. 11:8, 11-16; Mark 9:33-41]

   The Saviour sets forth a child as a model of faith and life. Simplicity of faith gives birth to simplicity of life; from both of these comes a model moral system. Let philosophizing in here, and it will make disorder within; under the appearance of better arranging affairs, it will throw one’s entire life into disorder. Philosophizing always cries, “This is not so, that is not so; let me establish everything in a new way; the old is worthless, boring.” But it has never yet, in any place, arranged anything good; it only throws things into confusion. The mind should obey what is commanded by the Lord. True, the mind is called “the tsar in the head”; however, this tsar is not given legislative power—only executive power. As soon as it starts making laws, it constructs it knows not what. Moral, religious, worldly, and political orders are thrown into confusion, and everything goes upside down. It is a great misfortune for society when the mind in it is given freedom to soar, with no restraint by Divine truth! This is God’s wrath. About it is said, hide thyself a little for a moment, until the indignation pass away (Isaiah 26:20) During this apogee of mental self-wilfulness it is best to wrap oneself in simplicity of faith. Just as during a storm it is better to sit at home and not step out to fight self-assuredly with it, so during stormy self-mindedness it is better not to step out into battle with it, or to seize the weapon of philosophizing, or resist it. Simplicity of faith is stronger than philosophizing; clothe yourself in it, like in armour, and you will withstand.

Saturday. [Heb. 5:1-8; Luke 14:1-11]

   When you are bidden somewhere, do not sit in the highest place. In sum: always and everywhere, seek the lowliest place. In this simple rule is briefly expressed the entire rich substance of humility. Take this rule, sit down and examine all possible cases in your life, and in advance choose the lowliest place in each of them. This will be the practice of humility, which will gradually move from external deeds to the inner, and will form a sediment of humility there as a foundation. Time will make this seed to grow amidst this practice, and humility will at last fill all of your soul and body, and all outer affairs. What will happen? Moral greatness will shine on your brow and attract universal respect; and the words will be fulfilled in you: Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. However, do not have this as your intention while practicing humility, but rather humility itself. It in and of itself brings a blessed good disposition to the soul. Where humility comes all inner troubles cease and all external adversities do not produce startling impressions. Just as a wave which meets no impediment spills into a boundless sea without noise or crash, so outer and inner sorrows do not harm a humble soul, but are carried as though on the surface, without leaving a trace. This is the worldly advantage, so to speak, of a humble person. What light from above illumines him, what consolations are sent, what breadth of free action is revealed! Truly, only humility contains it all…