Слово в неделю 4-ю Великого поста

From our previous conversations, you already know, my brothers, that this day of the week is dedicated by the Church to the laudatory remembrance of the memory of Saint John of the Climacus. It is also not unknown that this great honor was given to him by the Church primarily for the guidance in spiritual life that many received from him during his life on earth, and which he, one might say, immortalized for all of us in his soul-saving creation, known under the name “Ladders.” So, it remains for us, in accordance with the intention of the Church, to introduce you to this Ladder, which, unfortunately, is little known even to those who would not be averse to starting not only a speculative, but also an active ascent along its sacred steps. The reason for such obscurity of this excellent book may partly be its language - Slavic, and therefore not understandable to everyone. For, learning many foreign languages, which for the most part find almost no use for us, we neglect, to our shame, about studying the Slavic language, despite the fact that it is the language of the Holy Scriptures, the language of the Church and the root of our native language. But if there was a hunt, then the Ladder of John could appear to those who wished and in the very language that for them became one of the first needs in life. For this creation, for its dignity, has long been adopted by all educated peoples. But we, sacrificing so much to the language of the Gauls, do not know how and do not want to extract from it the benefit that it could provide us with the spiritual creations found on it; but only, like foolish children, we suck the sweet poison from it, through reading soul-stirring stories and highly intelligent dreams. But let's turn to the Ladder of John. This is what he himself called a collection of soul-helping reflections on the main Christian virtues, mainly those by which our old man is suppressed and mortified in us, that is, the sin-loving flesh with its passions and lusts, and instead a new, spiritual man comes to life, grows and strengthens in us, living according to God by faith, love and the hope of eternal life. This creation was compiled for those who have dedicated themselves to monastic life; but since the essence of the work of salvation is the same for everyone and consists in cleansing our nature from the evil that nests in it, and in filling it with the grace of God, and with it all the virtues, then the Ladder of John is very useful and soul-saving for anyone who wants to be a Christian not only in words and in name, but in reality. The number of steps or spiritual reflections in the Ladder is thirty, according to the number of years of the earthly life of our Lord before His Baptism; for the Lord was baptized and went forth to the work of our salvation not before the age of thirty, and, moreover, because it should be assumed that at this time human nature reaches its full age; and we all, according to the instructions of the Apostle, must come to the measure of the age of the fulfillment of Christ - to which the Ladder of John leads and promotes. Therefore, the virtues follow in it, one after another, in their natural order and succession, starting from the preparatory and the lower! Here is a brief, external outline of John’s creation! Would you like to get acquainted with his inner spirit? To do this, in accordance with the Gospel we are currently reading (Mark 9:29), where one of the events depicts the miraculous power of prayer, let us read from his Ladder a reflection on prayer. “Prayer,” begins Saint Climacus, “in its quality, is a communication and union of a person with God: and in action, there is a petition for the welfare of the world, God’s reconciliation, the mother and daughter of tears, the cleansing of sins, a reliable bridge for passing waves of temptation, a mediastinum that protects from all misfortunes, the suppression of internal battles, angelic exercise, food for all incorporeal beings, the future fun, continuous action, source of virtues, intercessor, grace-filled gifts, invisible progress, spiritual pain, enlightenment of thought, ax of despair, affirmation of hope, destruction of sorrow, monastic wealth, silent treasure, quenching anger, mirror of spiritual progress, teacher of moderation, living representation of the human condition, messenger of future things, omen of future glory. Prayer, for the one who prays truly, is the judgment and torment of the Lord, before the future Terrible Judgment.” Tell me, which of us could better and more fully depict the property and power of prayer? How many are there, not just thoughts and feelings of prayer, but the mysteries and miracles of prayer! And how palpable it is that this entire depiction of prayer was compiled not from imagination, as is often the case with us, but from actual experience! Because every word and expression is so full of life! This is what Saint Climacus then tells about different types of prayer. “The presence in prayer is one: but there are many and different types. For others talk with God, as with their friend and Master, and not so much for their own intercession as for others, they send up a song and prayer to Him. Others ask for spiritual wealth, glory and sacred boldness towards God. Others pray to get rid of their adversary altogether. Others pray to receive some property; others, in order to be completely freed from worry about sinful debt; others, to be delivered from the boring life of this prison; others, finally, so that their crimes may be resolved.” As here, one can see not some speculative consideration, but a spiritual danger! And we could talk about types of prayer: but how? guessing and assuming, collecting, like beggars, mites of alien legends and experiences, not daring to affirm that things are happening this way and not otherwise. John has a different language; he speaks firmly and decisively; for he has accomplished what he speaks about in words. One of the most important questions about prayer is how to stand in it? “If it happens to you,” answers the Climacus, “to be accused before an earthly judge, then there is no need for you to look for another way of standing in prayer. If you yourself have never stood before any judge, and have never seen anyone being tortured below others, then at least learn this from the example of those petitions with which sick people beg doctors when the doctors want to cut or burn some of their members.” The answer is short, but completely covers the whole point. Are many words and eloquence needed in prayer? : “Do not philosophize,” admonishes the Climacus, “when praying in your own words: for often the simple and simple dumbness of a child is pleasing to the Heavenly Father. Don’t worry about being verbose around her, so that you don’t scatter your thoughts by searching for speeches. One publican's word appeased God, and one word spoken with faith saved the thief. Verbalism during prayer often brings different dreams into our mind, and plunders it; but a short and single word often brings our scattered thoughts together. Do not be too bold when praying, even if you have acquired some purity: but rather, approach God with great humility; then you will receive more boldness from Him. Even if you climb the entire ladder of virtues, always pray for the forgiveness of your sins, listening to the Apostle Paul, who says about sinners: from them am I first.” As useful and true as these tips are regarding the manner of prayer, they can still be found in other teachers who have written about prayer. But here is precious advice, which was given on this subject by one Climacus, and no doubt taken from experience. “When, no matter how you say your prayer, you feel inner pleasure or tenderness; then stop there: for then the Guardian Angel prays with us.” Are there degrees to prayer? “Yes,” answers Climacus. The beginning of prayer is to reflect the extraneous thoughts that come to us, at their first meeting, with one mind. The middle of this is when our thought deepens only in what we read and what we reason about. Its perfection lies in the rapture of our soul to God. Oh, if the Lord would grant us this final height! What should those who have not yet acquired the ability to pray do? “As long as we cannot pray properly, we are like those who teach small children to walk. Always try to elevate your thoughts to grief, or, better to say, to deepen the words of prayer into the understanding, and even if it becomes tired due to its infancy, still restore it. For inconstancy is characteristic of our thought: but he who is able to establish everything, of course, can also restore it. If you continue unfailingly in this feat, then of course He will come to you. He will set limits to the sea of ​​your thoughts and say to it: during your prayer, come until now and do not go further! It is impossible to bind the spirit with any bonds: but where the Creator of spirits is present, everyone obeys Him.” Saint John wisely reassures those who think that their prayer is fruitless and are thereby embarrassed. : “When you pray after a long time and do not receive your request, do not say that you have not gained anything through your prayer: for you have already received so much. What good could be greater than to cleave to the Lord and remain in unceasing union with Him?” The holy Ascetic also wisely answers the question: can one dare to pray for others without yet having the gift of prayer? “When you are asked to pray for the salvation of another, do not deny, although you have not yet acquired the gift of prayer. For often the faith of the one who asks and the one who prays in contrition of heart saves. When you pray for others and have been heard from God, do not become arrogant: because their faith assisted and helped you in this.” How long do you need to stand in prayer? : “Do not depart from prayer until then, until, by God’s will, the fire of your zeal will fade somewhat and the water of your tears will be exhausted. For, perhaps, you will not receive another time like this that is only capable of forgiveness of your sins in your entire life.” Let's listen to some more, especially noteworthy, advice from St. John regarding prayer. “Do not set aside for prayer the time that you should be using for the most necessary and spiritual matters.” This is very useful advice for some people. For just as there are people who completely neglect prayer and are ready to exchange it for occupying themselves with the most unimportant and unnecessary objects, so there are those who, due to some addiction to oral prayer, abandon the most important things for it, and thus cause frustration in the performance of their duties, and put criticism on prayer. The Apostle commands us to pray unceasingly: but how? not with the lips, but with the heart - not only in the church, or in front of the image, but also while engaged in the affairs of one’s calling - everywhere and at all times. “Do not count in detail,” continues Climacus, “during your prayer, all bodily vices, what they are in themselves, so that you do not become your own accuser.” Important advice again! Once the soul, by the mercy of the Lord, is cleansed by repentance from sins and enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, then the mere imagination of sins and iniquities, especially carnal ones, will already take away from it part of its mental purity: therefore, it must be avoided. Always remember that you were a great sinner in order to maintain humility and avoid dreams of your dignity: but try to forget the details of your sins, so that the thought of them, like a spark, does not create a fire in your sin-loving nature. Is it possible to learn from anything about the actions of your prayer? “It is possible,” answers Saint John, “with every prayer there is some sign that God has heard our petition: this sign consists in the resolution of our doubts and in the firm declaration of what is unknown to us.” This means that you only need to be able to observe this sign, and for this to have the subtlety of the inner spirit. What are the actions of prayer in those who know how to pray? “Some, having risen from prayer, emerge as if from some fiery furnace, feeling themselves cleansed from sinful impurity; and others, as if illuminated by some light and clothed in the clothes of humility and joy, return from the feat of prayer.” Enough for this time with these brief remarks. Isn’t it true, my brothers, that a creation that contains such rare spiritual experiences and such excellent soul-saving advice is worth paying attention to and reading, even out of curiosity, in these days of fasting and repentance? Whoever can do this and does not do this will punish himself, since he will deprive his soul of the healthiest and sweetest food. And for those who cannot have the Ladder of John themselves, we will try to help by showing it from time to time and offering it for general use from this sacred place. Amen. You might be interested in: