Abide in Me

[Acts 27:1–44; John 17:18–26] As thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us… I in them, and thou in Me (John 17:21–23). This is the golden chain tying us with Divinity! We have fallen away — the Mediator has a?risen, Who is one with God the Fa?ther, and has become one with us. Becoming one with Him, we are u?nited in Him, and through Him with God the Father. Glory to Thy bound?less mercy toward us, O Three-Hypostatic God, Who was well-pleased to establish for us such a bright path to deification! The Lord raises us up high; do not refuse His good gift. Confess His mercy and praise His unspeakable goodness! You think it humble to refuse such a height, but you are actually reveal?ing crude ingratitude and careless?ness toward a lofty gift. Know, that there is no middle ground: it is ei?ther all or nothing. If you do not want this height, you will remain outside in bitter abasement, both temporally and eternally.

Saint Theophan the Recluse