ЗЛОПАМЯТСТВО

Why should we imitate violent people, devouring each other and fighting against their own flesh? Listen to how strongly it is said about this in the Old Testament: “In the path of righteousness there is life, and in its path there is no death” (Prov. 12:28). “Man harbors anger towards man, but asks the Lord for forgiveness” (Sir. 28:3). But God allowed revenge: “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (Ex. 21:24): why, in this case, does He blame it? Because He allowed this not so that we would actually act this way towards each other, but so that out of fear of punishment we would not dare to offend. Moreover, such vengeance is characteristic of short-term anger, and rancor is characteristic of a soul overwhelmed by anger. Have you been harmed? But it is by no means as great as the one you inflict on yourself through rancor. In addition, no harm can be done to a good person. Let us imagine that someone, having children and a wife, leads a perfect life; let him have many opportunities to get harmed; Let him have enormous wealth, power, many friends, enjoy honors and, however, lead a perfect life (this must be added) - and let us imagine that disasters befall him. Let, for example, some evil person cause damage to his property: but what does this mean for someone who values ​​his property as nothing? Let him kill his children: but what does this mean for one who is confident in the resurrection of the dead? Let him kill his wife: but what does this mean for one who has learned not to cry for the dead? Let him dishonor him: but what does this mean for someone who imagines everything real as a grass color? Let him, if you like, wound even his body and throw him into prison: but what does this mean for one who knows that “even if our outer man decays, our inner man... is renewed” (2 Cor. 4:16), and “that from tribulation comes patience” (Rom. 5:3)? I am sure that such a person will not suffer any harm, but on the contrary, as explained before, will receive benefit: he will be renewed and become skilled. So, let us not torment ourselves with the insults of others, thereby causing harm to ourselves and weakening our spiritual strength. Torment comes not so much from the malice of our neighbors as from our cowardice. That’s why, if someone offends us, we cry and give in to despondency; if something is stolen from us, we experience the same thing, like small children who are irritated by their peers, who are more frisky, embarrassing them not with something important, but with trifles, and if they see that they are angry with them, they do not cease to annoy them, and if they see that they are laughing, they retreat from them. But we are more senseless than children - we cry about what we should laugh at. Therefore, I beg you, let us leave such childish feelings; Let us strive for heavenly things. Christ wants us to be men, and perfect men. Paul also commanded the same, saying: “Brothers! Do not be children in mind: be infants to evil” (1 Cor. 14:20). So, let us be babes to evil and, avoiding sin, let us adhere to virtue (7). Even if you were a sinner, boldly ask Him for forgiveness of sins, if you can imagine this good deed on your part; and even if you were a righteous person, if you do not have remembrance of malice, you will not receive any benefit. A person who has forgiven his neighbor cannot fail to receive perfect forgiveness [from God], because God is incomparably more loving than us; everyone knows this. What are you saying? If you can say [before God]: I was offended, but I curbed my anger and overcame its violent outburst according to Your commandment, then will He not also forgive you? Without a doubt, he will forgive. Let us cleanse our souls from memory of malice; this will be enough for us to be heard; Let us pray with attention and great zeal (10). You might be interested in: