188. От самооправдания никогда не бывает пользы. Страсти излечиваются терпением и трудом, а наипаче – помощию Божиею. При рассеянности нужны труд, понуждение себя и призывание помощи Божией. Молись Господу, чтобы сказать полезное вопрошающим

M. St. O. n. G.I.H.B.n. p.n. Most venerable Mother Magdalene in the Lord! I earnestly wish you God’s mercy and spiritual salvation. I received two letters from you on December 2 and 22. For your congratulations on the Nativity of Christ and the New Year, God bless you. I also congratulate you, and prayerfully wish you help and success from the Lord in the matter of spiritual salvation and in your work at the monastery. You also write that you received the last letter with sadness. What to do, you have to be patient. My scribe is in the hospital, I myself am weak and now I can hardly answer. I forgive you for your thoughts and I don’t refuse to answer you to the best of my ability, just arm yourself with a little patience. I will soon send the books that are found in our monastery. You will learn to say: “Forgive me, may the Lord help you.” This is the basis of monastic life. If something is not her fault, then the truth can be explained. But if you see that they don’t accept your excuse, you should rather humble yourself, take the blame, and say: “I’m sorry.” This will pacify both your heart and the one who speaks to you. But self-justification only adds embarrassment to embarrassment, and there is never any benefit from it. Passions are cured through patience and work, and most importantly through the help of God, which is sent down to the humble. But we must remember that passions do not suddenly erupt, but it requires work and time, and therefore we should not be embarrassed when passions arise in us, but pray, repent to God, ask for help and, most of all, humble ourselves. Also, when you are absent-minded, you need to work and force yourself and call on God’s help. If you happen to give in, then rather repent and not be embarrassed. You ask whether it is possible to ask Mother for clarification on some questions. Will this be convenient for those asking? If there is no inconvenience, then you can ask if necessary. And if you see that it is otherwise and it is inconvenient to convey to Mother, then answer yourself what the Lord puts on your heart. Always pray to the Lord to enlighten your thoughts and say something useful to those who ask. When they come to you for advice, the doors must certainly be closed and the cell attendants sent out. Seeing this, those who come to you will be more open, and this will be to their benefit. And it’s even a sin to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations. May the Lord calm the novice Alexandra in the Kingdom of Heaven. You write that you don’t believe the dream. - It’s in vain, you shouldn’t deny it. Of course, there are also empty dreams, but this dream cannot be classified as such, for its consequences show that this dream was from grace. Others do as they wish, but you stick to the faith and do not succumb to current influence. Incidents in your life that you write about, and healings through the prayers of Fr. Ambrose, - all this is supernatural and happens through the action of God’s grace, and there is no reason to doubt it. May the Queen of Heaven console your monastery with Her mercy. May the Lord rest the deceased novice Vera in the Kingdom of Heaven. I send a blessing to Lydia Ivanovna, Evstolia and Pasha and thank you for your congratulations. May the Lord strengthen Lydia Ivanovna’s health. There is no need to be discouraged, but one must trust in the mercy of God. You should not leave the monastery. Calling upon you peace and God’s blessing, I remain with the desire for salvation. You might be interested in: