Поучение 14. О благодарном перенесении скорбей нашей жизни.

Looking at my evil deeds, I realize that my weak word to you will not serve to correct you; but in order not to hear what was said to me in the Holy Gospel: “You wicked and lazy servant... it is fitting... for you to give my money to a trader” (Matthew 25, 26, 27), I am forced to speak to you and remind you of what is due. And I believe that by your good zeal for the commandments and your good will, you will make my obscenity necessary. So, my children, work and strive, and do not be surprised at the sorrows for God that happen in your life, as if they come beyond your expectation. Didn’t you, when you came from the world, promise this before God and His holy Angels, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven to endure all sorrow and distress, that is, hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, reproaches, reproaches and other sorrows? So there is nothing extraordinary about this; but what you promised to endure happens, no matter how many times it happens. What is the profit from this? The inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, joy in eternal blessings, the enjoyment of immortality, the bliss of eternal life, sonhood and heavenly pleasure, and anything else that exists and is spoken of. Truly, “the sufferings of this present time are unworthy for the glory that would be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18), says the Apostle. And here he, the nourisher of the entire universe, is among the infidels, as among lions, bears, leopards and wolves; he is dragged, beaten, tormented, reviled; he hungers and thirsts, but even with all this he did day and night with his own hands, so as not to burden anyone, but to be able to satisfy the bodily needs of both his own and those with him. And if we endure with gratitude and patience what happens to us, good will come to us, and we will not lose a part of them. If we grumble, are embarrassed and are burdened, then how will we be worthy to be with those who resisted sin to the point of bleeding? Or how can we not be subjected to ridicule on that day, when we did not want to do even easier things with zeal, such as: unquestioning obedience, work without grumbling, unproud service, timely silence, prudent conversation, moving away from obedience, diligence in work, cutting off the will, and accepting with gratitude and patience the reprimand that occurs; constant presence in prayer and singing, both night and day, and daily singing of psalms; all this and much more (I can’t count it all), if we accept with thanksgiving and patience, then our life will be good, and it will be good, and God will rejoice in our deeds, and will prepare for us a crown of martyrdom. So, which of the above will separate us from the love of Christ? Nothing. But if we need to die every day, then we will accept this with joy, rejoicing and rejoicing only because we are suffering for Christ. And let there be no stumbling block between us, so that our life is not disgraced. But enough about this. You know that we have a shortage of wheat, for because of my sins my fields were barren. But if you are joyful in spirit, there will be no shortage of anything; for the Lord said, and His promises are true: “Seek... first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). He showed this before, and shows us every day, before our eyes, with His miracles and gifts. Only, as we said, raise your hands to heaven in honor and truth, and our good Builder and Giver of everything will give the rest; for to Him belongs glory, honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: