Слово в понедельник недели 1-й Великого поста, на часах

Many of you, brethren, have the ability to read and understand writing; some are so accustomed to reading books that they cannot spend a day without this spiritual food. We strongly advise against giving up reading at all these days. But what kind of reading is appropriate for these days? Obviously, not what happens in other times. Is it proper, for example, these days to pick up any story written for one pastime, no matter how well-intentioned it may be? The hours remaining for the hours of Divine service and pious reflection are so few that spending them on reading something that is not directly beneficial and sacred would be a sign of obvious inattention to one’s own salvation. What is now decent for reading lovers to read? In response to this, I ask you, what do you hope to enter into with God through the sacrament of repentance and communion? – Isn’t it a new covenant of faith, love, hope and fidelity until death? – So, read first of all the New Testament, inscribed for all of us, one might say, not with a reed and ink, but with the Blood of our Lord and Savior. Here you will see the essence and all the conditions of the blessed union of God with man, which is violated by our sins, and into which we again enter through faith and repentance. If for someone reading the entire New Testament was inconvenient, read at least one of the four Gospels, which tell about the incarnation and death of the Son of God. Reading the New Testament with great benefit can be preceded by reading at least the first chapters from the Old Testament, which describe the fall of our forefathers, and in their person, all of humanity, with its terrible consequences for all of us. Such reading is the closest and natural preparation for reading and understanding the New Testament. For one must learn the importance of illness in order to learn to value time and medicine. Whoever sees the entire abyss of human fall (and it is impossible not to see it after reading at least three chapters from the book of Genesis), he cannot help but feel the ardent love for the One who came to rescue us from this abyss and whose deeds and death are described in the New Testament. After the Gospel, it is very useful to read at least one of the apostolic epistles, especially the letter to the Romans, which depicts the terrible state of man in a natural state, without faith in the Son of God, and the blessed state of man, justified by this faith, sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Church itself sets us an example of reading the New Testament, proclaiming all four Gospels in our ears during the last week of Lent, as you yourself know. During this week she does not do this, perhaps so that we can now do it ourselves. After reading the Holy Scriptures, if you have enough time and diligence, it is very useful and decent for many, if not all, to read the sacred Catechism, where, on behalf of the Church itself, for all her children, the essence of our faith and our duties, the object of our hope and prayers is set forth. This can be of considerable help in spiritually testing ourselves - before confession, when reviewing our faith and our duties. Can't find news in the Catechism? – But it is not in the mirror either: it is always the same; however, you often look at it. The mirror reveals news in you: so does the Catechism. Looking into this mirror of faith, hope and love, you can discover in yourself, in your way of thinking and behavior, much that other, most learned and eloquent books will not reveal to you. If there is time left for this reading, then use it to read such works that awaken the spirit of Christian repentance. Thanks to the maternal care of the Holy Church, we have no shortage of books of this kind. Just the conversations of St. Chrysostom about repentance and the touching penitential teachings of St. Ephraim the Syrian are enough to touch the heart of every reader. Among the Russian Church Fathers, the first preacher of repentance is Saint Demetrius of Rostov. What did not come from his Christian pen for the benefit of repentant sinners? He left us a touching veneration of the Savior’s suffering, reverent reflection on the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and a prayer of confession before God of a repentant sinner. The same should be said about the works of Blessed Tikhon of Voronezh. How wisely he exposes sin from all its embellishments and points out its poisonousness! How fatherly he enters into the position of the unfortunate sinner! How meekly he calls him to the Savior! How touchingly he points to the Cross and the wounds of Christ! After these tips for readers, what should I say to you who lack the ability to read? – You, brothers, listen with attention to what is read here: for here everything that is necessary for salvation is read. And if even after this you envied the fate of those who read, then I will tell you: read for yourself! – read – in your conscience! Her letters are understandable to everyone: and what is written in our conscience by ourselves is more important to us than anything written by others. All human books will disappear over time, and the scroll of conscience will remain alone with us. One reading from it will be offered at the Last Judgment of God. So, before this scroll is read there, read it as often as possible, with all attention, here. And don’t just read, but try to correct. All other books are only read; those who read can and should change from them, but we cannot change them. And the scroll of conscience is such that it must be read and corrected, and read in order to correct it. Amen. You might be interested in: