Pages

Pages

February 2, 2022

Reflection on the Feast of the Reception of the Lord (St. Theophan the Recluse)

 
 By St. Theophan the Recluse

At this reception the Lord is surrounded on the one side by Symeon — righteousness which awaits salvation, but not in righteousness itself -, and Anna — a life of strict fasting and prayer, made alive by faith -; and on the other side by substantial, comprehensive and steadfast purity — the Virgin Mother of God -, and by humble, silent submission and devotion to the will of God — Joseph the Betrothed. Transfer all of these spiritual attitudes to your heart and you will receive the Lord; not carried to you, but coming to you Himself. You will take Him into the embrace of your heart, and you will sing a hymn which will pass throughout the heavens and gladden all the angels and saints.