Tuesday. [II Cor. 12:20-13:2; Mark 4:24-34]

   The parable about the gradual growth of wheat from seed portrays, with respect to each man, the gradual growth of what is hidden in a man’s heart, sown and watched over by God’s grace, while with respect to mankind—the gradual increase in the body of the Church or the community of those saved in the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the order established by Him. Through this parable the question is settled: why to this day is Christianity not universal? Just as a man who has cast seed into the ground sleeps and rises, and the seed sprouts and grows up on its own without his knowing how, so the Lord, placing the seed of Divine life on the ground has given it freedom to spread on its own, subordinating it to the natural flow of events, and not forcing them. He only watches over the seed, assists it in individual circumstances and gives the general direction. The reason for this lies in man’s freedom. The Lord wants man to submit to Him on his own, and awaits the inclination of his freedom; this affair takes time. If all depended only on God’s will, everyone would have been a Christian long ago. Another thought: the body of the Church is being created in heaven; from the earth enter only materials, formed also by heavenly agents. The word passes over the earth from heaven and attracts those who desire it. Those who take heed and follow enter, like raw material, into God’s laboratory, the Church, and here are remade according to patterns given from heaven. Those who are remade, upon departure from this life, pass into heaven and there enter into the house of God, each where he is fit. This goes on continuously, and consequently the work of God does not stand still. A universal solemn celebration of Christianity is not required for this. The house of God is created invisibly.

Wednesday. [II Cor. 13:3-13; Mark 4:35-41]

   The disciples are sailing across the sea; a storm arises and places them in a dangerous situation, while the Lord sleeps. They call out to Him: “Lord, save us!” and He calms the storm with one word. This is another real representation of the order of Divine providence. Every person, the nations, and the Church are sailing across the sea of life themselves by means of the natural and supernatural powers placed in them, according to the routines established by God. The Lord rests, although He also abides amidst moving events; He Himself begins to act when an unavoidable misfortune threatens, which could turn the direction of events to oppose His Divine plans. He is everywhere, preserves everything, and warms everything with the breathe of His love; but He leaves His creatures to act themselves, by means of the powers given by Him, according to the laws and routines everywhere established and upheld by Him. He is not personally all-acting, although everything proceeds from Him and without Him nothing occurs. He is always prepared to act Himself when it is necessary according to His boundless wisdom and truth. Prayer is the receiver of God’s operations. But the best prayer is: “Lord! Thou knowest all things. Do with me as Thou willest!”