Monday. [Acts 3:19–26; John 2:1–11]

   Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19). Thus spoke the holy apostle Peter to the Jews who crucified the Lord, comforting them that they did it out of ignorance. But we are crucifying the Lord within ourselves for a second time, not out of ignorance, but through our sins; but the most merciful one receives us too when we repent and turn to Him with all of our heart. We did this during Great Lent. Each came running to the Lord with tears of repentance over his sins; and the more sincerely one did this, the more strongly did he feel the refreshment of forgiveness, proceeding from the face of the Lord, through the hands and word of absolution of God’s priest. Now what is left for us to do? To be on guard against new falls, so that we would not fall again into the guilt of crucifying the Lord. The Apostle says that heaven only received the Lord Jesus until the times of restitution of all things (cf. Acts 3:21). Then He again will come and set forth judgment. With what eyes will those who pierced His side look upon Him! Indeed, we too will have to stand in their ranks if we stop bringing forth fruits of repentance and return to our old ways.