Мысли по случаю известия об одном больном купце, страдающем на ложе уже девять лет.

Saint Chrysostom, in his word about the fact that one should not be embarrassed by the misfortunes of virtuous people and the prosperity of vicious people, says, among other things, this: if a wicked person does good here, then this will serve to his misfortune there, because he, having received reward here for his few virtues, will be subjected to due punishment there. That is why he prospers on earth. But the one who suffers punishment here is much happier, because, having been cleansed here of all sins, he will appear there immaculate, pure and innocent. The Apostle Paul, explaining this truth, says: For this reason many of you are weak and sick, and many are dying [1 Cor. 11:30], and in another place: deliver to Satan for the destruction of the flesh [1 Cor. 5:5]. And the prophet Isaiah reasons: from the hand of the Lord he accepted double for all his sins [Isa. 40:2 ]; also: Lord! You give us peace; for You also arrange all our affairs for us [Isa. 26:12]. This is how it should be even in our minds. We know that God is Love; He does not want His creature to suffer, but wants it to enjoy bliss; but since our sins serve as the strongest obstacle to bliss, He, in His goodness, heals us from sins sometimes with serious illnesses so that, having been cleansed from them, we are able to be blissful not only here, but, what is most important and dear to us, in heaven, in eternity. Sometimes a person suffers here all his life. This is all the better for him: having been completely cleansed of sins here, he will move into eternity holy and blameless to enjoy the blessings of heaven. You might be interested in: