Поучение 12. О том, чтобы иметь трезвение и совершать досточудные дела блаженного послушания.

Brothers, fathers and children! Again, after a long time, upon our return from our wanderings, we begin our usual teachings. And here is my first word to you: whether we are far from you or whether we are here, although I am a sinner, I ask and pray to God that He will keep you safe and sound, and that you may freely carry out this holy life of yours, and that not one of you will stumble through the slander of the devil, but that you will always be attentive and try to do the most wonderful deeds of obedience. For when you observe this, then everything else will not cause me any sadness, although it usually brings sadness, I’m talking about the cramped state of our bodily life, in which we find ourselves at this hour. But I also consider cramped space as space, and poverty as wealth, and misfortune as prosperity, and so on in a similar way: since I am a mentor, I have hope and faith that the Lord “will not kill with famine... the souls of the righteous” (Prov. 10:3) and will not abandon his saints, as you are by the grace of Christ, nourished, watered, covered and warmed by the Most High providence, not only in spiritual vision, but also in bodily service; for who would be able to give us everything we need if the power of God were not with you? Therefore, I beg and teach you always, each of you, as far as possible, will be careful in the obedience in which you are, so that by working hard you may be fruitful, both spiritually and sensually. For one thing is known through the other, that is, whoever is careful in the physical is also careful in the spiritual; just as, on the contrary, whoever is careless in the body is barren in soul. My second word is that we must have everything in common, not only physical and sensory, but also spiritual and mental. Therefore, let us communicate virtues and good deeds to each other, and transfer them one to another, as we see in the physical, according to the words of the Apostle: “For... there is one body and there are many bodies, but all these bodies... are one body. And if one soul suffers... all the tribes will have compassion: if... one soul is glorified, all the tribes will rejoice with him” 21 (1 Cor. 12:12, 26). And just as from head to toe, from right to left, the need for the service of each member is felt, so should one understand about the spiritual. First, my Father and yours, then I second, and then the rest, even to the very last, we will have praise or blame on the day of retribution. Do not think that I rejoice if, like the first, I have more blessings. I fear and tremble; because both for good and for evil there will be retribution, and for the evil I commit, I, the accursed one, will give an answer more to the extent that I surpass the lesser. Knowing this, children, let us all try and strive, let us all, each according to his obedience and according to his strength, bring benefit, and not harm or loss, to the common cause. You should also know that God will not judge on that day as we judge; for there is another judgment of God and another of man. He will place the thirtieth third or fourth, and the tenth will relegate to the middle place, and the last will elevate to the first, depending on the virtue and diligence of each. And although it is terrible to say, we will also say that God will separate some of the brethren who are perfect (in the image) and send them to torment, that is, those who live here without obedience and according to their own will, and are guided by their own reason, just like me, a sinner, for my laziness and evil deeds. What do you think? Does the one who goes to obedience really work in vain? – who digs or cooks food? Is it really possible that all those who do not have the opportunity to sit, be silent, read psalms and sing, will not receive an equal share with those sitting in the monastery and reading? Truly I tell you, they will accept it. So in war those who fight with those who remain to store the camp divide the booty equally: and people sometimes sin and violate the truth, but the sinless God in no way; but, according to Scripture, we measure it in measure, and it will be measured to us. Therefore, my brethren, let us be attentive to what has been said, and let us not, those who labor inwardly, humiliate those who labor externally; and the latter are the first, that is, those who sing and pray are engaged in obedience; and the weak and healthy. Someone will say: how can the weak serve? And he can do a lot: through thanksgiving, non-murmuring and patience with illness. God sees our deeds, and in His book all our words 22 are written and will be written, and on the day of judgment the books of our deeds will be opened and the deeds of each of us will be made clear, and each will accept according to his deeds. I pray that all of you will then receive praise and be crowned for your holy deeds and labors that you undertake here. I want you to know that there is no better healing for salvation than confession, which you also know; and this gift was given from God. So, why do some of you hesitate to confess, and through silence drown, are wounded and infest worms from hidden thoughts? And for this, my children, I suffer from your illness, and I regret you. Having the opportunity to be healed, enlightened and have a bright face, why do we remain otherwise? God knows everything, “for the creation is not manifest before him, but is all naked and declared before his eyes” (Heb. 4:13). But I also must know your thoughts, which is why I seek your confession, so that I can know my children, and so that they know me. This is what true spiritual birth consists of; this is not slavish obedience, this is the path without care; This is where sweet prayer is, the everlasting prosperity, growth and deification of the one who has this gift. Pray, children, that I too may see from afar the threshold of dispassion; this is especially necessary in order to guide you, and so that I do not remain under the weight of sin. It is commendable if tears of tenderness are shed. Pure prayer at night and during the day is commendable. Patience of reproaches is commendable. Carefulness in handicraft is commendable. Staying awake in reading is commendable. Recency and conversation that is not accompanied by laughter are commendable. Moderate abstinence is commendable, and to eat and drink with reason and according to the commandment. The unceasing remembrance of death is commendable and in order to imitate the life of the saints according to its strength. It is commendable to flee from disastrous boldness and to be thorough in divine humility. “Everything...that tempts,” according to the words of the Apostle, “hold good” (1 Thess. 5:21). May the Lord give you strength and courage, may He strengthen you in spiritual and physical activities, may He preserve you in both, and may He increase your needs in Christ Jesus our Lord, to Whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. In glory all thoughts; in Greek πάντες σἳ λὸγοι. You might be interested in: