Беседа 7

Acts 2:37. Hearing this, they were touched in their hearts and said to Peter and the other Apostles: What should we do, men and brethren? Meekness is a great blessing. The wicked is his own enemy. 1. Do you see what a great blessing is meekness? It hurts our hearts with more cruelty and causes a more sensitive wound. Just as the one who strikes hard bodies produces a sensation that is not so strong, but whoever softens them in advance and makes them tender strikes more powerfully, so it is the same here - first one must soften them, and then strike. It is not anger that softens, nor strong accusations, nor reproaches, but meekness: anger still increases bitterness, but meekness destroys. So, if you want to touch someone who has offended you, turn to him with great meekness. Look, this is what meekness does. Peter meekly reminded the Jews of their crimes and added nothing more; spoke about the gift of God, pointed to grace as a testimony to past events, and extended the word even further, the Jews were ashamed of Peter’s meekness, because he talked with the people who crucified his Master and plotted murder against themselves (the apostles), like a father and a caring teacher. They were not only convinced, but also condemned themselves - they came to the consciousness of what they had done. This is because he did not allow them to be carried away by anger and did not allow their minds to become darkened, but with his humility he dispelled their indignation like some darkness, and then he exposed their crime. After all, this usually happens: when we say that we were offended, those who offended us try to prove that they did not offend; and when we say that we were not offended, but rather that we ourselves were offended, they do the opposite. Therefore, if you want to bring the offender into difficulty, do not blame him, but stand up for him, and he will blame himself: the human race loves to argue. This is what Peter did. He did not condemn (the Jews) with all his might, but on the contrary, he tried with all possible meekness to almost protect them and therefore touched their souls. How can you see that they were touched? From their words. What exactly are they saying? “What should we do, men and brethren?” Those who were called deceivers are now called brothers, not so much in order to compare ourselves with them, but in order to endear them to love and care. On the other hand, since the apostles honored them with this name, they say: “What should we do?” They did not immediately say: let us repent; but surrendered themselves to their will. Just as a person caught in a shipwreck or illness, seeing a helmsman or a doctor, leaves everything to him and obeys him in everything - so they admitted that they were in an extreme situation and did not even have hope of salvation. And look: they did not say: how will we be saved, but: “what should we do?” What about Peter? Here again, although everyone (the apostles) was asked, Peter answers. “Repent,” he says, “and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). And he does not yet say: believe, but: “let each of you be baptized,” because they received faith in baptism. Then he shows the benefits (of baptism): “for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). If you receive the gift, if “forgiveness” (of sins) is given through baptism, then why delay? Then, to make his word convincing, he added: “for the promise is to you” (Acts 2:39). And here he means the same promise that he spoke about above. "And to your children". This means that the gift is greater when they also have heirs of benefits. “And to all those who are distant”: if distant, then even more so to you – those close to you. “Whomsoever the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39). Look, when he says: “distant”? Then, when they were already disposed towards him and condemned themselves; after all, the soul, when it condemns itself, can no longer envy. “And with many other words he testified and exhorted, speaking” (Acts 2:40). Look how everywhere (the writer) speaks briefly, how far from ambition and boasting. “He testified,” he says, “and exhorted, speaking.” Here is a perfect teaching, inspiring both fear and love! “Save yourselves,” says (Peter), “from this corrupt generation” (Acts 2:40). It says nothing about the future, but about the present, which is what guides people most; and shows that preaching frees you from both present and future evils. “So those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added” (Acts 2:41). How many times more do you think this sign inspired the apostles? “And they continued continually in the teaching of the apostles, in fellowship” (Acts 2:42). Two virtues: both that which was endured and that which was unanimous. “In the teaching,” he says, “of the Apostles,” in order to show that even after that the Apostles taught them for a long time. “In fellowship and in the breaking of bread and in prayer.” He says they did everything together, everything with patience. “There was fear in every soul; and many signs and wonders were done through the apostles in Jerusalem” (Acts 2:43). This is natural. They no longer despised them like some ordinary people, and they no longer listened to what they saw, but their minds were cleared. And as above Peter said a lot, set out promises and showed the future, they were rightly struck with fear; miracles served as evidence of what he said. As with Christ - first signs, then teaching, then miracles, so it is now. “And all who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44). Look at the immediate success: not only in prayers, communication and not in teaching, but also in life. “And they sold their estates and all their property, and distributed it to everyone, according to each one’s need” (Acts 2:45). Look what fear they have. “And they shared it with everyone.” This was said to show how they disposed of the property. “According to everyone’s needs.” It was not simply (distributed) like the philosophers of the pagans, some of whom left the earth, while others threw a lot of gold into the sea: this was not contempt for money, but stupidity and madness. The devil has always and everywhere tried to slander God’s creatures, as if one cannot use one’s property well. “And they continued daily with one accord in the church” (Acts 2:46). Here it indicates how they accepted the teaching. 2. Notice how the Jews did nothing else, neither small nor great, but only stayed in the church. Since they became more zealous, they had more reverence for the place; and the apostles have not yet distracted them, so as not to harm them. “And breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with joy and simplicity of heart, praising God and being in favor with all the people” (Acts 2:46, 47). When he says “bread,” it seems to me that he points here both to fasting and to a strict life, since they ate food and did not indulge in luxury. From this understand, beloved, that it is not luxury, but food that brings pleasure, and that those who live luxuriously (live) in sorrow, and those who do not live luxuriously - in joy. Do you see that Peter’s words also led to this – to abstinence in life? So there can be no joy if there is no simplicity. Why, you say, did they have “the love of all the people”? According to your business, according to your alms. So do not look at the fact that the bishops rebelled against them out of envy and hatred, but at the fact that they had “the love of all the people. The Lord added daily those who were being saved to the Church” (Acts 2:47). “Yet all the believers were together.” It’s so wonderful everywhere – unanimity. “And in many other words he testified.” The apostle said this, showing that what was said was not enough; or again: the previous words were spoken in order to lead to faith, and these showed what a believer should do. And he did not say: about the cross, but: “and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” He does not constantly remind them of the cross, so that it does not seem as if he is blaspheming them; but simply says: “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.” In the courts here the law is different; but in (the work of) preaching, the sinner will be saved when he confesses his sins. See how Peter did not miss what was more important; but, having first spoken about grace, he then added this: “and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” And his word was reliable because (the apostles) themselves received (the Spirit). First he talks about what is easy and what gives a great gift, and then he leads them to life, knowing that for them the reason for jealousy will be the fact that they have already tasted so many blessings. And since the listener wanted to know what was the essence of his very many words, he adds this too, showing that this is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, those who accepted his word approved what he said, although his words were filled with fear, and after approval they proceeded to baptism. But let's see what is said above. “And they were constantly in learning.” From this it is clear that not one day, or two, or three, but for many days they studied, since they switched to a different way of life. “There was fear in every soul.” If “for everyone,” then for those who do not believe. They probably felt fear, seeing such a sudden conversion, and perhaps (this happened) from signs. Luke did not say: together, but “with one accord,” because it is possible for someone to be together, but not with one accord, dividing in thoughts. "In Prayers". And here he does not set out the teaching, taking care of the brevity of the word, although from here one can see that (the apostles) fed them, like children, with spiritual food, and then they suddenly became angels. “And they shared it with everyone, depending on the need of each.” They saw that spiritual goods are common and that no one has more than another, and therefore they soon came to the idea of ​​dividing their property among everyone. “Yet all the believers were together.” And that it was out of place that they were “together” is evident from the following words: “and they had everything in common.” “Still,” he says; and not so that one had and the other did not. It was an angelic society because they called nothing theirs. From here the root of evil was plucked out, and by their deeds they showed that they had heard (the word of the sermon). The apostle said this: “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. So those who gladly accepted his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added” (Acts 2:40-41). Since there were now three thousand of them, (the apostles) had already driven them out, and with great boldness they came to the church every day and remained in it. This is exactly what Peter and John did, not much later, because they had not yet rejected anything Jewish; and the very respect for the place went to the Lord of the church. Have you seen the success of godliness? They renounced their property and rejoiced, and the joy was great, because the goods they acquired were greater. No one reviled, no one envied, no one was at enmity; there was no pride, there was no contempt; everyone accepted instructions like children, everyone was tuned in like newborns. But why am I speaking in a dark way? Remember how humble everyone was when God shook our city? They were in exactly the same state then: there were no treacherous ones, there were no crafty ones. This is what fear means, this is what grief means! There was no cold word: mine and yours; therefore there was joy at the meal. Nobody thought they had their own; no one (thought) that there was something alien, although it seems like a mystery. They did not consider what belonged to the brothers as a stranger, since it was the Lord’s; They were not considered theirs, but belonged to their brothers. Neither the poor man was ashamed, nor the rich man was proud: this is what it means to rejoice! And he considered himself favored and felt that he was enjoying more benefits, and these found their glory in that; and everyone was strongly attached to each other. After all, it happens that when property is distributed, there is resentment, pride, and sorrow; That’s why the apostle said: “not with grief or under compulsion” (2 Cor. 9:7). Look how much (Luke) glorifies in them: sincere faith, right life, constancy in listening, in prayer, in simplicity, in joy. 3. Two (things) could plunge them into sadness: fasting and distribution of property. But they rejoiced at both. Who wouldn’t love people with such feelings as common fathers? They did not plot any evil against each other and left everything to the grace of God. There was no fear between them, despite the fact that they were in the midst of danger. But all their virtue, much higher than contempt for property, and fasting, and constancy in prayer, (the apostle) expressed (in the word): “in simplicity.” In this way they praised God without reproach; or better: this is what praise to God consists of. But look how they immediately receive a reward here: the fact that they “are in the love of all the people” shows that they were loved and were worthy of love. And who wouldn’t be amazed, who wouldn’t marvel at a man of simple disposition? Or who would not become attached to someone in whom there is nothing treacherous? To whom else, if not this, does salvation belong? Who, if not them, receives great benefits? Weren't the shepherds the first to hear the gospel? Isn't it Joseph, this simple man - so that the suspicion of adultery does not frighten him and prompt him to do any evil? Did not the Lord choose ordinary villagers to be apostles? It is said: “Blessed is every simple thing 10” (Proverbs 11:25). And again: “he who walks simply 11 walks confidently” (Prov. 10:9). So, you might say, but prudence is also necessary. What else is simplicity if not prudence? After all, when you do not suspect anything evil, then you cannot plot evil. When you are not upset by anything, then you cannot be vindictive. Has anyone offended you? You weren't sad. Did you slander? You didn't suffer anything. Did I envy you? And you didn't suffer at all from this. Simplicity is a certain path to wisdom. No one is as beautiful in soul as a simple person. Just as in relation to the body a person who is sad, dejected and gloomy, even if he is beautiful in appearance, loses a lot of beauty, but a carefree and meekly smiling person increases beauty, so it is in relation to the soul. A gloomy person, even if he has thousands of good deeds, takes away all the beauty from them; and open and simple - on the contrary. Such a person can be safely made a friend, and if he becomes an enemy, it is (not dangerous) to be reconciled with him. For such a person, neither guards and guards, nor bonds and shackles are needed; he himself will enjoy great peace, and all those living with him. What do you say if such a person ends up in the company of bad people? God, who commanded us to be simple, will extend his hand to him. What is simpler than David? What is more wicked than Saul? Meanwhile, who was the winner? What (to say) about Joseph? Didn’t he come to his mistress in simplicity of heart, and didn’t she have an evil intention? And yet, tell me, did he suffer any harm? What is simpler than Abel? What is more insidious than Cain? And the same, again, didn’t Joseph just treat his brothers? Was it because he became famous because he said everything with credulity, while his brothers accepted it with evil intent? He spoke about dreams once, he said it another time, and was not careful. And he again went to take food to them, and was not at all careful, relying on God in everything. But the more they treated him as an enemy, the more he treated them as brothers. God could not have allowed him to fall (into the hands of the brothers), but he allowed it in order to show the miracle and the fact that, although they would treat him like enemies, he would be above them. Thus, if (a common man) receives a wound, it is not from himself, but from another. The evil one strikes first of all to himself and no one else. Thus he is his own enemy. The soul of such a person is always full of sadness, while his thoughts are always gloomy. If he has to listen or say something, he does everything with criticism, blames everything. Friendship and harmony are very far from such people; they have quarrels, hostility and troubles; Such people suspect themselves. Even sleep is unpleasant for them, just like nothing else. If they have a wife, oh! then they become enemies and adversaries to everyone: endless jealousy, constant fear! The evil one (πονηρός) is called that way because he is in labor (παρὰ τὸ πονεῖν). Likewise, Scripture always calls wickedness labor, when, for example, it says: “on its tongue is torment and malice” 12 (Ps. 9:28); and in another place: “and most of them are labor and sickness” 13 (Ps. 89:10). If anyone wonders why at first (Christians) were like that, but now they are no longer like that, let him know that the reason for this was sorrow, the teacher of wisdom, the mother of piety. When there was a distribution of property, then there was no guile. So, you say; but this is exactly what I’m asking: why is there such deceit now? Why did these three and five thousand suddenly decide to choose virtue and thus all became wise, and now there is barely one? Why did they agree then? What made them jealous and excited? What suddenly ignited them? This is because they approached with great reverence; because (then) there were no honors as there are now; because they moved their thoughts into the future, and did not expect anything of the present. It is natural for an inflamed soul to live in sorrows: they considered this Christianity, they, but not us; and now we are looking for a peaceful life here. Therefore, we will not achieve, even though we should, those (virtues). “What should we do?” - they asked, considering themselves in a desperate situation. You, on the contrary: what will we do? – you say, boasting to those present and thinking a lot about yourself. They did what they should have done, and we are doing the opposite. They blamed themselves, despaired of their salvation; that's why they became like this. They appreciated what a great gift they had received. 4. How can you be like that when you do everything not like them, but on the contrary? They, as they soon heard, were immediately baptized. They did not say these cold words that we are now saying, and did not think about delay, although we had not yet listened to all the excuses, but only this: “Save yourself from this generation.” They did not hesitate because of this, but accepted these words, and what they accepted, they proved by deeds and showed what they were. As soon as they entered the fight, they immediately took off their clothes; and when we enter, we want to fight in our clothes. Therefore, our enemy does not need to work, and we, entangled in our (clothes), often fall. We do the same as if someone, seeing a real fighter, dusty, black, naked, covered with dirt from dust and from the sun, and doused with oil, sweat and dirt, went out to fight him, and meanwhile he himself, emitting the smell of fragrant ointments, put on silk clothes and gold shoes, a dress that flows to the heels, and gold jewelry on his head. Such a person will not only hinder himself, but also, paying all his attention to not soiling or tearing his clothes, will immediately fall from the first onslaught and, as he feared, will now suffer, being hit in the main parts of the body. The time of struggle has come - are you dressing in silk clothes? It's time for exercise, time for competition - and do you decorate yourself as if at a celebration? How can you remain a winner? Do not look at the external, but at the internal: after all, with worries about the external, like heavy bonds, the soul is bound from everywhere, so that we cannot raise our hands or rush towards the enemy, but we become weak and pampered. It would be good if we, having freed ourselves from everything (this), could defeat that evil spirit. Therefore, Christ, since it is not enough to reject only property, look what he says: “Go, sell everything that you have and give to the poor... and come, follow Me” (Mark 10:21). If even then, when we leave the property, we are not yet safe, but have a need for some other exercise and tireless labor, then even more so, having owned (the property), we will not do anything great, but will be ridiculed both by the spectators and by the very spirit of malice. After all, even if there were no devil, even if no one fought against us, then countless paths from everywhere lead the money-lover to Gehenna. Where are those now who say: Why was the devil created? Here the devil does nothing, but we do everything. And let those living in the mountains say this - those who, out of chastity, out of contempt for wealth and out of disregard for other blessings, would have decided thousands of times to leave their father, and house, and fields, and wife, and children. But most of all they don’t say this, but those who should never say it say it. There, truly, there is a struggle with the devil: but one should not introduce him here. But this love of money, you say, is inspired by the devil. Run away from it and don’t accept it, man! After all, if you see that someone is throwing out uncleanness from behind some fence and that (another), seeing how he is doused, stands and takes everything on his own head, not only will you not regret him, but you will also be indignant at him and say that he rightly suffers. And everyone will tell him: don’t be mad, and he will not so much blame the one who throws as the one who accepts. Meanwhile, you know that the love of money is from the devil; you know that it is the cause of countless evils; you see that the devil throws away unclean and shameful thoughts like dirt, and, with your head naked, accepting his uncleanness, you do not think about how you should, by stepping away a little, free yourself from all this. Just as he, if he stood aside, would get rid of the dirt, so do not accept such thoughts, and avoid sin, reject the desire. But how, you say, should I reject? If you were a pagan and valued only the present, perhaps it would be very difficult, although the pagans did it too. But you are a person waiting for heaven and what is in heaven, and you say: how to reject? If I said the opposite, then it would be difficult. If I said: wish for money, you could say: how can I wish for money when I see such (goods)? Tell me: if at the time when gold and precious stones lie before you, I told you: desire tin, wouldn’t there be difficulty? You would, of course, say: how can I (desire this)? And if I said: don’t wish for it, it would be easier. I am not surprised at those who neglect (money), but (I am surprised) at those who do not neglect it. This is a sign of a soul filled with extreme laziness - a soul no different from flies and mosquitoes, tied to the earth, wallowing in the mud, unable to imagine anything great. What are you saying? You want to inherit eternal life, and you say: how can I despise the present for her? Is it really possible to compare this? You want to receive royal clothing, and you say: how can one despise rags? You expect to be led into the king’s house, and you say: how can you despise a real poor hut? Truly, we are guilty of everything because we do not want to excite ourselves in any way. Yet everyone who wanted to did as they should did, and did it with great zeal and ease. May God grant that you, having obeyed our admonition, will correct yourself and become zealous imitators of those who lived virtuously - by the grace and love of His only begotten Son, with whom to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, honor, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. These conversations were delivered by the saint in Constantinople in 400 or 401. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” Prof. Yungerova - a “faithful” soul” Prof. Yungerova - “straight”. Translation by P. Yungerov – Editorial office of “The ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: