Поучение 11. О том, чтобы повиноваться настоятелю; как повинуется железо ковачу, и таким образом жить беспопечительно.

Brothers, fathers and children! I see how every day, like some fertile field, the host of brotherhood is growing, and I am afraid that the seed of my humble word is not only not enough, but also dry, and cannot embrace the entire field, and through teaching, cleanse, plow and sow the seed of the commandments on it, so that it grows and is perfected. However, I strive as hard as I have in order to bring you at least a little benefit; and you, my brothers, like good soil, “bear fruit,” according to the word of the Lord (Luke 8:15), both for yourself and for Him, the salvation of your souls. We have work ahead of us, as the prophet David says, “until we enter into the sanctuary of God, and we understand... its last” (Ps. 72: 16, 17). Therefore, it is necessary to work and shed sweat in spiritual exploits, to be zealous for good, to strive with our souls in order to have time to enter the field, to receive victorious crowns through the venerable death. For you yourselves know that labor gives birth to tranquility, hunger and thirst of the throat and sorrows cultivate immortal joys, thirst and burning lips bring forth water, as the Lord said, “flowing into eternal life” (John 4:14), as David the psalmist says about this: “those who sow with tears will reap with joy” (Ps. 125:5). If you know this, “blessed are you,” according to the word of Scripture, “if you do” (John 13:17). And “a foolish man does not know, and a fool does not understand these things” (Ps. 91:7). But you are wise, reasonable and prudent, and therefore you have comprehended some of the virtues, and others you comprehend, and you will comprehend again; for the commandment has no measure; but to the extent that someone loves God, he will know that he is far from fulfilling the commandment. Here we guide you with rules, and instruct you, and forbid you in certain things; but we again confirm otherwise, and leave you to do as you should. And you obey and obey in everything that we want according to God, like a smith who strikes iron, and thus you live without worries, and your life is safe. But you yourself, if you know anything good, do it and advise one another. For we all have in mind the common good, and are like a certain ship, with a helmsman and swimmers, floating on the sea. So I am among you. I must steer the rudder, stay more awake, and look to the sky, looking at the star of righteousness, to steer the ship. But you must also stay awake, help, and when moving from one side to the other, watch, so that no storm comes across you, and you do not expose yourself to danger, so that from inattention you do not find yourself stranded, or from carelessness you do not suddenly hit a rock; but hold the ship's tackle and ropes in your hands, watch when to hold them and when to let go, so that our spiritual ship reaches the haven of salvation; for for this purpose we have left the world and the lusts of the flesh and the will. So, brothers, let us be patient and thorough in the works of virtue; and I am sure that we will receive crowns and will have fun in heaven, where there is no labor and illness, sadness and sighing. Arm yourself with courage and strength, and let the lamp of your zeal shine empty, supported by the oil of patience, so that it does not go out, and so that we do not suffer the incorrigible disaster of the foolish virgins. Obtain silence, my most honest brothers! I do not command not to speak at all, for our life does not require this, but not to say what you should not say and what leads you to laugh. For as wisdom says, “much talk does not keep you from sin” (Prov. 10:19); and if you hold your tongue, you will be understanding and wise. Be attentive to your obediences, do not be careless in your work, and do not spoil necessary things, whether it be a cart, or a drill, or a writing cane, another has an ax, another has a dish, and what happens to someone else. For because of this the day happens to be ruined; and we spend the time needed for spiritual matters on insignificant matters. I also remind you of abstinence, so that you do not fast beyond what is commanded to you, so as not to weaken; for it is said: do not turn aside “either on the right hand or on the other side” (Deut. 17:11), but follow the royal path. There are difficult matters where, in particular, much abstinence does not bring benefit. Be attentive to your deeds and thorough in everything, and pray that God will send us help against invisible and visible enemies, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: