Reflection on the Sunday Before Theophany
(2 Tim. 4:5–8; Mark 1:1–8)
By St. Theophan the Recluse
(2 Tim. 4:5–8; Mark 1:1–8)
By St. Theophan the Recluse
Before the Lord appeared to the people and entered into the work of accomplishing the economy of our salvation, Saint John the Baptist was sent to prepare the people to receive Him. The preparation consisted of calling them to repentance. And repentance from that time became the path to the Lord Savior and the threshold of faith in Him. The Savior Himself began His preaching with the words: "Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).
Repentance and faith accompany one another in those who have sought salvation. Repentance weighs him down with the burden of sins and terrifies him with the unwashed judgment of God's truth. But faith comes and shows him the Deliverer, Who has taken away the sins of the world. The repentant clings to the Deliverer and, having laid down the burden of sins by confession, joyfully he follows after Him, on the path of His commandments. Faith, therefore, is born of repentance and stands on it. The repentant holds fast to faith through the feeling of deliverance. Faith is alive from repentance. Without repentance, it is like a tree without a life-giving current, withered and lifeless.
