Wednesday. [I John 3:21–4:6; Mark 14:43–15:1]

If help is needed, ask. “I asked,” you say, “and it was not given.” But then how is it given to others? With the Lord there is no respect of persons; to give to one, and not to give to another without any reason. He is ready to give to all—for He loves to be giving. If He does not give to someone, the reason is not in Him, but in the one asking help. Among such reasons can be some that we cannot even guess. But there exist known reasons, visible to anyone. One of these reasons (and is it not the chief reason?) Saint John points out to be the absence of confidence, and the absence of confidence comes from the condemnation of the heart or the conscience. Beloved, he says, 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 (I John 3:21). There is nothing more to add to these words. Everything is clear in and of itself. What master will help an unfaithful servant, a squanderer and profligate? Will the Lord really indulge us when we do not want to please Him and fulfil His commandments; if we only start praying when an extreme need arises?!