417. Если не смиримся добровольно, то смирят нас люди; если же люди не смирят, то смирит Сам Бог

Sister in the Lord Pelagia! I received your letter dated June 25th. You shouldn't have gotten so excited. If you act so proudly towards Mother Abbess, then before whom will you humble yourself after this? And we need to humble ourselves. One of our Optina ascetics used to say: “If we do not humble ourselves voluntarily, then people will humble us; if people do not humble us, then God Himself will humble us.” Do you want to go home and visit us? “If Mother Abbess lets go, then God bless her.” Listen, listen to Mother! Peace to you and God's blessing. You might be interested in: