Day 9 (2nd Tuesday of the Great Fast) 

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.” (James 2:8)

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ], whilst giving His last instructions to His Disciples before His suffering, entrusted them with this love, namely:  ‘These things I command you, that you love one another.’ (John 15:17) …. The measure of this love is clearly defined by the Lord Himself. He demands that we all love our neighbor as ourselves, for He said:  ‘You shall love… your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luk 10:27)… ‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.’ (Matt 7:12). Therefore my reader, take note and fulfill the following instructions:

1. You want the best for yourself and are satisfied when everything works out for the best. On the other hand you are not pleased when for some reasons things fail. Therefore wish the best for all your neighbors; rejoice when they are happy and commiserate when they fall into misfortune.

2. It is unpleasant when people react to you poorly and suspect you of some evil doing. Therefore do not speak poorly of anyone and without sufficient cause do not be suspicious of anyone. ‘Love thinks no evil.’ (1 Cor 13:5)

3. It is pleasant for you when people speak well of you. Therefore you should speak well of all your neighbors. Be especially careful not to slander your neighbor. Slander is the work of Satan, let it belong to him alone (Rev 12:10). You speak only good of your neighbor.

4. When someone speaks poorly about someone outside your circle, try, if at all possible, to defend or excuse him. Besides this, never repeat that which you have heard. For it frequently happens that things are said about people because of malice or out of revenge, and to repeat that which was said can cause enmity. Enmity is described in the Word of God as one of those vices which can prevent one from entering the Kingdom of Heaven (Gal 5:20).”

Metropolitan Gregory (Postikov) of St Petersburg.

2nd Tuesday of the Holy Great Fast

• (Day 9) Love your neighbour as yourself
• Day 8) Through your love for God
• (Day 7) Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
• (Day 6) Give your heart to God
• (Day 5) Make God Himself your way
• (Day 4) How? Seek to grow in the likeness of God
• (Day 3) How? Unite with God through prayer 
• (Day 2) How? Fulfill the will of God
• (Day 1) How? Be devoted to God
• How To Live a Holy Life (The Holy Great Fast 2018)