НЕСЧАСТЬЯ

The more misfortunes you suffer while leading a strict life, the stronger you will become; The more you adhere to wisdom, the less you will have needs, and the less you have needs, the more you will become stronger and surpass everyone. Such was John, why no one could grieve him; on the contrary, he saddened Herod. He, having nothing, rebelled against the ruler; and this one, dressed in a diadem and scarlet and other countless decorations, trembles and fears the one deprived of everything, and could not even look at his severed head without horror. And that Herod had great fear even after the death of John, then listen to what he says: this is John whom I killed (see Luke 9:9). The word “killed” shows that Herod was not proud of this, but tamed his fear and encouraged his restless soul to remember that he had killed John. Virtue is so strong that even after death it is more powerful than the living. That is why, during John’s life, those who possessed great wealth came to him and asked him: “What should we do?” (Luke 3:10). Do you have so much and want to learn the way to your happiness from someone who has nothing? Are the rich from the poor? Warriors - from someone who doesn’t even have a home? This was also Elijah, which is why he spoke to the people with the same boldness. John said: “brood of vipers!” (Matthew 3:7); and this one: “How long will you limp on both knees?” (1 Kings 18:21). This one said: “Killed him, and are you still coming into the inheritance?” (1 Kings 21:19); and he: “You must not have it” (Matt. 14:4). Do you see the stone, do you see how easily a church built on sand falls apart? How easily does she succumb to adversity? How easily does it change, even if it belonged to the king, even to the people, even to the ruler? Vice makes its followers more reckless; and the church, built on the sand, does not simply fall apart, but with great disaster... And in fact, here the danger threatens not unimportant things, but the soul, and, moreover, the deprivation of heaven and those incorruptible blessings. But even before that, the wicked will lead the most miserable life, associated with continuous sorrows, fear, worries and strong anxieties, to which pointing out, the Wise One says: “The wicked flees when no one is pursuing him” (Proverbs 28:1). Indeed, such people tremble at the shadows, suspect friends, enemies, slaves, known and unknown, and thus, before eternal torment, they still suffer the most severe torment (6). How can I, you ask, not be spoiled by misfortunes? If you understand that whether you want it or not, you must endure what you endure; and if you begin to endure with thanksgiving, you will receive very great benefit, but if you complain, be indignant and murmur, then you will not reduce your misfortune, and you will create an even greater storm. Having such thoughts, we will accept everything, no matter what happens to us out of necessity, as it would happen according to our desire. Let us suppose, for example, that one has lost his beloved son, and another has lost all his property; if you consider that it was impossible to avoid what happened, and on the other hand, that from an irreparable misfortune you can derive some benefit for yourself and courageously endure what happened, and if instead of blasphemy you give praise to the Lord, then the misfortunes that befell you against your will will be credited to you, as if they happened at your request. If you learn that your son has been kidnapped by an untimely death, say: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1:21). If you see that your property has become scarce, say: “naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I will return” (Job 1:21). Do you see that the wicked prosper, and the righteous are ill-fated and suffer thousands of misfortunes, and you do not know how to find the reason for what is happening? Say: “I was like cattle before You. But I am always with You” (Ps. 73:22, 23). And if you want to know the reason for this, then think that God has appointed a day on which he will judge the universe, and all bewilderment will disappear from you, since then everyone will receive what they deserve, like Lazarus and the rich man. Bring to mind the apostles: they were subjected to scourging and persecution, suffered thousands of disasters, they rejoiced that they were worthy to accept reproach for the name of Christ. And you, if you suffer from any illness, endure the illness courageously and thank God - and thus you will receive the same reward as the apostles (11). You might be interested in: