ЧТЕНИЕ ИЗ НОВОГО ЗАВЕТА

Ch. 1, art. 20. And immediately he called them. And they, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the workers, followed Him. It talks about James and John, brothers. How powerful is the word of the Lord, the Creator of men! He only called them to follow Him - and they went, leaving both their father and their craft forever. Art. 22. And they marveled at His (the Lord’s) teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes and Pharisees. I would look, Lord, at Your Divine face, what a divine expression was in it when You spoke to people and taught them; what grace came from Your mouth in the words of Divine wisdom, power and strength. Yes, it was impossible for any well-intentioned person to resist His words; He spoke as God, with the power and authority of God. It cannot be that the scribes and Pharisees did not also speak with some power - but that was human power, the power of vicious, selfish people. It was a shadow of power, and therefore little attention was paid to it. 25 [-27 st.]. But Jesus rebuked him (the unclean spirit), saying: Be silent and come out of him. Then the unclean spirit, shaking him (the man) and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And everyone was horrified, so they asked each other: what is this? What is this new teaching that He commands even the unclean spirits with authority, and they obey Him? How can one not see here the Creator of the world of spirits and the material world? The evil demon obeys the words of the Lord unquestioningly and reluctantly leaves the person. It was impossible not to be horrified and amazed at the sight of such a miracle; it was impossible not to be in awe of the Wonderworker. For the first time, people see such a new Teacher-Wonderworker, Who with authority commands the very unclean spirits who tormented people so much then and whose strength no one could overcome. And I, Lord, am horrified and amazed at Your works and kiss the crown of Your sacred vestments. Art. 31 Approaching, He lifted her up, taking her hand; and the fever immediately left her, and she began to serve Him. Glory, Lord, to Your omnipotence and goodness. How clear it is from Your works that You are the Creator of the world! It would be unforgivable, looking at Your deeds, not to believe that You are the Savior of the world, the promised Messiah, the Son of God. How true are Your words about the scribes and Pharisees: If I had not done among them works that no one else had done, they would not have had sin [Jn. 15:24]. 32[-34] Art. When evening came, when the sun set, they brought to Him all the sick and demon-possessed. And the whole city gathered at the door. And He healed many who were suffering from various diseases; He cast out many demons, and did not allow the demons to say that they knew that He was the Christ. The sick and demon-possessed were brought to the Savior at sunset because during the day it was absolutely impossible to find access to the Savior. But even when the sun had already set, the whole city wanted to see and hear the Savior, so that at the door of the house where the Savior was there was an impenetrable crowd of people. And here again I see the healing of my Divine Savior. He heals here too many who suffer from the most severe and inveterate ailments, and casts out evil demons with the command that they should not proclaim His Divine name, since they knew that it was their Creator and Judge. 35 art. and further. Very early in the morning, when there was still darkness everywhere, the Savior got up and went to an empty place and prayed there. Look, man, at your example: how the Lord sought an opportunity to pray to God, His Father. Having constantly been with the people, who could hardly part with Him for several hours at night, He seized a moment of general peace and retired to an empty place - to pray. But as soon as He left, everyone realized it and began to look for Him: Simon Peter and others with him chased after Him and, having found Him, told Him that everyone was looking for Him. And He told them that they needed to be in nearby cities and villages in order to preach there too, since that is why He came to earth. O most exalted Jesus! Apparently, Your face, Your conversation, Your soul, Your heart were so good and desired that it was difficult to part with You. 39 And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee and cast out demons. And here again there are healings. Your blessings were immeasurable, O Word of God. But do You do less charity now? You are the same yesterday and today, as you are forever [Heb. 13:8]. 40[-42]. A leper comes to Him and, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, says to Him: if you want, you can cleanse me. Jesus, having compassion on him, stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him: I want you to be clean. After this word, the leprosy immediately left him, and he became clean. Glory to Your mercy and omnipotence, Lord! A terrible disease, leprosy, for which Naaman, a noble nobleman of Syria, once sought healing from Elisha, and received healing according to the word of the prophet in the waters of the Jordan, marked by miracles, our Savior healed with a touch and the word: cleanse yourself. Isn’t it obvious to everyone that more than Elisha is here - Elisha, the great prophet, to whom the glorious prophet Elijah left his deep spirit, the deep grace of miracles. But such a severe illness was healed, Lord, solely by Your mercy: the sick person did not deserve it; Probably the disease struck him for his sins. Jesus, having compassion on him, stretched out his hand and touched him. Chapter 2. Jesus Christ enters Capernaum; They heard that He had entered the house, and behold, a lot of people had gathered, so that not only was the whole house in which the Savior was filled, but there was no room at the door either. The Lord taught as usual. Here they bring to Him a man weakened in his veins. Since there were many people and the crowd was overwhelming, four porters climbed onto the roof, dismantled it and lowered the patient through it to the floor where the Lord was. Seeing their faith, the Savior said to the paralytic: child, your sins are forgiven. See how the sheep smell the good Shepherd and strive to hear His word: wherever Jesus appeared, countless crowds of people met Him everywhere. And how obvious the Divine power of the Lord was to everyone: everyone, without thinking at all, brought them to heal the sick or came themselves in complete confidence that the Divine Wonderworker could heal every disease and every infirmity [Matt. 4.23]. The Savior says to the sick person: child, your sins are forgiven, and not: your illness is healed, because sins are the main cause of illness. Further, we see that some of the scribes who were sitting here thought only about Jesus Christ, that He was blaspheming, and He understood with His spirit the thoughts of their hearts and convicted them, again saying to the paralytic: I say to you, get up, take up your bed and go to your house [v. 11]. The sick man, who previously could only lie down, suddenly gets up (miracle), takes up his bed (new miracle) and goes (greater miracle) to his house in the sight of everyone. The people were amazed and loudly glorified God, admitting that they had never seen anything like it. Glory to Thee, Divine Wonderworker, Lamb of God, who accepted our ailments and bore our illnesses! 13th century and further. Then the Lord goes to the sea; all the people follow Him - and where the people are, there is the Savior’s preaching: He teaches them here too. Thus the Savior treasured every opportunity to sow the word of God; Thus He redeemed time. On the way, He saw Levi Alpheus and said to him: follow Me. And he went - the word of the Creator is so irresistibly strong! The Savior deigned to enter his house and lie down; together with Him and with His disciples sat many publicans, or cruel and predatory tax collectors, and other people who were not distinguished by righteousness. They followed Jesus from Capernaum and went with Him to the house of Levi. The Lord was so good and humble that he ate and drank with them at the newly chosen apostle’s. The scribes and Pharisees, justifying [themselves] before men and thinking highly of themselves, probably thought to find in this a reason to accuse the Savior of men of sin and said to His disciples: Why does your teacher eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? The Lord, hearing this, wisely answered them: the healthy do not require a doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Likewise, we, who are honored to be shepherds of the flock of Christ, must eat and drink with everyone and not offend our flock by refusing to participate in their meal. It is necessary to live with sheep like sheep, that is, not to shun the decency and customs accepted among the flock. It is necessary, according to the Apostle, to be everything to everyone in order to save at least some [1 Cor. 9.22]. Soon another quibble was made. The disciples of St. John the Baptist and the Pharisees fasted. And so they came and said to Him: Why are we fasting, but Your disciples are not? The Savior’s wise answer to this is known. From His answer it is clear how much He spared the weakness of His disciples. He likened them to an old robe and old wineskins. What a wonderful, witty, bright simile. Wasn’t it just that each apostle, chosen from the disciples of the Old Law, from people who had become dilapidated from passions and sins, weak in mind and heart, was like an old robe, to which it was impossible to sew a new garment without the danger of making a big hole by sewing a new garment to the old, worn out robe? It was necessary to renew, regenerate them and then force them to fulfill the requirements of the New, better Testament. Or in other words: weren’t the apostles exactly like, in a certain respect, old wineskins into which it was impossible to suddenly pour new wine of the gracious demands of the New Testament? The apostles would not have endured them due to the weakness of their nature; the Savior’s words might have seemed cruel to them, and they would not have listened to Him or even abandoned Him and thus perished. That is why, in conclusion, the Savior added that new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And when did the apostles become new people? After the Holy Spirit descended on them. Then they themselves recognized their renewed state and preached to everyone: if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation [2 Cor. 5.17]. 23 art. and further. Next. The Pharisees wanted to expose the Lord as to why His disciples plucked ears of corn and ate them on the Sabbath. The Savior pointed them to the example of David: have you never read what David did when he and those with him were in need and were hungry? And it is known that he went into the church, ate himself and gave those with him the showbread, which only the priests could eat. This means that one should not be ashamed to the extreme of the commandment, as, for example, the Jews were embarrassed by the Sabbath, not only under Jesus Christ, but also before Him, for example, under the Maccabees, to the point that they allowed enemies to attack them on the Sabbath and kill themselves. For example, the Church has prescribed fasting. And in a certain place it is extremely difficult to keep it due to the high cost or the adverse health consequences of lean food, while fast food is both cheap and healthy. In this case, Christian freedom allows one to break the fast and, without any hesitation, eat modest meals. It is not man for fasting, but fasting for man that is established. Chapter 3, art. [5]. Stretch out your hand. He stretched out, and his hand became as healthy as the other. Thus, with one word from the Creator, irregularities in the body disappear to give place to the order that exists in a healthy body. Art. 7 et seq. The Lord is coming to the sea; many people, having heard about the miracles of the Savior, came to Him from different, near and far places: from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, on the other side of the Jordan, from Tire and Sidon - and now followed Him to the sea. He told His disciples that a boat should be prepared for Him because of the multitude of people who were crowding Him, since after Jesus Christ healed many sick people, some sick people even began to throw themselves at Him to be healed, and the demon-possessed, when they saw Him, fell down to Him and shouted, saying: You are the Son of God... 13th century and further. He ascends the mountain and chooses twelve apostles. 20 tbsp. and further. He and his disciples went into one house, probably to have a snack, but so many people had gathered that they could not eat. The Savior probably taught here too; Some who were with Him in the house came out of it to persuade others to take Him, because, they said, He was going berserk (lost his temper). And the scribes said that He has Beelzebub in Himself and with his help casts out demons. The Savior's answer to this. 28 Art. and further. About the forgiveness of people, for the sake of their repentance, of all sins, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, because some said that He had an unclean spirit in Him. Ch. 4. Teaches by the sea according to the convenience of the place. A lot of people had gathered, so He climbed into the boat and, sitting, taught from it: all the people stood on the land by the sea. Here He uttered His wonderful parable about the sower. Truly creative wisdom, or omniscience, is visible in this parable. The Savior knew with perfect clarity what happens and will happen at all times with the word of God. When the disciples and those who remained with Jesus after the departure of the people asked to explain this parable to them, He said to them: Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables? He who sows, He said, sows the word, that is, He, our Lord. And those who are on the way at the time of sowing the word are those who will hear the word, but allow Satan to come and take it out of their hearts. The word is sown on a rock when those who, having heard the word, receive it with joy, but do not have the root in themselves, are frivolous, who are offended because of misfortune or because of persecution for the sake of the Gospel. The word is sown among thorns when those who hear the word suppress it with the sorrow of life 3, the deceit of wealth and other lusts and remain unfruitful. And on the good earth - when those who hear accept the word and produce fruit for thirty, sixty and a hundred. The Lord saw before Him many people who eagerly listened to His teaching, but at the same time saw the spiritual dispositions of each and every one, and therefore directed this parable against everyone as a reproof and, at the same time, as a lesson. 26 ff verses. And he said: The Kingdom of God is like if a man casts seed into the ground, and sleeps and rises night and day; and how the seed sprouts and grows, he does not know [glory: and the seed vegetates and grows, but he does not know (and how, he himself does not know)], for the earth itself produces first greenery, then an ear, then a full grain in the ear (that is, man begins with the help of God, and God increases the work of salvation). When the fruit is ripe, he immediately sends in the sickle, because the harvest has come. You save us, Lord, with Your wondrous, wise destinies, but we do not know how You save us, how You restore in us the classes of ever-living. 34 art. He did not speak to them without a parable, but explained everything to his disciples in private. How much this word contains: everything. Yes, everything that was needed for their faith, comfort and teaching of others. How much the godly apostles did not convey to us! The Gospels were written so that we may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and so that, by believing, we may have eternal life in His name. 35 art. and further. In the evening of that day, when he spoke the parable of the sower, the Lord said to His disciples: let us cross to the other side of the sea. And so, having released the people, the Savior sailed in a boat to the other side. There were other boats with Him. A strong storm arose, so that the waves were already pouring into the boat, and the boat began to sink into the water. Meanwhile, the Lord slept on the head, in the stern. So they woke Him up and said: Teacher! Do you care that we perish? Having woken up, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea: be silent, stop - the wind stopped, and it became very quiet. And he said to the disciples: why are you so scary? How do you not have faith? Everyone was seized with great fear, and they said to each other: Who is this, that both the wind and the sea obey Him? This is the triumph of our faith! This is the divinity of its Founder, so strikingly evident from His power over the elements. And how His disciples were afraid! First from the danger of dying, and then - having seen the terrible miracle of obedience to the word of the Savior of the sea and wind! Previously they looked at Him with trust, without any fear, asked Him about various subjects, talked to Him, but now they do not dare to look directly, as if they did not know Him and say: Who is this that both the sea and the winds listen to Him? Chapter 5. Having crossed to the other side of the lake, the Savior with his disciples and some of the people came to the land of the Gadarenes. As soon as He got out of the boat, He was met by a man in an unclean spirit, who had a dwelling in tomb caves, who made noise in the mountains day and night and threw stones. The strength in him was extraordinary: no one could tie him up and torture him. But then he sees Jesus, goes and bows to Him, then shouts loudly: what is it to me and to You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God; I conjure You by God, do not torment me. But the Lord had previously said to him: come out, O unclean spirit, from man. And he asked him what his name was, and he answered: My name is legion, because there are many of us. The demons beg the Lord not to send them outside the country, and they asked to enter the pigs, which is what they were commanded to do: about two thousand pigs drowned in the sea. Why did the demons not want to go outside the country, or into the abyss, according to another evangelist, but rather enter into the pigs? It must be that in the abyss they feel very bad or have nothing to do, but in this world they have places to do mischief. Since their nature is evil, doing evil is their life, their pleasure. Probably, they didn’t like the insides of pork - demons are incorporeal and have no reason to love the insides of this or that animal, but they liked the torment of animals that felt the power of evil spirits in themselves, their death in the sea. Glory to Thee, the Word of God, Creator of spirits and their almighty Ruler! The demoniac preached about his healing in the Decapolis; everyone marveled at the miracle. The Lord, having performed a miracle, crossed again to the side of the lake from which he had come. A large crowd flocks to Him; as usual, the Lord again opens His mouth and teaches. Here comes the leader of the synagogue named Jairus and, approaching Him, falls at His feet. He strongly and for a long time asks the Giver of Life to come and lay his hand on his dying daughter. The Lord has gone. The people follow Him and oppress Him from extreme crowding. Here the bleeding woman touches His vestments, and the bleeding stops: she suddenly feels that she is completely healed. Meanwhile, the Lord Himself feels through His life-giving body that healing power has come out of Him. To reveal the woman’s faith, the Lord first asks the people, addressing them: who touched My garments? - and then looked closely around Himself to see who would have done this. The woman, in fear and trembling, with the consciousness of her healing, falls to Him and reveals the whole truth. The Lord said to her: daughter (daughter)! your faith has saved you; Go in peace (rest in peace) and be well from your illness. At the very time when He was saying this to the woman, messengers from his house came to the arch-synagogue and said to him: Your daughter is dead; Why are you still forcing the Savior to come? Let Him not worry and do His work. The Lord heard these words and said to the arch-synagogue: do not be afraid, only believe. (Merciful, loving, living and life-giving, almighty Word of God, encourage me, a sinner, with the same words: the enemies of my salvation say to me: your soul is lost, why do you still pray to God for its salvation? But I do not believe them. You tell me, I hear your longed-for voice: do not be afraid, only believe. So, I believe, Lord! help my unbelief [Mk. 9:24].) Suddenly the Lord commands that no one should follow Him, and takes only three disciples: Peter, James and John, brother of James, in order to instill the idea of ​​​​the excessive importance of the upcoming task, what was the resurrection of the dead, and in order to make only those worthy eyewitnesses of the Divine miracle. (Give me, too, Lord, to see Your miracles, if not here, then at least in heaven.) So they come to the house of the head of the synagogue: joyless cries and sobs accompanied the departed soul of the beloved girl (daughter and sister); Sorrow without any hope tormented the souls of relatives and close friends. The Giver of Life says: why these joyless cries? Why are you crying? The young woman is not dead, but sleeping. A bitter, hopeless smile was the answer to the One who revives the dead. Having sent the extra ones out, and left with Him only the father and mother of the deceased and their relatives, He entered with them to where the deceased was, and, taking her by the hand, said to her: talifah kumi, that is: maiden, I tell you, stand up. Oh, terrible Divine miracle! The girl not only stood up, but also began to walk: she was about twelve years old. Everyone was horrified. The Lord forbade talking about this and told them: give her something to eat. That is, as if he said: I, with My Divine power, returned her from death to life. Now let her life be supported by the means that I gave immediately after the creation of man: give her food: food and drink, according to My wisdom, satisfy you and support your life. Marvelous are Your works, O Divine Savior! Chapter 6, Article 6. He walked around the surrounding villages and taught. Not only the cities, but also all the villages in the Palestinian cities near Jerusalem, the Lord went around with His preaching - He was so zealous! Art. 31 [and further]. The Lord sends His disciples to rest in an empty place (the people did not leave the Lord and His disciples, so they did not even have time to eat). They went alone in a boat to an empty place. Meanwhile, the people saw them and many knew that it was them: from all the cities he hurried on foot after the disciples, so that before them he came to the place where they were going to rest, and flocked to Jesus, who, coming after the disciples and seeing a large crowd, took pity on him, because he was like sheep without a shepherd. The good shepherd began to teach them here through a long conversation. How pleasant it was to look at You at this time, Love Incarnate, [when] before You thousands of simple, poor people stood in silence, eagerly listening to Your life-giving word. A lot of time had already passed (a long hour, indefinitely), and the Lord kept teaching them about the Kingdom of Heaven. The Lord's disciples come up to Him and ask Him to let the people go to buy bread for themselves in the surrounding places. The Savior imperatively answers: give them something to eat; and they say: how about buying us bread for two hundred pennies and giving them something to eat? The Lord told them to go and see how much loaves they had. They looked and said: five loaves and two fish. He ordered them to seat the people around on the greenery, and they sat down in rows, hundreds and fifty. The Lord takes five loaves and two fish, turns his gaze to heaven, blesses, then breaks the loaves and gives them to His disciples to distribute to the people; and he also divided the two fish for everyone. Everyone ate and were satisfied. There were still twelve baskets left of the loaves and fishes. There were about five thousand men in all. Wonderful lunch! And how delicious it was when it came out of the hands of the Creator of heaven and earth! This is where the Creator of the world is visible. After this dinner, the Lord forced His disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side of the lake, to Bethsaida, while He Himself dismissed the people. And, having dismissed them, he went up the mountain to pray. Evening came; the boat was in the middle of a large lake, and the Lord was alone on solid ground, without people. The Lord's love kept a watchful eye on His children, the apostles, and He noticed that with a strong opposing wind it was difficult for them to sail. Leaving prayer, the Good Shepherd went to reassure His sheep; in the fourth watch of the night He approached them on the sea as on dry land, and wanted to pass them by. The apostles, when they saw Him walking on the sea, thought that it was a ghost, and they screamed in fear, because every single one of them saw Him and was afraid. The Lord encouraged them by beginning to speak to them and said: calm down: it is I, do not be afraid. After that, he entered their boat, and the wind died down. The horror was indescribable, surprise beyond measure. This time the holy apostles did not even think about the miraculous loaves and therefore could not realize that just as it was easy for the Lord to feed five thousand people with their five loaves and two fish, it was just as easy for Him to walk with His feet on the sea as on land. So they landed on the shore and came to the land of Gennesaret. Here again there is teaching and healing. Many were healed by just touching the hem of His robe. Word of God! My soul has gone forth into Thy word! Grant me to unite with You after my death! Chapter 7, Article 5 et seq. The Pharisees and scribes ask the Lord: why do your disciples not fulfill the traditions of the elders and eat bread with foolish hands? The Lord answered: Isaiah prophesied well about you hypocrites: these people only honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain they honor Me, teaching others the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God. There are still many today who, in order to observe some external rite or church rule, sacrifice the essential duties of their title or are ready to reproach people who for some reason do not observe these rites or rules. In the matter of faith, what is most needed is internal, sincere service to God; external rituals are of much less importance. 24 Art. and further. The Lord enters the borders of Tire and Sidon; Having entered the house, He wished that no one from other houses knew about Him; He probably thought to rest a little from His incessant labors, which lasted, perhaps, day and night, but he could not hide. A woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit found out about Him and came to the house where the Savior was staying. Art. 31 and further. It leaves from here and stops between the borders of Dekapolis. Here He heals a deaf and dumb man. Having taken him aside from the people, He puts the fingers of His most pure hands into his ears, then, spitting on his hand, touches his tongue with it, lifts his eyes to heaven - he sighed and said: Ephphatha, open. His hearing suddenly opened, his tongue was resolved, and the deaf-mute began to hear well and speak correctly. Glory, Lord, to Your omnipotence and Your goodness! Chapter 8. About feeding several thousand people with seven loaves and several fish. 22 art. and further. About the healing of the blind. The Lord takes him by the hand, leads him out of the village (Bethsaida) and, spitting on his eyes and laying his hands on him, asks him: does he see anything? Opening his eyes, the patient said: I see people walking like trees. Then he again laid his hands on his eyes and thereby made him completely sighted, so that he began to see everything clearly. Then the Lord told him: do not enter the village and do not tell anyone about it. What miraculous power is in the most ordinary actions of the God-man! Why this gradualness in healing? The Lord, it seems, sometimes hid His Divine miracles under the veil of simple, visual actions or coarse substance so that they would not talk too much about Him. 35 ff. About the selflessness of those who want to follow the Lord. Chapter 9, 3. His clothes became shining, very white, like snow, as a bleacher on earth cannot bleach. This is how Saint Mark describes the enlightenment of the Savior’s clothes on Tabor. He likens them to snow and says that there is no paint on earth so white that would equal the whiteness of the Savior’s clothes. This is how the glory of God overflowed from the inside to the outside - from the Divinity of the Savior to the soul, from the soul to the body, and from the body to the clothes. It was a wonderful, uncreated, unimaginable light, which made not only the Savior’s clothes, but also everything around him completely light and white. This light was brighter and purer than the sun. And from the sunlight some objects appear whitish without actually being that way, but from the Divine light of the Lord Jesus everything seemed white. His clothes were not white at all, but they became white as snow. 7. And a cloud appeared overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son; Listen to him. A most peaceful, blessed state! Father of mercies and God of all comfort [2 Cor. 1.3] with the Son of His love and the Holy Spirit was on Tabor with the apostles and filled their hearts with peace and joy. They felt so good there that they could only say: it’s good for us to be here; Let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah [v.5]. 14th century Coming down from the mountain and coming to the other abandoned disciples, He saw many people with them and scribes competing with them. The people, seeing the Lord, whose face so recently shone with heavenly, Divine glory and now still reflected His Divine greatness and glory, hidden under the clothes of flesh, were horrified, and, running up, many kissed His clothes. The Lord asked the scribes what they were arguing about with His disciples. The people heard the voice of a man who said: Teacher! I brought to You my son, who has a dumb spirit... I asked Your disciples to cast him out, but they could not. The Lord, having expressed His righteous anger against man, ordered the demoniac to be brought to Himself; they brought him; when he saw the Lord, the spirit shook him, and he fell to the ground and lay there foaming at the mouth. The Savior mercifully asked the father of the demoniac: how old is it since this happened to him? He answered: since childhood, and asked Him to help him as much as he could. Jesus Christ answered in accordance with the request: if he can believe to some extent, then to him who believes, all things are possible. The father of the demon-possessed youth cried out with tears in his eyes: I believe, Lord! help my unbelief. Noticing that the people were running, the Lord [rebuked] the unclean spirit, saying to him: the spirit is dumb and deaf! I command you: get out of it and do not enter it again. With a scream and writhing, the spirit came out, and the boy became as if dead, so that many said: he died, but the Lord, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. Glory to Your omnipotence, Lord, glory to You. 35 art. And the Savior sat down, called the twelve and said to them: whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. And he took the child, placed him in the midst of them, and, embracing him, said to them: whoever receives one of these children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me. In the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the majority is gained by humility and humble service to one and all. The Lord left us an image, so let us follow His footsteps. And He, being the Son of God, humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant... humbled Himself for our salvation, becoming obedient even to death, even death on the cross [Phil. 2.7–8]. Children, especially poor children, should never be despised. The Lord loved them so tenderly that he even hugged them like a father or mother hugs their children. In addition, those who accept such children accept Jesus Christ Himself. 41. And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you are Christ’s, truly I tell you, will not lose his reward. This is how good it is to give to the servants of Christ, the poor for Christ’s sake! Oh, punishment for seducers! It is terrible and extraordinary, because every believer costs the Lord His most pure Blood, every believing soul is immeasurably dear to Him. 50. Have salt in yourselves, and have peace among yourselves. Salt, that is, constant caution, care, so as not to seduce or spoil others with a seductive word or example. Peace should be an integral part of a Christian. Ch. 10:6. At the beginning of creation, God created them male and female. Difference between the sexes and procreation is God’s work. 13th century Children were brought to the Lord to be touched, but the disciples, probably wishing that not everyone would constantly disturb the Lord, forbade bringing them to Him. The Lord was indignant at this and said to them: leave the children to come to Me and do not scold them, because theirs is the Kingdom of God. Having embraced them, He laid His hands on them and blessed them. Judging by the fact that the Lord embraced the youth mentioned above in the same way as these children, one can think that there too, of course, he is a youth, a child in the proper sense, and not a youth of faith, that is, newly enlightened. Adults are unworthy of such tender treatment from the God-Man, which is only appropriate for children. Only John the Theologian reclined on His chest. The Lord said directly, without hesitation, that the Kingdom of Heaven undoubtedly belongs to children. Indeed, they are the faithful heirs of heaven if they die in childhood. The Lord redeemed them for heaven: their sins are all small, forgivable, moreover, [in a few] adults they are cleansed by repentance; Meanwhile, adults can still sin a lot, and sometimes be unrepentant. 17 and 18. Good Teacher! What must I do to inherit eternal life? The arrogant, self-important rich man approached the Lord with the thought of his virtues (with secret praise to himself that he is good), therefore the Lord, who knows our thoughts and hearts, did not deign to accept from the rich man the name good, referring him to the One God. It was as if He were saying to him: you came to Me with the opinion of yourself as a virtuous, good person, and not quite humbly and sincerely calling Me a good teacher; but I tell you that it is not fair to think of yourself this way; Not only to you, but even to Myself I do not attribute the title of good, although My humanity is united with the Divine. Only God alone is good. However, for his fulfillment of the commandments, the Lord expressed His love for him. Jesus looked at him and loved him. 26[-27]. They (the disciples) were extremely amazed and said to each other: who can be saved? Jesus, looking at them, says: This is impossible with men, but not with God, for all things are possible with God. God can save those who, according to human understanding, cannot be saved. God is omnipotent and wise: He knows how to save and can save if we want. Save us too, O Lord, in the image of our destinies. You care about our salvation and, surely, you will grant it if we are not completely careless in the matter of our salvation. Chapter 11. The Lord solemnly enters Jerusalem on a donkey, enters the church and, having examined everything, sets off, due to the lateness of the time, with his disciples to Bethany. In the morning, leaving Bethany, the Savior felt hungry and, seeing a fig tree with leaves from afar, approached it, thinking to find something on it, but, except for leaves, found nothing on it, because the time for figs had not yet come. The Lord cursed her, and she soon withered completely. On this occasion, the Lord offered the disciples a teaching about the power of living faith. Chapter 12, 32. One scribe approves of the Lord because He said the truth, that one is God and there is no other besides Him; and to love Him with all your heart and with all your mind, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is greater than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus, seeing that he (the scribe) answered intelligently, said to him: You are not far from the Kingdom of God. Does one sincere conviction in the truth of God’s word really give one the right to the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes, apparently so, especially since this conviction can only be in a soul sincerely devoted to piety. Chapter 13, Art. 11 Do not worry in advance what to say, and do not think about it; but whatever is given to you in that hour, then speak, for it is not you who will speak, but the Holy Spirit. Even if I have enough knowledge, I won’t worry too much about what I should say to my parishioners. God will give me what to say. 34 [ff]. Like someone (the Lord), going on a journey (ascending to heaven) and leaving his home (earth), he gave authority to his servants (us) and to each one his work, and ordered the gatekeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the owner of the house will come... lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping. But what I say to you, I say to everyone: stay awake. Chapter 14, 27 art. I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. How sadly this prediction came true. The good shepherd was struck down for our iniquities, and His sheep, His apostles, fled, as did His other followers. 33 ff. And he took with him Peter, James and John; and began to be horrified and sad. And he said to them: My soul is sorrowful unto death; stay here and watch. And, going a little way, he fell to the ground and prayed that, if possible, this hour would pass from Him; and said: Abba Father! everything is possible for You; carry this cup past Me; but not what I want, but what You want. He returns and finds them sleeping, and tells Peter (who boasted that he would never leave the Lord, and yet could not resist falling asleep when the Lord asked him to watch); Simon! are you sleeping (a gentle reproach for infidelity)? couldn't you stay awake for one hour? Watch and pray, so that you do not fall into temptation: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. And, going away again, he prayed, saying the same word. And when he returned, he again found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy, and they did not know what to answer Him. And he comes the third time and says to them: Are you still sleeping and resting? It is over, the hour has come: behold, the Son of Man is given over into the hands of sinners. Get up, let's go; Behold, he who betrayed Me has drawn near. There was something to be afraid of the Lord: He foresaw everything that would happen to Him, He knew what a bitter cup of suffering He needed to drink. Looking at the awake apostles, He wanted to calm down somewhat in spirit, but they were all asleep; in the most decisive hours for Him, His friends slept due to the weakness of nature and, one might say, of the soul. Here is your image, man, in the apostles: even now you do not want to often sacrifice a single hour for the Lord in order to watch, and indulge in carefree sleep, not suspecting that through your carelessness you can fall into misfortune, whereas being awake would protect you from it. Marvelous! Man is the same weak man everywhere, even before the face of God the Savior, and even in His dying hours, when it would seem possible to muster all the strength to remain vigilant. Look, man, how the Lord prays, grieves and grieves - this is for you: grieve Him, pray with Him, too. Take your thoughts more often to this place where your Savior prayed before suffering. Mentally kiss the ashes of this place. So they took Jesus; everyone ran away; one young man followed Him, dressed over his naked body in a cloth; They also took this young man, who, however, leaving the cloth in the hands of the enemies, ran away from them. There was a lot of evidence against Jesus, but since they were all false, they all disagreed among themselves: the evidence was not equal [v.56], they could not even equally show what the Lord said about the ruin of the church: And neither was their testimony equal [v.59]. Peter rejects Jesus three times: how dangerous it is to boast of one’s devotion to the Lord given the weakness of our nature! Christians! Watch and learn. Don't be arrogant about yourself. Without God's power, every person is nothing more than a reed shaken by the wind, capable of moving in all directions. If thoughts of despair sometimes come to you, read this story, remember what happened to the apostles themselves, and calm down, asking yourself for God’s help. Chapter 15, 24. Those who crucified Him divided His garments, casting lots as to who should take what. They tore the body of the Life-Giver, nailing Him to the cross, and divided His clothes - how could they not have torn that too! Finally, here you are hanging on the cross, most merciful Savior, enduring terrible torment! Just recently you were grieving and grieving, foreseeing Your torment on the cross: now You are enduring them, most loving Shepherd! We often, in truth, suffer some misfortune that is much less than Yours, and we grumble, while You have not done any evil, and we endure unimaginable torment. Teach me to bear my misfortunes with cheerfulness and humility, according to our deeds we accepted [Russian: according to our deeds we accepted] and remember me, Lord, when you come into Your Kingdom [Lk. 23,41–42]. Christian! The prudent thief is the image of you, a sinful man: pray more often in his words - and you will also be pardoned if you do not deliberately remain stuck in sin. Chapter 1, art. 18 [ff]. How do I know this? (Zachary asks the Archangel of the Lord, whose word he did not believe: this is human common weakness!) For I am old, and my wife is advanced in years. The angel answered him: I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and was sent to speak with you and bring this good news to you; and behold, you will remain silent and will not be able to speak (a punishment worthy of us for impudent unbelief) until the day this comes true, because you did not believe my words, which will come true in due time. O unhappy, sinful, deceitful earth! How many lies you have! A person, surrounded, so to speak, from everywhere by lies, dares to think that lies can take place in heaven, and does not believe the Archangel himself, who stands before the throne of the King of Truth! But, Archangel of God, forgive us our unbelief: you know how little truth we have on earth. We are accustomed to hearing lies here, and therefore we have the weakness to think that heavenly messengers can sometimes speak lies, although with a good purpose. Chapter 2.9. Suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared to them (between the shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were afraid with great fear. Angels are called the second lights of God. And indeed, when they appear, they are almost always luminous and shining, so that they illuminate others with their light. After the resurrection of the Lord, an angel appears to the myrrh-bearing women in shining robes [Lk. 24.4]. This is a reflection of their spiritual light. O most peaceful, blessed Angels of God! Pray to God for us, that we may flee from the sins that darken our souls with the darkness of hell, and may we kiss the virtue that enlightens us with spiritual light. 13. And suddenly a large army of heaven appeared with the Angel, glorifying God and crying: glory to God in the highest... Soon they departed to heaven. How the Angels now rejoiced at the salvation of people, rejoicing over one sinner who repented! [ OK. 15.7]. Their voice was a voice of praise to God and joy about the salvation of the world. 33. Joseph and His mother marveled at what was said about Him (Jesus) from Simeon. Why were you surprised? Probably, they could not for a long time unravel the mystery taking place in their eyes: to understand their Divine Infant in the whole world. Otherwise why would Simeon’s words seem so new and wonderful to them! 41 ff. Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover holiday. And when He was twelve years old, they also came, according to custom, to Jerusalem for the feast. When, at the end of the days of the holiday (seven days), they returned (home to Nazareth), the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; And Joseph and His Mother did not notice this, but thought that He was going with others. Having walked a day's journey, they began to look for Him among relatives and acquaintances and, not finding Him, returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. After three days they found Him in the church, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and answers. And when they saw Him, they were surprised; and His Mother said to Him: Child! what have you done to us? Behold, Your father and I have been looking for You with great sorrow. He said to them: Why did you seek Me? or did you not know that I must be concerned with the things that belong to My Father? But they did not understand the words He spoke. And He went with them and came to Nazareth; and was in obedience to them. And His Mother kept all these words in Her heart. What a wonderful phenomenon! A boy at twelve years old, beyond his years, reveals His superhuman wisdom and ardent zeal for the glory of God, Whom He calls His Father. He fell behind his parents when they returned home. How did this happen? Probably, the Youth had lagged behind before, just as children lag behind their parents due to their inherent curiosity to see and hear everything that is before their eyes: everything occupies them. But before, He did not lag behind them for a long time: He walked around, looked, and came. And now He fell behind, and for a long time: the great work of redeeming people was already occupying His soul; Divine wisdom was already beginning to reveal itself with power in the God-man; He already remembered His duty: I must be in that which belongs to My Father. But Father and Mother did not understand Him. But they did not understand the words He spoke: they were simple people, and He was the God-man. Chapter 3, 8. God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. What a living and firm faith in the omnipotence of God. Here faith is higher even than that of Moses. Moses spoke with doubt: should we bring water for you from this rock? [Num. 20.10 ]; But this one says firmly: God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones, which is even more wonderful than water flowing from a stone. 9. The ax lies at the root of the trees: every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. How fair it is that a person who does not bear the fruits of virtue should suffer due punishment! 11. He answered and said to them (John the nations), “Whoever has two coats, give to the poor, and whoever has food, do the same.” As a genius of virtue, John answers strictly, firmly and abruptly, in two or three words. How high is the virtue of almsgiving when a strict preacher of repentance demands it as a condition for fruitful repentance. 22 art. And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and there was a voice from heaven, saying: You are My Beloved Son; My favor is in You! How more obvious is the Divinity of our Savior, when both the Holy Spirit and God the Father testify about Him! Ch. 4, art. 16 [ff]. He entered the synagogue, as was His custom, on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read... The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; for He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, and He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted (heal our broken hearts too), to preach liberation to the captives [glory: captives (from the devil into slavery and death)] liberation to the blind (both spiritually and physically), to set free those who are tormented, to preach the favorable year of the Lord (when human souls will bloom again after a long spiritual death in Vertograd Lord's). And, closing the book and giving it to the servant, he sat down. This is how the Lord’s sermon in Nazareth began: with proof of His identity that He is the promised Messiah—not personal proof, but prophetic, which is much more important in the matter of testimony: If I testify about Myself, then My testimony is not true [Jn. 5.31] – said the Savior Himself. The Lord concluded the reading from the prophet with the words: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Everyone confirmed this in the congregation 5 and marveled at the sweet current of grace-filled words coming out of the mouth of Jesus Christ, wondering how the son of Joseph, apparently an ordinary person, could speak like this and with such authority. Further, the Lord says that you would like to see a miracle from Me, but why is this when they do not respect Me in My native city, they do not believe My Divine messenger, My Divinity? Likewise, Elijah the prophet did not perform miracles in his homeland, although there was a need for them for his compatriots, and outside it - in Zarephath and Syria. These words of the Savior caused insult to the faces of those in the host. They drove Him out of the city and took Him to the top of the mountain where their city was, in order to overthrow Him from there: but He, passing through the midst of them, went where He needed to go. 32. The Lord teaches on Saturday in Capernaum; here His teaching brings fear to all, because His word was accompanied by Divine authority; the people sensed God in Him: the sheep heard in His word the voice of the great Shepherd. Here He heals the demoniac. The demon, leaving the man in the middle, came out of him without harming him in the least. All the people were justly horrified and said to each other in bewilderment: what kind of wondrous word is this, that He commands with authority and power the unclean spirits, and they come out? Glory to Your omnipotence, Most Gracious Lord, our Creator. Chapter 5. At one time the Savior stood on the shore of Lake Gennesaret; the people crowded around the Lord, so that it was difficult to teach him. On the lake He noticed two boats, whose owners, fishermen, having moved a short distance from them, were washing their nets. Having entered one of these boats, which belonged to Peter, the Savior asked him to cast off a little from the shore, then he sat down and began to teach the people from the boat. Having ceased speaking, he said to Simon: Go into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. Simon Peter answered Him: Mentor! After working all night, we caught nothing. But at Your command I will let down the net. As soon as they cast, they caught an extraordinary number of fish, so that even the net was torn. They invited the participants who were in the other boat to help, who came and, with mutual assistance, filled both boats with fish until they began to sink from the weight. Simon Peter, seeing this multitude of fish in the boats, fell at the knees of the Lord, saying: get out of me, because I am a sinful man, Lord! How strikingly Peter imagined the omnipotence of the Lord together with His (goodness) holiness, His Divinity with the insignificance of Peter as a man. The Apostle Peter and everyone who was with him were horrified by such a miraculous catch of fish. The Lord reassured Peter with the words: do not be afraid, from now on you will catch people. Having pulled both boats to land, they left everything (James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were there) and followed Him. If an ordinary person called them, how would they leave their cheerful and honest business, especially if this person did not promise them anything ahead! Who doesn’t know how hard it is for a fisherman to part with his boat and his nets, which feed him and his family, or even just him, if he is alone. But the Savior called - and they left everything; I see the Divinity of my Savior everywhere. How omnipotent and effective is His word! 12 tbsp. and further. One leper, seeing the Lord, falls to the ground before Him, praying to Him and saying: Lord, if You want, You can cleanse me. Stretching out his hand, the Savior touched him and said: I want you to be clean. And immediately the leprosy left him. O my Creator! How many are Your miracles! The scribes forbade the Jewish children from calling You the Messiah. But if they had kept silent about Your glory, then, probably, the stones would have begun to cry out about You, about Your Divinity. 16th century The Lord often retired to the desert on pilgrimage. And you retire to your inner church and pray to God more often. 17. The power of the Lord was revealed in healing the sick. One day the Lord taught, the people listened to Him; the Pharisees and teachers of the law from all the villages of Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem were sitting right there. The Lord probably did not deliberately heal anyone yet, but unknown, so to speak, to Himself, His power healed all the sick who were here. Chapter 6, 12. Before the election of His disciples and their embassy to preach, the Lord prayed the whole night. So we should pray before starting any important task. 19th century All the people sought to touch Him, because power emanated from Him and healed everyone. I too will, albeit mentally, touch You, Life-Giver, by faith, and I will receive benefit from this. The fullness of Your Divine power is infinitely great. 20 [ff]. He (the Lord), lifting up His eyes on His disciples, said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are those who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they excommunicate you and revile you and call your name dishonorable because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Speaking these beatitudes, the Lord sees the future, infinitely great joys of His followers all over the world, and therefore His speech is unusually strong and impressionable, future blessings seem as if they were present. 24 ff. On the contrary, woe to you, rich people! for you have already received your consolation. Woe to you who are now satiated! for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! for you will mourn and lament. Woe to you when all people speak well of you! For this is what their fathers did to the false prophets. But to you who are listening, I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. What grace comes from the mouth of our Lord! The view of people and their lives is so bright, their wisdom is so high, their moral rules are so sublime that it is difficult not to recognize God the Word in the Lord Savior. 31. And as you want people to do to you, do so to them. And if you love those who love you, what gratitude do you have for that?.. And if you do good to those who do good to you... And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back... But you love your enemies, and do good, and lend, not expecting anything; and you will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Your knowledge is wonderful to me,” I will exclaim with the prophet, “high, I cannot comprehend it!” [Ps. 138.6]. There is no end to Your wisdom. Glory to Thee, Lord, our Savior! 44. They do not gather figs from thorn trees, nor gather grapes from bushes. Do not expect good from someone who is bad by nature, nor do you expect evil from someone who is good by nature. 45. A good man brings forth good things from the good treasure of his heart, and an evil man brings forth evil things from the evil treasure of his heart, for out of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaks. How fair that is! 47 ff. He who hears and does the word of God is likened to a man building a church on a rock, and he who does not do it is likened to a man who builds a church on sand. The Lord's comparisons are amazingly good. Chapter 7. The Lord praises the centurion’s faith, saying to the people following Him: I tell you that even in Israel I have not found such faith. What was his faith? In the next one. The Roman centurion was very friendly towards the Jews, to the point that he even built a host for them. He sent these Jews, or, more precisely, the elders of the Jews, who had been blessed by him, as the Gospel says, to the Savior - to ask Him to come to him and heal his servant. The Lord went with them and was already not far from the centurion’s dwelling, when his friends came from him (?????), saying on his behalf: Do not worry, Lord; I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. That is why I considered myself unworthy to even come to You; but you just say the word, and my servant will recover, because I, too, being in charge and having soldiers under my command, say to one: go, and he goes, and to another, come, and he will come (to himself, whereas go means an embassy from oneself away), and to my servant: do this, and he will do it. The Lord was not without reason surprised at such faith: this faith was the most intelligent and at the same time the simplest; such faith is certainly difficult to find even in Israel. Apparently, in the simplest words, which at first glance do not represent anything special, the centurion expresses the most living faith in the Divine omnipotence and sovereignty of the Lord. And I, he says, Lord, am also a person of authority, but this authority is an insignificant resemblance to Your universal authority. And if I, an insignificant leader, command this or that to do this or that, and they do it, then how much more will everything that You please be done from Your word? So, just say the word, and my servant will get well. The boy, or servant, was indeed healed. But here again is the greatest miracle: the Lord went to the city of Nain, His disciples and a multitude of people went with Him. When He approached the city gates, at that time they were carrying out a dead man, the only son of a widow with whom many people were walking out of the city. The Lord, seeing her, had mercy on her and said to her: do not cry. Then, approaching the bed, he touched it - and the bearers stopped - and said: young man, I tell you, get up. And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and the Lord gave him to his mother. Such an amazing miracle. The solemnity and greatness of the miracle was increased by the multitude who came with Jesus and walked in the funeral procession from the city, and by the very time at which the Lord raised the dead man. The whole people were spectators of the removal of the dead man; everyone was sure to the most palpable evidence that the young man was really dead and would soon have been lowered into the coffin if not for the happy meeting. And now, among the silent people, expecting a miracle from the Lord, the life-giving voice of the Life-Giver is heard: young man, I tell you, stand up. The young man, previously motionless, cold and pale, suddenly gains movement, warmth and liveliness - he sits down, and not only sits down, but also begins to speak. The soul, like fire, warmed and revived the body, which was restored to strength and freshness. All the spectators were struck with fear and praised God, saying: a great prophet has appeared among us; God visited His people after a long absence. Prophets have not appeared on earth for a long time. 20 tbsp. John's disciples say to Jesus: Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Instead of words, the Lord, in response to them, at the same hour heals many from illnesses and wounds and those possessed by evil spirits and restores sight to many blind people, and then orders John to tell them what they see and hear. Oh, Divine Wonderworker! Every step is a miracle. But, inexhaustible Source of miracles, Benefactor of mankind, for what, for what good do You do good to people who will soon, having scolded You, will finally lift You to the cross? 25. What did you go to see? a person dressed in soft clothes? But those who dress magnificently and live luxuriously are in the courts of kings. Sometimes you can also point to us: those who dress magnificently and live luxuriously; however, this can only be applied to some priests without family, who remove a lot of soft waves from their sheep. 32. Incomparably, the Lord likens the Pharisees and scribes to youths sitting in the marketplace, inviting each other and saying: We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; wept, and you did not cry. And it was for them that everything was out of place, everything was wrong. Neither the strict faster John, nor the former Lord Savior of all, earned respect from them. One wept, the other played the flute for them, and they did not cry, did not dance, that is, they did not sympathize with either the sad tone of John or the joyful and solemn tone of the Lord. 36–50 st. The Lord spoke and explained the most beautiful parable, as always, on the occasion of a sinner pouring ointment on His feet and wiping this ointment with her hair. It was in the house of Simon the Pharisee. Simon, says the Lord, I have something to tell you, - and he answered: tell me, Teacher. The Lord began to say: one lender (by lender mean the Savior) had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Since both did not have anything to pay their debts, he forgave both of them (that is, us, unrequited sinners, unpaid debtors). So, which of them, tell me, will love him more? Simon answered: I think that he is the one who has been forgiven more. The Lord said: He judged justly. Then, turning to the woman, he said to Simon: Do you see this woman? So I entered your house - you did not give water to My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair (indeed, the sacrifice of a woman is great because of the sincere heat of love, and the Pharisee was no good in comparison with her. This still exists today). You did not give Me a kiss, but from the very time I entered, she did not stop kissing My feet (I see your bliss, happy woman, at the feet of the Savior); You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with ointment. That’s why I tell you: many sins are forgiven her, because she loves Me a lot; and those who are left with little love less. And then he said to the woman: Your sins are forgiven. Most Eminent Jesus! Whose soul will not go out into Your word? What inexpressible sweetness is poured into Your words! Brothers! Love the Lord more and you will be left with more sins. Christians! Keep this parable in mind often. Chapter 8. About the sower, about the lamp. [Art. 18] For whoever has, to him will be given... About the storm; about the possessed; about the resurrection of Jairus' daughter. Chapter 9. About the embassy of disciples to preach; about Herod's bewilderment about the face of Jesus Christ; about miraculous saturation; about Peter's confession; about bearing the cross; about transformation. And when he prayed, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became white and shining. A wonderful transformation. The appearance of the face became different, not earthly, but heavenly, divine; the clothes received extraordinary whiteness and the shine of lightning. About the healing of the demoniac. Predicts suffering. The Samaritans do not accept the Lord: the fervor of the apostles. Words of the Lord: You do not know what kind of spirit you are. This spirit is the spirit of Christ, and now moves in all the rules and customs of Christianity. 60 tbsp. Let the dead bury their dead. And you, man, do not interfere in the affairs of people devoted to the world, let them worry about the dead, being themselves spiritually dead, and you go and preach the Kingdom of God. 62 Art. No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. Once you get down to business, don’t look back - otherwise you’ll probably go astray. Chapter 10, 2 art. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. The Lord saw that many of the people, like ripe ears of corn in a field, were ready for the spiritual harvest, that is, for conversion to Christianity, having been prepared for this in advance. The Lord of the harvest is the Heavenly Father. 5[-7] art. Whatever house you enter, first say: peace to this house; and if the son of peace is there, then your peace will rest on him, but if not, then it will return to you. Stay in that house, eat and drink what they have, for the worker is worthy of reward for his labors; do not move from house to house. Peace is man's greatest treasure on earth. Nothing should be spared in order to acquire it. This peace is a foretaste of heavenly bliss. 20. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. The names of the seventy apostles were already in the books of life before the end of their exploits of earthly life, when there was still very little merit on their part: because they were converted from the Jews, because the Lord foresaw their faithfulness to the Gospel: whom He foreknew, he also predestined [glor.: whom He foreknew, them He also predestined] [Rom. 8.29]. In all likelihood, among us Christians there are many such people whose names are in the books of life. When the disciples rejoiced that at the name of the Lord and demons, at their word, were leaving demon-possessed people, and the Savior pointed out to them the highest reason for joy, He Himself rejoiced in His spirit - just as a father himself rejoices when he sees his children rejoicing - and said to His Heavenly Father: I glorify You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You hid this from the wise and prudent and revealed it to babes. Hey, Father! Such was Your will! Then, turning to them, he said something like this: you are surprised that the spirits obey you in My name, and you rejoice that such power lies in My name. But this is an insignificant, imperceptible portion of what has been handed down to Me from My Father, because everything has been handed over to Me by My Father - both the world of spirits and the visible world, and none even of the Angels knows completely who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and to whom the Son wants to reveal. This is the unity between the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. What divine wisdom and omnipotence the Son has. After this, in private, the Lord said to the disciples: blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see and did not see, and to hear what you hear and did not hear. So, He continued, blessed are you that you see Me, the Only Begotten Son of God by nature. Many prophets and kings wanted to see Me - and did not see, and to hear My teaching, and did not hear. Yes, truly blessed are the eyes of all who have seen in the Lord the promised Messiah, the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of holiness. [Further] about the Merciful Samaritan. Whoever you show mercy to is your neighbor. This means that everyone needs to do good, regardless of whether he is a foreigner, a compatriot, or someone else. 38 ff. About the reception of the Lord by Martha and Mary into their home. Marfa! Marfa! you worry and fuss about many things, but only one thing is needed [glory: there is only one thing that is needed]. The only thing needed is constant active concern for obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven, namely: listening to the word of God, doing good deeds. All other troubles, labors, worries that have as their object the earth and the means to enjoy its benefits are vanity, trifles: they will be buried with us in the grave, just as the very objects that we are bothering about will leave us and be taken away from us; and this - listening to the word of God and doing good deeds - will never be taken away from us: deeds always follow us. Chapter 11, 5 et seq. One of you, having a friend, will come to him at midnight and say to him: friend! lend me three loaves of bread, for my friend came to me from the road, and I have nothing to offer him; and he from the inside will tell him in response: don’t bother me, the doors are already locked, and my children are with me on the bed; I can't get up and give it to you. If, I tell you, he does not get up and give him out of friendship with him, then, out of his persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he asks. And I will tell you: ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. You see how loving the Lord is: He gives us good both in time and in time, if only we ask. 21[-22]. When a strong man guards his house with weapons (the house is the adulterous world, the strong man is Satan), then his property is safe; when his strongest attacks him and defeats him, then he will take all his weapons in which he hoped and divide what was stolen from him. (The Lord, the King of the spiritual and material world, calls Himself the strongest. He defeated the devil, took his weapons and stole all his gain from him.) 23. He who is not with Me is against Me; and whoever does not gather with Me scatters. But the devil obviously was not in partnership with the Lord, and could not be. Chapter 11, Art. 29 This generation is evil, it is looking for a sign. This generation of wicked people exists even today, and they also seek signs from faith, but otherwise they do not submit to it. But no sign will be given to him except the sign of the resurrection of Christ. This sign is enough for everyone. 39 art. Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the platter, but your insides are full of robbery and deceit. Foolish! Didn't the same One who created the external also create the internal? Better give alms from what you have, then everything will be clean for you. How many people there are today whose outer side is clean and smooth, but who on the inside are full of robbery and deceit. Madmen, why do you neglect the inner, most essential side? Isn’t this last one and the same Creator with the first? But give alms from your wealth, and everything will be clean for you. 44. There are people who are like hidden coffins, over whom people walk and do not know it. 46. ​​There are also people who impose unbearable burdens on others, but they themselves do not even touch them with one finger. Chapter 12, 15. Beware of covetousness, for a person’s life does not depend on the abundance of his possessions. Our life does not consist in wealth: it is not the one who is rich who lives, but the one who uses little with gratitude to God. 16–21. About a crazy rich man who had a good harvest in the field. God's words to him: crazy! this night your soul will be taken from you; who will get what you have prepared? Rich, covetous people, as well as those subject to other passions, are blind in their minds, while, on the contrary, pious people have a bright, far-sighted view of everything. In fact, the rich man collects treasures, not at all thinking that he might have to die soon; it is as if he considers himself the master of his life, extending it over many years: soul! you have a lot of good things lying around for many years. He forgets God, the Author of his life and his possessions. Insane! How dare you manage your life? This night your soul will be taken from you; who will get what you have prepared? This is what happens to those who store up treasures for themselves and do not become rich in God. Mortals! For the good of your soul, grow rich in God, and not in yourself, because this yourself, or I, is a very insignificant thing: it, like a spider, can now be removed from its nest so that it no longer weaves for itself a web of lovely, perishing, collapsing goods. Hear, brethren, what our Savior says to us: do not worry about your soul, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will wear: the soul is more than food, and the body than clothing. Look at the ravens: they neither sow nor reap; They have neither storehouses nor granaries (like the rich), and God feeds them; How much better are you than the birds? And which of you, by caring, can add even one cubit to his height? So, if you can’t do even the slightest thing, why are you worrying about the rest? Look at the lilies, how they grow: they do not toil, they do not spin; but I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory did not dress like any of them. If God clothes the grass in the field, which exists today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, then how much more than you, O you of little faith... your Father knows that you need this; Seek above all else the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. O most perfect wisdom! My Wise Creator! Teach me to be so wise. Give me this living confidence that the Heavenly Father is constantly and actively caring for me. 32 art. Fear not, little flock! for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. How about a kingdom for fishermen? Yes, the Kingdom, moreover, not here, temporary, transitory, but Heavenly, eternal. The Heavenly Father deigned to give the Kingdom to the apostles before they finished their earthly career or, better, before the end of the world, foreknowledge that they would make good use of the grace of God given to man for salvation. Sell ​​your property and give alms. Prepare for yourselves sheaths that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. I often came across this passage when I took the Holy Gospel in order to receive edification from it for myself. The grace of God inspired me several times that giving alms is necessary, and taking care of undecaying vaginas is the duty of every Christian. 39 art. You know that if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have been awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. How many remain oblivious to this important truth and therefore do not bother to secure their churches, that is, the churches of their body, with the necessary means. 45 and 46 art. If that slave says in his heart, “My master will not come soon,” and begins to beat his servants and maidservants, and eat and drink and get drunk, then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not think, and will cut him up, and subject him to the same fate as the infidels. The servant is the one who knew the will of his Master... Who did not know... We are all slaves; Our Lord, the eternal Lord of the whole world, who was not long on earth, ascended to heaven and will one day come again to demand an account of what each of us has done here; and the servants of the earth, that is, all people, have been given work by the Heavenly Master: everyone knows with what they must appear before their Master. Let us always remember that we, slaves, have a Heavenly Master, who will demand from us an account of our affairs, and let us not forget here: to beat those subordinate to us, to eat, drink and get drunk, that is, to stake our lives on this alone. For the most part, we all live in such a way that we do not think about the Lord. 48 Art. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required, and to whom much has been entrusted, from him more will be required. Remember this: a lot will be exacted from you. There are a lot of souls devoted to you that you must try to save. 58 art. When you go with your rival to the authorities (the rival is the devil, the boss is the Lord), then on the road (the earth, which is the way to heaven), try to free yourself from him, so that he does not lead you to the judge, and the judge does not hand you over to the torturer, and the torturer does not throw you into prison. I tell you: you won’t leave there until you give back your last half. Chapter 13. About the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mixed with their victims, and about the Jerusalemites, on whom the tower of Siloam fell; They were not more sinful than all people, but God, with wisdom and good purpose, punished them in such a way as to ease the torment of eternity for them, or to protect them from great evils in life. 6 tbsp. Someone (the Heavenly Vinedresser in earthly grapes) had a fig tree planted in his vineyard (every person, especially a Christian), and came to look for fruit on it (every Christian has the ability and is obliged to bear annually greater and greater fruits of virtue), and did not find it; and he said to the vinedresser (the likeness is maintained); Behold, I have come for the third year to look for fruit on this fig tree and find none; cut it down: why does it occupy the land? But he answered him: Master! leave it this year too, until I dig it up and cover it with manure, and see if it bears fruit; if not, then next year you will cut it down. Christians! Listen often to this sentence of the Savior about the cutting of the barren fig tree. Say to each one of you: Am I not a barren fig tree? If it is barren and does not think to bear fruit, be afraid: the ax lies at the root of the trees: every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire [Lk. 3.9]. Oh, soon the ax may swing and throw us dead! 11–16 art. About the healing of an ailing woman (???????????? 6, who could not straighten up and walked constantly in an inclined position. The Lord said: you are freed from your illness. And he laid his hands on her, and she immediately straightened up and began to glorify God. Glory to You - and we echo You, the Giver of Life, our Savior! 24 Art. and further. Strive to enter through the strait gate, for I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able to. When the owner of the house gets up and closes the doors, then you, standing outside, will begin to knock on the doors and say: Lord! Lord! open to us; but He will answer you: I don’t know you, where you come from. Thank God that there is a path to the Kingdom of Heaven, although it is narrow; There will be a time when this will not happen either. The Lord of heaven and earth will stand up and close the doors, and then even if someone wanted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he would not be able to. While the doors are not yet locked, try to get through. The narrow path is the path of truth, and the wide path is false. 29. And they will come from the east and the west, and the north and the south, and will lie down in the kingdom of God. The Lord knows and sees all these reclining, although they have not yet ascended into the Kingdom of God. God! Grant us, according to Your great mercy, to lie down in Your Kingdom, into which His sons will be gathered from all parts of the world. And behold, there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last. There are different ranks. Chapter 14. When you are invited by someone to a marriage, do not sit in the first place, lest one of those invited by him be more honorable than you... But when you are invited, when you come, sit in the last place... For everyone who exalts himself will be humiliated, and he who humiliates himself will be exalted. You are called from birth to Christianity; Look, don’t dare consider yourself superior and don’t sit above any of the Christians, but consider yourself the last of all. The Lord God, who called you by His mercy, knows what place you are worthy of. 12 tbsp. and further. When you make lunch or dinner, do not invite your friends, nor your brothers, nor your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they invite you and you receive reward. But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed that they cannot repay you, for you will be rewarded at the resurrection of the righteous. How! said a man devoted to the world: should I invite the poor, the lame, the blind to a feast and treat them without the hope of receiving reward from those invited? This is boring and not at all common. Yes, the light is based on reciprocity; and the time passes more cheerfully when those invited by me to the feast invite me afterwards; and the union of friendship becomes stronger from this. In addition, living in the world, one must live in a secular way. But, brethren, the Savior does not break your union with your family, friends and acquaintances. Accept them and go to them yourself. But why waste your bread and salt for them in such abundance and with such luxury, which, probably, they themselves do not require from you and which, meanwhile, is the share of the Lord’s lesser brothers, the poor, of whom so many have multiplied from your luxury and hardness of heart. Do you know, brothers, what you prove with these luxurious feasts that you so often give to your relatives, friends and acquaintances? The fact that you know only the earth with its customs, only earthly ties, which, as you yourself know, should very soon be cut off, and very little or even do not think about heaven, about kinship, about spiritual, eternal, indissoluble ties - that is, you are Christians only in name, but not in reality. Where did you get the idea that for your bread and salt, for your warm hospitality, you must certainly receive reward here on earth? This means that you do not think at all about heavenly rewards, do not believe in them, or believe very weakly. You think about your estate incorrectly: who told you that it is your inalienable property, to which only your relatives, friends and acquaintances have the right? Who inspired you that for your desserts and glasses of drinks you should receive the same from your invitees? How come you yourself are not ashamed to almost constantly eat fat and drink sweet? [Neh. 8,10]. Are you preparing yourself, as fat calves are prepared, for the day of slaughter?.. No, brethren, our earthly gifts are from God, not only for us, but also for our brothers. You caress your body too much, which, like a noble mass of earth, does not require as much care for itself as you think; to maintain him in health and good looks, very, very little is needed for him: then only it will be noble, healthy. Brethren! You must also keep in mind the reward in the resurrection of the righteous. If you don’t see this need now, you will see it later. 16th century and further. One man made a large supper and invited many, and when the time for supper came, he sent his servant to say to those invited: go, for everything is ready. And everyone began, as if by agreement, to apologize... And, returning, that servant reported this to his master. Then, angry, the owner of the house (Our Lord, Ruler of the Universe) said to his servant: go quickly through the streets and alleys of the city and bring here the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Made; There's still room left. They were also ordered to go out on the paths and Khalugi 7 and convince them to enter - so that the house would be filled. Conclusion: I tell you that none of those who are called will taste my supper, for many are called, but few are chosen. So, many were invited to the supper, but there were few worthy to partake of this supper because of their attachment to the earth; and they - a terrible misfortune - will not taste the heavenly supper, will not recline in the Kingdom of Heaven, will not inherit blissful eternity. Instead of them, at the evening there will be people despised by the concept of the world. Apply this to yourself: everyone is still invited by the Lord to His supper - don’t they still refuse on various petty pretexts? They refuse: and now the people are the same as before. Divine our Savior! How well You foresaw this! Like marks are Your parables! What heavenly wisdom is given in them! 25–35 art. Whoever wants to follow the Savior must first sit down and thoroughly calculate whether he has a sufficient amount of strength in himself to complete this not entirely easy path: whether he will not be disturbed by attachments to earthly goods: to money, to food, to honor, to peace of mind, to secular pleasures, to relatives, concern for their well-being - that is, he must remove obstacles to following the Lord, must first coldly consider whether he is strong with his own forces that may be weak and can betray him, meet the pressure of a force superior to his strength, and stock up on greater strength; he must think whether salt is overpowering him - this spiritual energy prevents relaxation and imparts strength to his intentions and deeds. Salt is a good thing; but if the salt loses its strength, how can it be corrected? not suitable for soil or manure; they throw it away (scarily). He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Glory to Thee, Lord, our Enlightener! Chapter 15, 8 art. and further. What woman, having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a candle and sweep the room and search carefully until she finds it, and when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors and says: rejoice with me: I have found the lost drachma. So, I tell you, there is joy among the Angels of God over one sinner who repents. By wife we ​​mean the Lord; under the drachma is the human race; under the lamp is the teaching of the Savior; under the church there is earth, a church not made by hands. This drachma is very dear to the Lord: nine drachmas constitute the Council of Angels, therefore He diligently seeks it. The Lord is represented as a wife who has lost a drachma, a small coin, because a woman values ​​money more, not having the means to get it easily. 11–32 art. About the prodigal son. Oh, the inexhaustible abyss of God’s mercy towards us sinners! Rejoice, earthly beings, that your Father who is in heaven is so merciful. You can hope that if you care about your salvation, you will certainly receive it; really hope that the Heavenly Father cares about your salvation and will grant you, in his goodness, the promised bliss. Look: the prodigal son comes to his senses and says: I will go to my father. And what about the father? When the prodigal son was still far from him because of his uncleanness, because of his iniquities, his father saw him and took pity on him; and, running, fell on his neck and kissed him. What tender, truly parental love! And this is the absolute truth, because the Only Begotten Son of God, the Son of the Father’s love, assures us of this. Chapter 16, 8[-9] art. The sons of this age are more perceptive than the sons of light in their generation. And I say to you: make friends for yourself with unrighteous wealth, so that when you become poor, they will receive you into eternal abodes. People are wise in arranging their earthly well-being, but in arranging their eternal destiny, eternal salvation, they are stupid and stupid. Sons of the Kingdom of Heaven! Learn from the sons of this age what they surpass you in: resourcefulness and art in arranging your well-being, not just temporary, but eternal. 13th century No servant can serve two masters. The human soul is inseparable: if it is attached entirely to one being, then it cannot be attached to another being at the same time and to the same extent. 15th century You show yourself to be righteous before men, but God knows your hearts, for whatever is exalted among men is an abomination to God. Human! You always condemn yourself, placing yourself before the all-seeing God, because you are certainly a great sinner, despite all the apparently good dispositions of your soul. Look, don’t you ever dare to dream: God sees your heart. Every conceit, every proud thought is an abomination before God. Art. 31 Then Abraham said to him: if they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, then even if someone were to rise from the dead (and the rich man asked to send the deceased Lazarus to his father’s house so that he could assure them that the law must be fulfilled by man, that there is eternal torment for sinners), they would not believe it. And now very many, although they do not express it in words, but in thoughts and deeds reveal the thought: let one of the resurrected dead assure us that eternal torment is prepared for transgressors of the law. And then: since the fathers began to die, from the beginning of creation, everything has remained the same [2 Pet. 3.4 ]; no one with their own experience convinced us of the reality of torment. To such it should be said: you have not only Moses and the prophets, but also the apostles, and the evangelists, and the Son of God Himself: listen to them - and you will not come to the place of torment, in the reality of which they convince you. If you don’t believe them, then even if someone were to rise from the dead, you won’t believe it. Chapter 17, 6 art. If you had faith the size of a mustard seed and said to this fig tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” then it would listen to you. This is what a person should truly be like: according to his word, everything should be done, as if according to the word of a creature gifted in the image and likeness of Almighty God. But sin turned man from a ruler into a slave of lower creatures, driving out faith in God from his heart. 7 tbsp. and further. Which of you, having a slave plowing or herding, upon his return from the field, will say to him: go quickly, sit down at the table? On the contrary, will he not say to him: prepare my supper and, having girded yourself, serve me while I eat and drink, and then eat and drink yourself? Will he thank this servant for carrying out the order? Don't think. So you too, when you have fulfilled everything commanded you, say: we are worthless slaves, because we did what we had to do. Yes, Sweetest Jesus! You are the Lord, our Master, and we are Your complete, insignificant servants. We do not do anything worthy of praise, but only what we must certainly, indisputably do for You, Lord and Master of our life! Whether one of us yells, or shepherds, that is, bears this or that public position, he does not have the right to recline at the table with his Master, that is, as a reward for his labors, as if to put himself on an equal footing with Him, and should never leave his natural slave position, but always call himself an indecent slave, doing only what is due. Second Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 6, Art. 16. You are the church of the living God, as God said: I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean; and I will receive you. And I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Yes, the dignity of a Christian is great: he is the Church of the living, omnipresent, omnipotent God. This is his motivation - not to associate with wicked and unfaithful people, especially not to touch their uncleanliness, so as not to defile the house of God. As soon as we try to keep ourselves pure, God accepts us, becomes our Father by grace, and we become His sons and daughters. Chapter 7, [Art. 1]. Therefore, beloved, having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. How can we not cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, when the Lord has given us such promises, namely, to dwell in us and walk with us and be primarily our God, our Father; in addition, to glorify us in eternity. Ch.8, [v.9]. You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich. Who can fully comprehend the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who drained Himself from the Father’s and Divine bosom to death on the cross for the sake of our salvation? God became man in order to make man god. The wealth that flows for us from the poverty of Jesus Christ is that we have all the divine powers, including life and godliness, so that, as said above, we can be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust [2 Pet. 1.4]. Ch.9, [vv.6–7]. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give according to the disposition of his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion; For God loves a cheerful giver. Physical laws and spiritual laws, as originating from one Creator, are for the most part similar to each other. Just as a farmer who sows a few bad seeds will harvest them a little, so the one who does a little good deeds, and not entirely pure, well-willed ones, will not reap abundant fruits from them. On the contrary, the one who did not hesitate to throw good seeds into the ground and in sufficient quantity will receive good and abundant fruits, just like the one who generously and willingly did good deeds. 8 tbsp. God is able to enrich you with all grace, so that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound in every good work [glory: abounding in every good work]. The Lord can easily increase our external blessings related to our external life: the earth is the Lord’s and what fills it [Ps. 23:1], and therefore we must not spare our property to help those in need: therefore, when we have all sufficiency in everything, we must have an abundance for every good deed and thereby offer God a sacrifice from His gifts. 9. As it is written: he lavished, he gave to the poor; his truth endures forever. He who does not spare his property for the poor lives in truth, righteously, because God is his faithful helper. 10[-11]. He who gives seed to the sower and bread for food will give abundance to what you sow and will multiply the fruits of your righteousness, so that you will be rich in everything for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. 12. For the work of this ministry not only fills the poverty of the saints, but also produces in many abundant thanksgiving to God [glorious: but also abundant in many thanksgivings to God]. Everything is from God: both the seeds of our food and everything we have. If we do not forget the poor, He will give us bread for our food, and will multiply our seed, and grow our virtue (the life of righteousness). The virtue of voluntary alms, according to the apostle, not only fulfills the hardships of the saints, but also abounds in many thanks to God. Yes, benefactors know this from experience: the number of people who have benefited, the number of thanksgiving to God, the number of prayers to God for the benefactor. Ch. 10, [Art. 3–6]. While we walk in the flesh, we do not fight according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but powerful in God for the destruction of strongholds: with them we overthrow arguments and every high thing that rises up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ, and are ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Some ill-intentioned people decided to slander the apostle, saying that he walks in the flesh, that is, he acts for the sake of profit, to satisfy the demands of the flesh. The Apostle of Christ, whose deeds were all highly spiritual and holy, was greatly offended by this reproach. While we walk in the flesh, he says, we do not fight according to the flesh, that is, it is true, he says, we walk in the flesh, like all people, but we do not fight for the flesh. Anyone who wants to be convinced of this, look at our weapons. Everyone can see that the weapon of our army is not carnal, material, but (spiritual), with the help of God, powerful for the destruction of every stronghold, capable of overthrowing proud, majestic thoughts and every exaltation that rises to the mind of God, captivating every mind into obedience to Christ and ready to take revenge on every disobedience when you are obedient. How beautifully the apostle refutes the slander leveled at him! Who should not be silent after such words? Are you saying that we act for the sake of profits? But our actions are before the eyes of everyone: everyone can see them and conclude from them the purpose of our deed. What does everyone see when they look at us? He sees that the means with which we strive, the goal for which we strive, are not at all carnal, but spiritual, Divine. Oh, if only we could, with a clear conscience, say the same thing to our flock, who also often denounce us as walking in the flesh [Russian: thinking about us that we walk in the flesh]! But for this we must be prepared and have the life and deeds of the holy Apostle present. We, indeed, in the face of our parishioners, walk more in the flesh: we drink and eat at their meals, allow ourselves all the pleasures of the flesh and, to top it all off, we seem to only care about taking the wind from our sheep, not caring about their well-being, about their eternal salvation. 7 [v.] Do you look at the person (and earlier the apostle said (1 and 2 v.) 9 that he was courageous in absentia against the Corinthians [glor.: daring in them] - boldly and majestically, he writes to them with authority, since, on the contrary, he is humble in their face, because the coming of the body is weak and the word is despised)? - look, that is, as for when I am with you, look: if anyone considers himself to be Christ’s, let him take a good look at himself, because just as he is Christ’s, so we are Christ’s; let him test himself, as if by a touchstone, by the teaching of Christ. As for me, he says, if I boast more about my power, given to me by the Lord for the creation, and not for your ruin, I will do it without the slightest twinge of conscience. I will not do this (that is, I will not say how much I can do with you according to the power given to me by the Lord) so as not to seem that I only want to frighten you with my messages - since the messages, they will say, are heavy and with power, but the coming of the body is weak, and the word is weak, like a sound beating the air. Let him (who thinks so) know that what we are in the words of the message away from you is what we are in reality among you. We do not dare to join ourselves to those who praise themselves: measuring themselves in themselves and applying themselves only to themselves (which is unfair: one must choose a model by which to evaluate oneself, for example, the highest example - the Lord Jesus, then the Mother of God, the apostles and saints), they act as unreasonable. We will not boast without measure, but according to the measure of the rule, the measure of which God Himself, who sent us to preach, divided for us, that we reach with our gospel even to you, because I, for sure, speak the absolute truth, that I have established the gospel among you and do not extend myself, my successes further, I do not boast without measure of other people’s labors, hoping to be satiated by boasting about you, according to my rule, while spreading your faith; Yes, I think I will evangelize in further countries and also not ready to boast according to someone else’s rule. He who boasts of himself, let him boast in the Lord. It is not the one who praises himself who is skilled, but the one who is God. A shepherd of holy life, animated by apostolic zeal for the salvation of the Lord's sheep, can turn this apostolic word with his paraphrase to his flock. Every word of the apostle contains amazing moral power, as truly the word of God: that is why the priest must not only use the words of the Lord, the apostles and evangelists in his sermons, but also be imbued with their spirit. The Apostle says, among other things, that if he had boasted more about his power, given from God to create the Church, he would have done it without any shame, because he would have boasted justly. So we too can boast. We, too, by succession from the apostles, have received great power from the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is not the one who boasts who is skilled, but the one whom God praises. Chapter 11, Article 9. I tried in everything and will try not to be a burden to you. We should observe the same thing in relation to our parishioners, that is, try not to be a burden to them - with our actions or the material side of our lives. Why am I doing this? Is it because I don't love you? God knows (that I love)! But as I act (I try not to be a burden to you), so I will do (and will continue to try) so as not to give a reason (I will remove the pretext for accusation) to those who are looking for a reason (to accuse us), so that in what they boast about, they will turn out to be the same as us [v. 11–12]. 16th century Not almost anyone makes me unreasonable; and if not so, then accept me, although as unreasonable, so that I too can boast in some way. If, because of our zeal for God, strange to some, others take us for fools or madmen, then let them leave their false opinions about us; if they don’t want to, then let them accept us at least as if we were crazy. It doesn’t matter to us how they think about us - the important thing is that they don’t reject us, that they listen to us. And look how much the apostle endured in only half of his evangelistic exploits! This is what he says about himself: in labors, immensely in wounds, especially in prisons and many times at the point of death. Five times the Jews gave me forty stripes minus one; three times I was beaten with sticks, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the depths of the sea; I have been on journeys many times, in dangers on rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from fellow tribesmen, in dangers from pagans, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the desert, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brothers, in labor and exhaustion, often in vigils, in hunger and thirst, often in fasting, in cold and nakedness. In addition to extraneous adventures, I have a daily gathering of people, caring for all the churches. Who is exhausted, with whom would I not be exhausted? Who is tempted, for whom would I not be inflamed? If I must boast, then I will boast in my weakness. Such are the labors and tribulations of the Kingdom for the sake of Heaven. This is the one who lost his soul for the sake of the Lord and the Gospel - but he saved it. This is who in this sensual life saw the invisible: the visible is temporary, but the invisible is eternal [2 Cor. 4.18]. Learn, too, man, to look at this life as a passing dream, and fall in love with the invisible world. Ch. 12. I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago (whether in the body - I don’t know, or outside the body - I don’t know: God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. And I know about such a person (high degree of reliability) (I just don’t know - in the body or outside the body: God knows) that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words that a person cannot retell. The ascension of the Apostle Paul to paradise must have been necessary according to the wise intentions of God, so that this apostle, who had to work harder than anyone else in the gospel, would not weaken in his zeal and would remember all his life for what, for what heavenly bliss, he was striving. Christians! Strive for heaven: there is your bliss, there are inexpressible words, sweet for the soul. 6 tbsp. If I want to boast, I will not be unreasonable, because I will tell the truth; but I restrain myself so that no one thinks about me more than what he sees in me or hears from me. We cannot boast like that: we are sinners and do almost nothing for God. If we, with the help of God’s grace, do any good deed, then we must behave carefully, neither in word nor in deed, not inviting praise, so that someone does not think more about us than how he sees us or hears from us. 10. I rejoice in weaknesses, in insults, in needs, in persecutions, in oppressions for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong. And you must also endure illness, sorrow and other misfortunes with a cheerful face. For example, you are sick. Keep in mind that your body had to be suppressed by illness so that it would not play and be burned by lust. And most importantly, in illness, take comfort in the fact that your soul is growing stronger in relation to your body. 11th century [and further]. I have nothing lacking against the highest Apostles, although I am nothing. The signs of the Apostle appeared before you in all manner of patience, signs, wonders and powers. For what do you lack in comparison to the other churches, except that I myself have not been a burden to you? Forgive me for this guilt. Behold, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not burden you, for I am not looking for yours, but for you. It is not the children who should collect wealth for their parents, but the parents for their children. What tender love! Shepherds of Christ's flock! Here is a template for your ministry! Let love govern all your intentions, your teaching and actions. Ch. 13, [Article 5]. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves. Or do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless you are what you are supposed to be. See further in [Testament] for an example of love for the flock and, at the same time, pastoral severity. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians 1 chapter, 4 tbsp. The Lord gave Himself for our sins in order to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. This idea is found in many places in Scripture, but with different shades. Since the thought is very important and lofty, in every shade it deserves full attention and produces from itself many also important thoughts. Almighty, all-good and righteous God gave Himself for our sins. How lofty is the Sacrifice and therefore how great is it! Who will think that it was brought inappropriately with the number of victims redeemed, that is, that as great as the Sacrifice is, so the number of those saved through this Sacrifice will not be great! No: It was not for nothing that the Almighty exhausted Himself to death on the cross. Just as His bliss makes the darkness of those angels blessed, so His sufferings, redeeming the bliss of man, will be blessed the darkness of those born on earth. And we already see from history that numerous hosts of martyrs who participated in His sufferings are blessed through His sufferings, having received from Him the crown of heavenly glory. For the sake of His merits in all ages there have been, are and will be those who are saved. The Lord gave Himself for our sins in order to deliver us from the present evil age. Yes, this age is evil, because the prince of this age is evil (deliver us from the evil one), wicked people are evil, and finally, our very flesh is evil. From this evil, destructive age, the Lord delivered us with His blood, according to the will of God and His Father. The Heavenly Father did not want the rational creatures of the earth - people whom He, along with other creatures, produced in His thought - to perish for nothing through the malice of the devil, but He was pleased that they, having fallen from life through sin, were directed to it by His Only Begotten Son, who brought into action the creative thought of the Father, through the death of His life-giving body, hypostatically united with the Divine in the unity of the human soul and the Divine. We, thank God, are among those delivered from the present age; let us not cleave to this age, but let us flee it. 8 tbsp. But even if we or an angel from heaven were to preach to you a gospel different from what we preached to you, let him be anathema. With what confidence in the truth of the divine inspiration of his teaching did the apostle pronounce these words! He is not afraid to anathematize even the Angel of the Lord if he said anything contrary to the words of the apostle. Believe, too, O man, in the divine inspiration of the apostolic teaching as firmly as in your own existence. Read the Apostolic Epistles and learn from them for salvation. [Chapter 2], 16th Art. About justification by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by works of the law. 17. If, seeking justification in Christ, we ourselves turned out to be sinners, then is Christ really the servant of sin? No way. We seek justification in Christ, the Most Holy of all saints, but we are sinners; if Christ justifies us sinners, then is He not a minister of sin, does He not condone us? Not at all. Because we try to little by little destroy our former sinful life, and only through this effort do we hope to be justified by the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. But if we return again to our previous life, we again build up what we destroyed, then we become criminals, unworthy of justification in Christ. For if I build again what I have destroyed, I make myself a criminal [v. 18]. The new law of grace requires that we die to the old law of sin that is in our lives. By the law I died to the law in order to live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me [v. 19–20]. I, he says, died by the law of Christ to the law of works of the Old Testament; crucified with Christ, so that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Cleanse your mind, your heart - and then understand, man, how sublime the apostle’s speech is. This is how sin, or the flesh, the world and the devil, need to die, so that we live in this world as if it were not us, but Christ; so that all of our sinful, former man would perish and a new, grace-filled, model of man would live - Christ, that if we live in the flesh, we would live only by the faith of the Son of God. But do we live by faith? No, we do not live: our passions are not life. Our worries and troubles about the world are not life. We live on the earth and for the earth. But the faith is holy, but is our connection with heaven? She's gone. We sow to the flesh, and therefore it is no wonder if we reap corruption. Ch. 3:13. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. There is great meaning in these words. The Only Begotten Son of God took upon Himself the curse that we deserved, and God forbid that we be under the curse of the righteous Heavenly Father: it is hard as hell, this curse. We see this in His beloved Son in those moments when it weighed on Him with all its strength - in His dying sufferings. At this time, the humanity of Jesus Christ was struck by a heavenly curse with all the power of justice. Who can describe these torments of the Savior on the cross? They were so terrible and unbearable that the Lord grieved mortally for them before the cross, and when they, so to speak, reached their zenith, the highest degree, the Redeemer of the world cried out to the Heavenly Father: My God, My God! Why have you forsaken me? [Matt. 27.46]. Due to the hypostatic union with the humanity of Jesus Christ, the Divinity of His sufferings has an infinite price: sinful humanity in the most perfect Man is punished with all the severity of righteous judgment; but since this most perfect Man is also God, then, upon His punishment as a completely sinless Man and the All-Perfect God, not only is justice satisfied for all human unrighteousness, but also the right has been acquired to elevate the human race to the grace-filled title of sons of God and make them partakers of the Divine nature. 15th century up to 8 tbsp. Chapter 4 About the law as a pestun in Christ and about justification by the faith of Christ - against the Jews. 4 chapters, 15 art. How blessed you were! I testify about you that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. What is the secret of such goodwill, such love of the Galatians for the apostle? In his gracious teaching about redemption, about the Kingdom of Heaven: in his own person, in his love, in the fact that he was a messenger of God. 19th century My children, for whom I am again in the throes of birth, until Christ is portrayed in you! Here is an example of a shepherd’s love for his flock! Chapter 5, Art. 13 You, brethren, are called to freedom, as long as your freedom is not a reason to please the flesh. When the matter is in favor of the flesh, then there is no place for Christian freedom. Others do not want to fast during Lent and say: Christian freedom allows one to break the fast if there are some reasons to eat meat. The apostle warns against such thoughts. 16th century and further. Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, for the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh: they oppose each other, so that you do not do what you would like. 19, 21 [v.] The works of the flesh are known... I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do this will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The same apostle said in another place that he who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, and he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life [chapter 6, v. 8]. Hence the necessity of walking in the spirit and not committing carnal lust is obvious. What are the signs of walking in the spirit? The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control [v. 22–23]. 6 chapters, 3 tbsp. For whoever thinks himself to be something when he is nothing deceives himself. Human! This is the apostle's reproof against you. You are a complete nonentity in the matter of salvation; grace accomplishes everything; yours are nothing but sins, and you think of yourself that you are a virtuous person. You are being deceived. 4 tbsp. Let each one test his own work, and then he will have praise only in himself, and not in another, for each will bear his own burden. Instructed by the word, share every good thing with the one who instructs. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap: he who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. So, as long as we have time, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our faith. 14th century I do not want to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. This is the subject of our praise - the Cross, or the boundless love of the Son of God for us. What can we boast about ourselves? Nothing: everything we have is God’s. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians Ch. 1, 4[-9] art. He chose us in Him (Jesus Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, having predestined us to be sons as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He has graced us in the Beloved, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He has abundantly bestowed upon us in all wisdom and understanding, having revealed to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He first purposed in Him. And we were also chosen, before this world came into existence, to be holy and blameless before God in love, having been first adopted as sons of God the Father through Jesus Christ according to His all-good will, regardless of our merits, to the glorious praise of His grace, with which He graced us in His beloved Son, through whom we were delivered from curse and death and received remission of sins according to the riches of His grace. The abundance of this grace flows into us in all wisdom and intelligence: God told us the secret of His will (it had not been revealed before, but this secret is great and, in fact, is not yet completely known to us: only to the apostles it was completely revealed), solely according to His good will, which from the beginning of the world He placed in His Son, who had to offer the Sacrifice for us. So, our salvation is only from grace and for the glory of grace, and not from our works, so that no one can boast, even the greatest righteous person: because all our righteousness is from the same grace of God. We have nothing of our own; God accepts those who come at the eleventh hour in the same way as those who came at the first hour. Our sins are erased by the riches of the grace of the Son of God. 16 and 17[-23]. I thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to the knowledge of Him, and enlighten the eyes of your heart, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of His glorious inheritance are for the saints, and how immeasurable is the greatness of His power in us who believe according to the working of His mighty power [glory: The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give to you... the aim of your heart is enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the abounding majesty of His power in us who believe, according to the working of the power of His strength], which He worked in Christ, raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, above all principality, and authority, and power, and Dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the future, and put all things under His feet, and set Him above all, as the head of the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. How blessed are those Christians who have the enlightened eyes of their hearts and clearly know what the Christian hope is and what glorious riches of His heritage are presented to His saints and - the ripening majesty of His power in us believers, according to the action of His mighty power, made through Christ, whom He raised from the dead and seated at His right hand in heaven above all, and subjected all things under His feet, and made Him Head The Church, which is His Body. What is there to be afraid of with such a Head, who sits at the right hand of God and to whom all things are subject? People! World! We are not afraid of you. Having no respect for the holy faith! We feel sorry for you; We consider it too inhuman to laugh at you: you are already unhappy yourself. Heaven and earth! Celebrate with us! Whoever proclaims the mighty powers of the Lord will all His praises be heard? [Ps. 105.2]. No one - in heaven or on earth. God is with us! Understand, Gentiles, and repent: for God is with us. Is there a need for a higher and brighter celebration of this? Chapter 2, [Art. 4–10]. God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show forth the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation... Thus, God alone, by His mercy, because of His strong love for us, revived us together through Christ and together with Him. Our salvation is a pure gift of God. This kindness is given to us through Jesus Christ. 16. The Lord killed God's enmity towards men on the cross. What a welcome truth for Christians! 22. Through the Lord, Christians are built into the habitation of God by the Spirit. What a dignity of a Christian! Chapter 4 I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you are called, with all humility and meekness and long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace [v. 1–3]. What is most required of our calling is to carry it out with dignity, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, as the fruit of Christian love, and with care to preserve unanimity. Now look at your life: are you trying to fulfill your calling the way the Apostle of Christ wants? Are there humility and meekness in your actions? Are you not pompous, are you not proud? are you patient in enduring the troubles that are inevitable in life; do you have enough love to patiently forgive the mistakes of others; Are you trying to maintain Christian unanimity? You don't seem to have any of this in you. And it’s bad if not: the godly apostle prays, not only asks Christians about this; This means that, according to the apostle, it is absolutely necessary to go through your rank. 10 tbsp. He who descended is also He who ascended above all the heavens to fill everything. So, our Lord fills everything: heaven, earth and the underworld. He first descended to earth, then descended to further countries of the earth, and finally ascended above all heavens to His Father. This is the Founder of our faith. We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven [Heb. 8.1]. What gigantic descents and ascents! How divine this is! Descend from heaven to earth, then to hell, then back to heaven again. What a journey! This is not human, this is Divine. The Lord Himself ascended to where He came from, and in His place left the apostles - evangelists, shepherds and teachers... until we all come into the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, into a perfect man, to the measure of the full stature of Christ, so that we will no longer be babes, tossed to and fro and carried away by every wind of doctrine, according to the wickedness of men [glory: babes tossed and tossed about by every wind teachings, in the lies of men], according to the cunning art of deception [13–14 vv.]. Yes, if it weren’t for the shepherds and teachers, we would certainly have wandered and wandered without a path, to no avail, (at random) in the lies of mankind. And how many of these human lies there are in the world! A lie is called human because there is also a lie from the devil, although they are of the same origin, and also because only on earth - between people - is there a lie, and in heaven they know about it only by rumors, that there is not even a shadow of it there. 17–18 ff. We, Christians, should not [act] as other nations do, out of the vanity of our minds, being darkened in our minds, alienated from the life of God, because of their ignorance [glory: for the ignorance that exists (abides) in them] and the hardness of their hearts. No, this is not the way we came to know Christ: we heard and learned the truth, that we should put off our former way of life, the old man, which is corrupted by the deceitful lusts, but should be renewed in the spirit of our mind and put on the new man, created according to God (like God), in true righteousness and holiness [v. 22–24]. Therefore, putting aside lies, everyone must speak the truth to his neighbor, because we are members of one another; to be angry - and not to sin in anger; Let the sun not set until we are reconciled: we will not please the devil, we will not give him any place in our place. If someone stole before, let him no longer steal, but rather work, doing good with his own hands, so that he can have something to give to the one who demands (this is how necessary alms are, that even from a thief, one who has become a hard worker and obtains the means of living through labor must give to the one who demands!). Let no rotten, idle word come out of our mouths, but only that which is good and can strengthen faith, so that it will benefit those who hear. We must take care with all our might, lest we offend the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we were marked on the day of deliverance. All bitterness, anger, rage, shouting, and blasphemy must be removed from us. On the contrary, we must be kind and merciful to each other, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave us all our sins. This is the requirement of Christianity. We must not live like the Mohammedans or the pagans. No, we must completely put aside this old, sinful man, who is corrupting in deceitful lusts, be renewed in our intelligent spirit and, so to speak, put on the new man, created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of truth. We must take off our old, sinful life and put it aside, like old, worthless clothing, and put on new clothing of good deeds. Chapter 5. We must be imitators of God, as His beloved children, and live in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma to Him. Fornication, as well as all uncleanness and covetousness, should not be known to us by name, as is fitting for saints, because every fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous person has no place in the Kingdom of Christ and God. We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Let us treasure this advantage and walk as children of light and not of darkness. Spiritual fruit consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth. 15–16 [ff]. Therefore, take heed and walk cautiously, not as fools, but as wise, cherishing the time, because the days are evil. So, do not be unreasonable, but know what the will of God is. And do not get drunk with wine... but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord. What high, perfect morality the Apostle demands from Christians! Such perfect rules, instilled in the Apostle by the Holy Spirit, could not even have occurred to any of the ancient sages. 20. Always give thanks for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Submit to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord... 25. Husbands, love your wives. What excellent rules for everyone - both as Christians, and as members of society, and as members of the family! Further in chapter 5. Responsibilities are presupposed - for children in relation to parents, for parents in relation to children; slaves to masters and masters to slaves. Then he gives the general instruction to all - to be able to do so in the Lord and in the power of His strength - to strive courageously against the principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness of this age, in spiritual full armor. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Philippians 1 chapter, 8 tbsp. God is my witness that I love you all with the love of Jesus Christ. What the power of holy, selfless love! Only an apostle of Christ can love as Jesus Christ loved all people. But we, the shepherds of Christ’s flock, must, as far as possible, approach the purity and power of apostolic love in relation to our flock. 18th century But what about that? No matter how they preach Christ, feignedly or sincerely, I rejoice and will rejoice. We should not lay too much claim on those who, out of hypocrisy, preach the faith of Christ or pray hypocritically. For hypocrisy, they themselves will give an answer to God, who tests the hearts and wombs of men: we, on the contrary, should even rejoice that, although it is hypocritical, the truth of Christ, the truth of the holy faith, and Christian piety are preached. It will be a disaster if they don’t preach at all. 20[-26] art. I will not be put to shame in anything, but with all boldness I preach, and now, as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If life in the flesh brings fruit to my work, then I don’t know what to choose. I am attracted by both: I have a desire to be resolved and to be with Christ, because this is incomparably better; but remaining in the flesh is more necessary for you. And I know for sure that I will remain and be with you all for your success and joy in faith, so that your praise in Christ Jesus may increase through me, at my second coming to you. Just live worthy of the gospel of Christ. What a great preacher of the faith of Christ! See with what majestic boldness he preaches Christ Crucified and without being ashamed of anyone, neither the great and powerful, nor the scientists of this age, being firmly confident that whether he lives or dies, the Head of his faith - Christ, will be equally magnified, glorified in his body, whether by life, or by death. If he lives, he lives by Christ and for Christ; and if he dies, then through this he not only will not lose anything, like the sons of this age, who lose much with death, but, on the contrary, he will gain what he has been looking for all his life - the closest union with Christ. The only difference in life and death for the apostle is that, while living in the body, he must work for believers, and when dying, he unites with Christ - which is much better. The Apostle of Christ says that he will still live with the Philippians who were converted by him to the faith for their success and joy in the faith, he only asks them to live worthy of the gospel of Christ. And how the newly converted Philippians must have progressed in their faith during the life of such a zealous apostle with such a loving heart! What was their joy in faith when the apostle was alive, who told them the joyful truths of faith, its most joyful promises. Ch. 2, 3[-4]. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but out of humility, consider each other better than yourselves. Not only does everyone care about themselves, but everyone also cares about others. O Apostle of Christ! Ask God for the grace to treat us this way with each other. Unfortunately, we are all vain and proud: we do not like to elevate others before ourselves, and ourselves before others. Grant us this concern for the common good. 12[-16 st.]. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because God works in you to will and to act according to His good pleasure [glory: God is at work in you, both to will and to do for good pleasure]. Do everything without grumbling and doubting, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish among a crooked and corrupt generation, in which you shine as lights in the world, containing the word of life. Yes, both fear and joy should fill our heart at the thought that God Himself acts in us - what to want and what to do for the sake of salvation. Godly Christians are like luminaries in the world, illuminating the dark spaces of the universe and our earth. They hold the word of life in their souls, like a brightly burning lamp on the path of their life. 29[-30 st.]. Receive him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord with all joy, and have such respect in him, for for the cause of Christ he was close to death, endangering his life, in order to make up for the lack of your services to me [glory: may your deprivation of service to me be fulfilled]. And we have many such people. Our commoners - the alms collectors for the churches being built - are honorable people; For the cause of Christ, they seem to have decided to even come close to death, despising their soul, their health, their peace of mind, so that they would fulfill the deprivation of the Church of God or the poor parishioners. Chapter 3, 7[-21]. But what was an advantage for me, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. And I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Him I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish [glory: I count all the wisdom of being], that I may win Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God by faith; to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and participation in His sufferings [glory: and the communication of His passion], being conformed to His death, in order to achieve the resurrection of the dead. I say this not because I have already achieved or perfected myself; but I strive, lest I attain as Christ Jesus attained me. Brethren, I do not consider myself to have attained; but only, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal for the honor of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. So, whoever is perfect among us should think like this; if you think differently about something, then God will reveal this to you. However, as far as we have reached, we must think and live according to that rule. Imitate me, brothers, and look to those who walk in the image that you have in us. For many, about whom I have often told you, and now even speak with tears, act as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in shame, they think about earthly things. Our residence is in heaven, from where we await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body so that it will be consistent with His glorious body, by the power by which He acts and subdues all things to Himself. So, for Christ, the Apostle of Christ renounced everything and counted everything as excrements, in order to gain Christ alone, to understand Him, the power of His resurrection for believers and the communication of His passion, and to achieve the blessed resurrection from the dead. The Apostle of Christ did not recognize himself as having achieved Christian perfection, but strived forward and forward, forgetting what was behind, in order to achieve the predetermined honor of the highest calling of God in Christ Jesus. The end for the enemies of the Cross of Christ is destruction. According to the truth of God, they do not deserve a better fate: not wanting to know the teachings of the cross, not honoring the Crucified One, they know the service of one belly as God; They place all their glory in mundane affairs and think only about earthly things, without rising to heavenly things. Judgment has long been prepared for them: he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption [Gal. 6.8]. So, the end for such people is destruction - because they think only about earthly things. But our thoughts are directed to the heavenly fatherland, because our life is in heaven, from where we wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our mortal body so that it is consistent with His glorious body. Ch. 4, art. 3. I also ask you, sincere co-worker, to help them, who labored in the gospel together with me and with Clement and with my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. The names of those who labored in the gospel with the apostle, with Clement and his companions, are written, according to the teacher of languages, in the book of life: this, of course, is certain. The feat of evangelism probably atoned for all the sins of these companions, who were probably not sinless, like the recent pagans who walked in a vanity of mind, doing the will of their thoughts. 4[-5] art. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say: rejoice. Let your meekness be known to all people. The Lord is near. How can we not always rejoice in the Lord, who has made us glad with His salvation! Yes, every Christian should repeat: Rejoice, brother, and again I will say: Rejoice. 7–9. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, my brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if there is any excellence or if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned, what you have received and heard and seen in me, do it, and the God of peace will be with you. God of peace! Grant me this peace that surpasses all understanding, so that it will keep both my mind and heart within proper limits. But You, Lord, are our peace. What is needed to unite with You in order to have heavenly peace in the soul? Try not to think or talk about anything else but about what is true, honest, righteous, most pure, most kindly, and praiseworthy, which constitutes the virtue and praise of a Christian. 10[-13 st.]. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that you have already begun to take care of me again; you cared before, but circumstances were not favorable to you. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content with what I have. I know how to live in poverty, I know how to live in abundance; learned everything and in everything [glory: in everything and in all habits], to be satisfied and to endure hunger, to be both in abundance and in shortage. I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. Today's pastor-preachers are far from being like the great preacher of the pagans: almost no one (especially among the city shepherds) is skilled in everything and everyone; Rarely can anyone say that he is used to being content with what he has - he can tolerate poverty, and knows how to hold onto excess. At the slightest lack we complain about our means of support. Learn from the apostle to get used to everything. He could do and endure everything when strengthened by the power of Jesus Christ, and you ask yourself the same strength from the Lord. If there is an opportunity to address this speech to parishioners, address it to them in a decent place. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians Ch. 1, 4[-6] art. We give thanks to God... having heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and about your love for all the saints, in hope of the things prepared for you in heaven, which you heard before in the true word of the gospel, which remains with you, as it does in the whole world, and bears fruit and increases. So, the hope for the heavenly blessings proclaimed in the Gospel is undoubted, and Christians struggle for the sake of this hope. 10[-17 st.]. We acted worthy of God, pleasing Him in everything, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, in all patience and generosity with joy, giving thanks to God the Father, who called us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light, who delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son [glory: Who has delivered us from power darkness and give into the Kingdom the Son of His love], in whom we have redemption through His Blood and forgiveness of sins, Who is the image of the invisible God, begotten before all creation; For by Him all things were created, that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible: whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers - all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things stand. Glory to God the Father, who presented us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son, and to the Son, who delivered us from the power of darkness by His Blood. God the Father deigned that all fullness should dwell in Him [glory: deign that all fulfillment should dwell (every fullness of gift)] and that through Him he would reconcile everything to Himself, pacifying through Him, through the Blood of His cross, both earthly and heavenly. And you, who were once alienated and enemies, by disposition to evil deeds, He has now reconciled in the body of His flesh, by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and blameless before Him, if you continue steadfast and steadfast in the faith and do not fail from the hope of the gospel which you have heard, which was proclaimed to every creature under heaven [v. 19–23]. Here, Christians, is your hope and joy! 28[-29 v.] We preach Christ, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; for which I labor and strive through His power, which powerfully works in me. God grant that we, shepherds, may someday apply these words to ourselves: we are the successors of the apostles and should try, as far as possible, to imitate them both in everything and in our zeal for preaching the word of God, in order to present every person perfect in Christ Jesus. Chapter 2, 6[-7]. Just as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, being rooted and established in Him and strengthened in the faith as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Do you thank God for your name of Christian and adoption through Christ to God and do you live worthy of this great name? Do you live as if you accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, meek and humble in heart, devoted in all things to the will of the Heavenly Father, loving everyone with a love as strong as death? 9. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Divine bodily. The greatest truth: in the human body lives all the fullness of the Divinity, that is, in the body of Jesus Christ. Christians! Be you also complete in Him, that is, just as God included in our nature, so to speak, the entire fullness of His Divinity, so we must include in God the entire fullness of virtues possible for man: be holy, because I am holy [1 Pet. 1:16]: you are complete in Him. For this reason we are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, putting off the sinful body of the flesh, with the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which they were raised together by faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead [v. 10–12]. Chapter 3, [1–16]. So, if you have been raised with Christ, then seek the things that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God; Set your mind on things above, and not on earthly things. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, appears, then you will appear with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death your members on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust and covetousness, which is idolatry, for which the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience (mean the rebellious pagans), to whom you also once converted when you lived among them. And now you put everything aside: anger, rage, malice, slander, foul language of your lips; speak no lies to one another, having put off the old man with its deeds and put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created him... Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against anyone: just as Christ has forgiven you, so have you. Above all, put on love, which is the sum of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body (the body is called the Church), and be friendly. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom; teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. What high rules of morality! What sweet, heavenly promises! Christian! Boast about your faith: it is your glory and your consolation. Above this glory, you will not find better consolations anywhere. Next are instructions to wives, children, parents, slaves and masters. Chapter 4, 3[-4]. Pray for us, that God will open the door for us to speak, to proclaim the mystery of Christ (and for us - the mystery of the Holy Trinity) ... so that I will open it as I should proclaim it. To the Thessalonians First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul Chapter 1, 9–10. Christians! You live to serve the living and true God and to look for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. So, we absolutely must in this life serve God with fear, faith and good deeds and wait for the judgment of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 2, [Art.] 3 et seq. In our teaching there is no error, no unclean motives, no deceit; but, just as God has deigned to entrust us with the gospel, so we speak, pleasing not men, but God, who tests our hearts. For we never had before you any words of endearment, as you know, or any form of self-interest: God is my witness! We do not seek human glory either from you or from others: we could appear with importance, like the Apostles of Christ, but we were quiet among you, like a nurse tenderly treats her children. So, out of zeal for you, we wanted to convey to you not only the gospel of God, but also our souls, because you have become kind to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and exhaustion: working night and day, so as not to burden any of you, we preached the gospel of God to you. You and God are witnesses of how holy and righteous and impeccable we acted before you, believers, because you know how each of you, as the father of his children, we asked and convinced and begged to act worthy of God, who called you to His Kingdom and glory. What a language! This is the language of the most tender father who loves his children completely unselfishly - even more than the language of a father! This is the language of the most holy and sublime love, the love of God! Let us compare our actions with the words of the apostle: we are also preachers. Are we so selfless, do we have love for our flock? Chapter 3, 2[-8]. We must affirm and console our flock in their sorrows with our faith that this is what we are destined to do in this life. For even then, as we were with you, says the apostle, we predicted to you that we would suffer, as it happened, and you know. Therefore, I, unable to bear it any longer, sent (I could not bear it so as not to send to inquire) to find out about your faith, so that the tempter (the devil) would not tempt you and our labor would not become in vain. Now, when Timothy came to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love, and that you always have a good memory of us, wanting to see us, just as we do you, then we, in all our sorrow and need, were comforted by you, brethren, for the sake of your faith; for now we are alive as you stand in the Lord. This is the love of a father for his children in the highest degree! The Apostle was worried whether the faith of his children, born of the gospel of Christ, had wavered, but hearing that it had not wavered, and having learned about their love for themselves, he was comforted and calmed down in his sorrows and deprivations, which were so great for him. He considers himself as if resurrected at the news of their faith: we are alive when you stand in the Lord. 12[-13 v.] And may the Lord... fill you with love for one another and for everyone... to establish your hearts blameless in holiness (faith) before God and our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Amen. The apostle's prayer was probably valid. We must also pray about this. Chapter 4, [Art. 1–9]. Brethren, we ask and plead with you by Christ Jesus, that you, having received from us how you ought to act and please God, may more and more prosper, for you know what commandments we gave you from the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from fornication; so that each of you knows how to keep his vessel in holiness and honor, and not in the passion of lust, like the pagans who do not know God... For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. So, he who is disobedient (to us, mentors) is not submissive to man, but to God, who gave us His Holy Spirit ([about Tr.]). There is no need to write to you about brotherly love; for you yourselves were taught by God (through the apostle) to love one another. 14[-17] art. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then God will bring those who died in Jesus with Him... The dead in Christ will rise before (the living)... together with them we will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. This is the most gratifying hope for a Christian. Chapter 5, 2 art. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 4[-10 v.] But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of day: we are not sons of night nor of darkness. So let us not sleep, like others, but let us stay awake and be sober. For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. Let us, being sons of the day, be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation, because God has not appointed us to receive wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep, we may live together with Him. (The above night is, of course, moral.) 12[-13]. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you, and those who preside over you in the Lord... to honor them especially with love for their work; be at peace with each other. This is said about us. [Art. 16–19.] Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Don't quench the spirit. Here is the Holy Trinity! 24. He who calls you to His eternal glory is faithful, who will do this and fulfill His calling. Second Epistle to the Thessalonians of St. Paul the Apostle Chapter 1, 3. It is always right that we should thank God for you, brethren, because your faith increases, and the love of each one of you increases among you all. Oh, that we, the shepherds of Christ's flock, could say the same as the apostle. But we seem to be deprived of this happiness: in our time, many Christians live almost without faith; love is also at the lowest level among the majority of the followers of Christ, if one can call them followers. 7[-12] art. Brethren, we must certainly look forward to the revelation (appearance) of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with His mighty angels (with His mighty angels), in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will undergo punishment, eternal destruction, from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes to be glorified in His saints and to appear wondrously on the day it is in all those who believed, since you believed our testimony [glory: for our testimony was confident in you, on that day (our testimony about you is true)]. For this reason we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of the (heavenly) calling and accomplish every good pleasure and work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. So, eternal torment is certain for stubborn sinners: this is known both from here and from many other places of Holy Scripture. But God will be glorified at His second coming in all His saints in His infinite goodness; The apostle believed that the Christians he converted would truly be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven on the terrible day of Judgment (may our testimony be assured in you on that day). This is what he always prayed for. Pray, Apostle of Christ, for us too, so that our God may vouchsafe us a heavenly title. Chapter 2, 13[-14] art. We must always thank God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, that God from the beginning, through the sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth, chose you to salvation, to which He called you through our gospel, to achieve the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 16[-17th century]. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and our God and Father, who loved us and gave us eternal consolation and good hope in grace, comfort your hearts and confirm you in every good word and deed. We can apply the words up to verse 16 to ourselves: God also chose us from the beginning for salvation... to which He called you from infancy by the gospel, or, better, by Baptism, to achieve the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in the age to come. Only we must live worthy of our calling. May the Lord confirm us in every good word and deed. Chapter 3, [vv. 1–2] Pray for us, brothers, that the word of the Lord may be spread and glorified... and that we may get rid of disorderly and wicked people, for not everyone has faith, that is, not everyone is able to accept the Christian faith. 7 and 8 [-10 v.] We did not riot among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread for free, but we labored and labored night and day [glory: but in toil and toil working night and day], so as not to burden any of you - not because we did not have power, but in order to give ourselves to you as an example for us to follow. For when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone does not want to work, he should not eat. Oh, if only we could say the same as the Apostle of Christ! But we must admit that we often eat too much bread, and sometimes even commit outrages in the eyes of our parishioners. We spend our time not in labor and struggle night and day, like the apostles, but in laziness and negligence, not thinking about any of our spiritual children. Sometimes, for sure, we spend time in work and struggle - but in what kind of work? The first letter of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy Chapter 1, 15 [-16 v.] This is a true saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. But for this reason I received mercy, so that Jesus Christ in me first would show all long-suffering, as an example to those who will believe in Him for eternal life. Sinners! Lift up your heads: Christ has come to save you. And here’s an example: the great persecutor of Christians was saved by Christ. Chapter 2, 9 and 10. Wives should adorn themselves not with precious clothes, not with gold, not with beads, but with good deeds. 15. A wife will be saved through childbearing. 3 chapters, 16 art. And unquestioningly - the great mystery of piety: God appeared in the flesh, justified Himself in the Spirit, showed Himself to the Angels, preached to the nations, was accepted by faith in the world, ascended in glory. The greatest mystery is the appearance of God in the flesh; that Jesus Christ was truly God in the flesh, He justified this by His miracles, which He performed on the Holy Spirit, by the faith of all nations in Him and by His ascension into glory. Chapter 4, 4[-5]. Every creation of God is good, and nothing is reprehensible if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. This means that you don’t need to listen to people who advise you to move away from some of the foodstuffs that God created to eat with thanksgiving. 14. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the priesthood. Work is needed everywhere: grace is given not for laziness and negligence, but as an aid to our weakness. Chapter 5, [Art. 2]. Comfort the old women like mothers; young, as sisters, with all purity, that is, purity of thoughts and hearts both in relation to the truths of the word of God and in relation to females, and purity of motives. Uncleanness, like a disgusting reptile, when dealing with the female sex, imperceptibly creeps into the soul and darkens the conscience. 4. If any widow has children or grandchildren, then let them first learn to honor their family and pay tribute to their parents, for this pleases God. It's coming to you. You have a mother who is a widow. Try to repay her in return for her countless benefits. This inspires in you both your own sense of gratitude and the voice of nature; but if for some reason these suggestions are not strong for you, your Creator, the Lord of your life and death, orders you to do this, and credits your rewards to your parents as merit: this is pleasing to God. 14th century I wish that young widows would marry [glory: I want to harm young widows], give birth to children, manage the house (arrange household affairs) and not give the enemy any reason for slander. The Apostle is concerned about the good reputation of young widows and finds it best to maintain it by encroaching on it. Of course, if a widow can support herself perfectly well without getting married, then she does not need to get married. 17. Great honor should be given to elders who are in charge, especially to those who labor in the word and in doctrine. Work conscientiously in your rank: honor will come of itself. You can, to console yourself, remember these words of the Apostle Paul: Scripture says: Do not muzzle the threshing ox; and: the worker is worthy of his reward [v. 18]. This comes closest to us: our labors are especially precious for people and are worth bribes. Although the full reward for the worthy will be from God. Chapter 6, 5. There are people who are corrupt in mind, deprived of the truth, who do not consider godliness to be an acquisition. How should we behave towards such people? We must distance ourselves from them, and we ourselves must consider piety with contentment a great acquisition. We have brought nothing into this world: it is obvious that we cannot take anything out; therefore, not being content with what we have is foolish: for when a person dies, he will not take anything with him; his glory will not follow him into the grave [Ps. 48.18]. The rule of prudence requires being content only with food and clothing, that is, with the most necessary supplies or living conditions. In addition to their own prudence, examples of covetous people who, wanting to get rich, fell into misfortunes and a snare set for them by deceit, and into many senseless and harmful lusts that plunge a person into all-round corruption (??????? 11) can serve as a motivation for such contentment. and destruction (????????? 12). The love of money is the root of all evil: some, because of money, fell into error and brought upon themselves many diseases. And you, servant of Christ, love truth, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of eternal life, as if for a plank of salvation in your sorrows, illnesses and temptations, to which you are called. Try to live according to the commandments until the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, which in due time will be revealed by the blessed and only strong King of kings and Lord of lords, the only one who has immortality, Who dwells in the unapproachable light, Whom no man has seen and cannot see. Honor and eternal power to him! [Art. 15–16]. Instruct the rich in this age not to think highly of themselves and their wealth and not to rely on this perishable treasure, but on the Living God, who gives us everything abundantly for enjoyment - to do good, to be enriched by good deeds, to be gracious, sociable (in possessions), laying treasures (?????????????????? 13) as a good foundation for the future, so that they receive eternal life. Yes, it would be worth paying the attention of the rich more often to this commandment of the apostle. From their wealth they can lay a wonderful foundation for the next century. Blessed are those rich people who treasure for themselves a good foundation for the future. Second Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy Chapter 1, Article 5. The apostles even now see the tears of pious people crying about their sins and yearning for their heavenly homeland, and through this they are filled with joy, bringing to memory their unfeigned faith. How else can unfeigned faith be expressed, if not by hot tears for oneself, the enemy of God? 7[-8 v.] God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and chastity. So, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor of me, His prisoner; but suffer with the gospel of Christ by the power of God. We are not called to the faith of Christ out of fear. No, we have been given a power that knows no fear, that is, the power of faith, which looks at everything earthly as if it were a vapor that will soon disappear, and sees only the invisible and eternal - love that overcomes everything, and the chastity of the soul, not corrupted by the customs and vices of the world. But what are you saying, Apostle of Christ: do not be ashamed... of me, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, when your very bonds, even after your death, performed terrible miracles? Yes, some were ashamed of this humiliated appearance of the apostle of Christ. Aren't some Christians still ashamed today? It's bad if they are ashamed. 9 tbsp. God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but according to His will and grace, given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, which was now revealed by the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, who destroyed death and revealed life and incorruption through the gospel. Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. After several thousand years of death of mankind, with the coming of the Lord, life and incorruption again spilled into humanity, so that the currents of this grace-filled life and incorruption flow from their fullness onto us sinners, for example, from the relics of holy saints, from the Holy Church as our teacher and educator, from holy saints and, mainly, from the Lord Himself. Chapter 2, Article 4. We are soldiers of Christ. But no warrior binds himself to worldly affairs [glorified: obliges himself to buy worldly things (engages in everyday affairs)] in order to please the military leader. 9 and 10 art. The Apostle of Christ suffered for the gospel, even to the point of being imprisoned as an evildoer... He endured everything for the sake of the elect, so that they too might receive salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Shouldn't we also endure everything for our flock, so that they may receive salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory? Yes, we must be sincere in our relationship with our flock and constantly keep their eternal benefit in mind. 11th century and further. The word is true: if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, then we will reign with Him; if we deny, He will deny us; if we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. In Adam we all sinned, and therefore we all die; in the Lord, on the contrary, having died, we come to life; enduring disasters with Him, we will reign with Him, and this is due to the close connection of Adam, our ancestor, with us, our descendants, as well as the Lord Jesus, our new Forefather. If we do not believe in the Lord, in His redemptive merits, our unbelief will not abolish the faith of God: God, who redeemed us, remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. Fear unbelief as the most dangerous enemy. 14. Remind this, begging before the Lord not to enter into verbal disputes, which in no way serves to benefit, but to the frustration of those listening. 15. Try to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This applies to you too. 19. The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His” [glory: His own]; and: “Let everyone who confesses the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” So, the Lord knows His chosen ones who will inherit the eternal Kingdom. Let everyone who names the Lord turn away from unrighteousness. His name as a Christian is already a sign that he is the Lord. 20[-21]. And in a large house there are vessels not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; and some in honorable, and others in low, use. So, whoever is clean from this will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, fit for every good work. This world is the home of the great Architect - the Lord God; vessels of gold and silver or wood and clay - peoples leading God, pious, or idolaters and wicked; or private individuals - pious or non-pious. There is a black mark in the family, and not all the vessels in the house are good, precious vessels, but some are inexpensive and of low quality. Chapter 3, art. 12. All who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, because the world is evil, sinful, and hates godly people. Chapter 4, 5. Do the work of an evangelist. This applies to you. 18th century The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and preserve me for His Heavenly Kingdom. The Apostle could talk about himself like this, having worked so hard for the faith of Christ and in faith, but you must also constantly pray to the Lord about this. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Titus Chapter 1, 15[-16] art. To the pure all things are pure; but for the defiled and unbelieving there is nothing pure, but their mind and conscience are defiled. They say that they know God, but deny by deeds, being vile and disobedient and incapable of any good deed. There are, indeed, people for whom everything is unclean and everything is bad. Why is this? Of course, not because things are actually unclean, but because their soul is unclean, because their mind, heart and conscience are defiled. Chapter 2, 11[-14] art. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, teaching us that, having rejected ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live chastely, righteously and piously in this present age, awaiting the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, to deliver us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a special people, zealous for good works. Glory to God, who has given us His saving grace. If saving grace has been given to us, then, by the grace of God, we will be saved. Chapter 3, 4[-7] art. But when the grace and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. So, the word is true that God saves us not for our works, but solely by His mercy, although Christianity, as the most perfect faith, certainly requires deeds consistent with faith. 8 tbsp. ...Yes, those who believed in God tried to be diligent in good deeds: this is good and useful to people. Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Philemon The Apostle converted Onesimus, the servant of Filimonov, to Christ, and for this reason he calls him a child. Before, he was his master's unkind servant; but now the apostle, having instructed him in the faith, calls him useful to Philemon and to him (the apostle). Amazing things: Onesimus ran away from his master for an hour to the apostle - and became a Christian; from a lost person - an eternal member of the Kingdom of Christ: he left for a while so that you could accept him forever [v. 15]. This means that faith saves us, but not works, although works are necessary for a Christian: Onesimus has not yet finished his earthly career, but is already called a member of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. In the same sense, those converted by the apostles are called by different names, meaning that they are already members of the Heavenly Kingdom. What is especially remarkable here is the expression of the apostle’s love for the servant Philemon and the apostle’s spiritual child, Onesimus. The Holy Apostle calls it his womb. What lofty, holy love of the most tender father for his son! Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews Chapter 1. About proclaiming the will of God to people: in the last days, through the Only Begotten Son of God; about His Divine greatness: He is the Heir of all the Father’s property; He created time, that is, the visible world with its changes and everything that is in it, and together - the invisible world; He is the radiance of glory (glorious radiance) and the image of the Hypostasis of God the Father; His powerful word carries everything: all worlds are in order and well-being; Having created with Himself, as the Existing Shrine, the cleansing of our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high, or in heaven, and according to humanity. The following are passages from the Old Testament confirming the Divine dignity of Jesus Christ. Raise your spirit, O Christians, to your Divine Redeemer, and do not cleave to the earth. Where I am, said the Savior, there will My servant be, that is, in heaven. Ch.2, art.3[-4]. How can we escape by neglecting so much salvation, which, having first been preached by the Lord (Jesus Christ), was confirmed in us by those who heard from Him, with God witnessing with signs and wonders, and various powers, and the dispensing of the Holy Spirit (divisions of the gifts of the Holy Spirit) according to His will? Yes, those who are careless about such a gospel of salvation, accompanied at almost every step by the highest testimony, true, indisputable, heavenly, omnipotent, will receive due reward, especially since the word spoken by the Angels was quickly known (firmly) and every crime and disobedience against this word received righteous reward. Preachers must preach with power and authority about this salvation to the flock, in season and out of season [2 Tim. 4, 2]. 10 tbsp. [and further]. It was necessary that He, for whom are all things and from whom are all things, bringing many sons to glory, should make the leader of their salvation through suffering. For both the Sanctifier [glorified: Holy] (Savior) and those who are sanctified are all from the One (from God); therefore He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, in the midst of the church I will sing Your praises. And one more thing: I will trust in Him. And one more thing: here I am and the children whom God gave Me. And just as children participate in flesh and blood, He (the Savior) also received them, so that through death (of the flesh) He could deprive the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who were subject to slavery through the fear of death throughout their lives. For He does not receive angels, but He receives the seed of Abraham. Therefore [glory: by no means (for what reason)] He had to become like the brethren in everything, in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest before God [glory: may the high priest be merciful and faithful in those who turn to God (in those who turn to God)], to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For, just as He Himself endured [glory: In Him He suffered (through what He suffered)], having been tempted, He can also help those who are tempted. Chapter 3, [Art. 1–4]. So, holy brethren, partakers in the heavenly calling, understand the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus Christ, who is faithful to Him who appointed Him [glory: the being is faithful to Him who created Him (according to humanity)], just as Moses was in all His (God’s) house. For He is worthy of greater glory before Moses, in proportion as the one who built it (the Lord) has more honor than the house (Moses), for every house is built by someone; and the one who arranged everything is God. 6 tbsp. Christ is like a Son in His house; But we are His house, if only we hold fast the boldness and hope in which we boast. Oh, the most precious truths, the highest truths! So, God the Father considered it necessary, having brought many people into heavenly glory through the merits of His Only Begotten Son, to make this Head of our salvation through suffering so that He, through His humanity, would learn by experience what temptations, weaknesses, and difficulties each person may encounter on the path to salvation. What an immeasurable mercy of God to the human race: and the Author of our salvation, or the Saint (Saint) of our confession according to His humanity, just as we are from the One - from God, therefore the Holy One, that is, Jesus Christ, being the God-man, is not ashamed to call us brothers, saying to God the Father: I will proclaim Your name to My brethren... or again: here I am and the children whom God has given Me... [Chapter 2, art. 11–13]. since the children partook of the nature of flesh and blood, He also partook of the same in the closest, most natural way, that is, He accepted a nature completely common with people, so that by the death of His body, which in people was struck by death, He could abolish the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver people who, through fear of death, were subject to the slavery of the devil all their lives. Truly (oh, infinite mercy, not appreciated by anyone), the Lord does not receive His nature from the Angels, but from the seed of Abraham, so that in this way he can be like the brethren in everything and so that he can be a merciful and faithful (by the identity of nature) High Priest for those who decide to work for the Living God - to cleanse their sins. By the very fact that He suffered, He can help everyone who is tempted and exposed to adversity, having Himself experienced everything in His flesh except sin. Know, then, as you ought to know the Apostle and Holy Hierarch of our confession, Jesus Christ, who will faithfully accomplish His work, for which He appointed Himself from the foundation of the world. If Moses was faithful in everything to the house of God, how much more is He: the Lord, as the God-man, and in His humanity was honored with greater glory than Moses - as much greater honor as the one who created the house has greater honor at home, because every house is built by someone, and God created everything. Christ is like a Son in His house, and we are His house, if only we firmly and to the end hold on to our boldness in faith and glorious hope. Christians! How high is your calling - no tongue can express it!.. Why are you using your calling so poorly? 12 tbsp. [and further]. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil and unfaithful heart, lest you depart from the living God. But instruct one another every day, as long as you can say, “Today,” lest any of you become hardened by being deceived by sin. For we have become partakers of Christ. But the heart is unfaithful when it is deceitful: oh, how one must be afraid of this deceit of the heart! The heart is deceitful when it is unclean, that is, infected with passions: pride and not entirely pure love for others, partial, selfish. In order, therefore, to have a believing heart, you need to cleanse it, with the grace of God, from self-love and pride and other passions, to crush it with humble prayer to God, with a sense of human poverty, wretchedness and blindness. People with evil hearts easily fall away from God; since wickedness is the fruit of passions, crafty apostates can most often be found among noble, rich, learned people - in general, those who enjoy great or some fame in the world and live in contentment and happiness, although there is no doubt that an evil, unfaithful heart can be found under rags. In order not to be carried away by the temptation of sin to unbelief, let us keep in mind the indisputably true and important passages from the holy word of God and console ourselves with them and support ourselves in the faith. Chapter 4, [Art. 1–3]. Let us beware lest, while the promise of entering His rest remains, any of you may be late. For it was announced to us as well as to those; but the word they heard did not benefit them, not being mixed with the faith of those who heard it. And we who have believed enter into rest, since He said: “I swore in My wrath that they would not enter My rest,” although His works were accomplished at the beginning of the world (which means, not the Old Testament Sabbath, of course)... [Arts 9–12] Therefore, there still remains a Sabbath (rest) for the people of God... let us try to enter into that rest, so that no one, following the same example, falls into disobedience. For the word of God is living and active (we enter into rest, that is, into the Kingdom of Heaven, through the word of God, through obedience to it) and sharper than any two-edged sword: it penetrates to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart (judges thoughts and thoughts: how majesticly the effect of the word of God on the soul of man is depicted!). Let us not resist the word of God, like the Jews in the desert, so that we do not lose God’s promise to enter into His eternal rest. Let us believe him and direct our lives according to faith, then we too will improve this Sabbath left to the people of God at the end of the world. 13th century There is no creature hidden from Him, but everything is naked and open before His eyes. Before Him, all creatures are in full view: everything is naked, clear to His eyes, nothing is hidden and cannot be hidden. 14 [-16 st.]. Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. How can one not adhere to such a glorious confession, of which the Chief passed through the heavens and was higher than the heavens? The leaders of other faiths were weak, sinful people: they were from the earth, they were buried in the earth. And the Leader of our confession is the sinless God, who sincerely partook of human flesh and blood and is therefore able to suffer with our infirmities. Chapter 5. About the High Priesthood of Christ. Convicting Jews of religious ignorance. Chapter 6, v. 4–8. It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the gift of heaven, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the future age, and have fallen away, to again renew them with repentance, when they again crucify the Son of God within themselves and mock Him. The earth, which drinks the rain that falls on it many times and produces grain useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God; but the thorns and thistles that produce are worthless and are close to a curse, the end of which is burning. How hard and painful it is to see that the land, the cultivation of which took a lot of work, which was carefully watered, gives birth to thorns and thistles instead of the good ones it once was! Isn’t it all the more painful to see a man fall away, whose conversion from his errors and vices to the light of truth and piety was worth so much work, who enjoyed all the blessings of heaven and earth and drank in abundance the blessed rain that fell on him many times? That is why it is impossible to renew such people with repentance again: they are fit for nothing but to be burned. These are barren trees, clouds and darkness, driven by a storm [2 Pet. 2.17]. 10 tbsp. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the labor of love that you have shown in His name, serving and serving the saints (the poor brothers converted to Christianity). Yes, God will not forget a good deed done out of love for God and neighbors for our needy brothers. 12 [-20 v.] So that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. God, giving a promise to Abraham, as he could not swear by anyone higher, swore by himself, saying: truly blessing I will bless you and multiplying you. And so Abraham, being patient, received what was promised. People swear by the highest, and an oath as confirmation ends every dispute between them. Therefore, God, wanting more to show the heirs of the promise the immutability of His will, used an oath as a means, so that in two immutable things [glor.: God ... interceding with an oath: yes, with two immutable things (Himself and an oath)], in which it is impossible for God to lie, we would have firm consolation, having resorted to take hold of the hope set before us, which is like for the soul would be a safe and strong anchor, and enters into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus entered as a forerunner for us, becoming a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Everywhere you need patience and faith. If before receiving earthly objects one must often wait and be patient for a long time, then is it not necessary to be patient even more before receiving much more important, heavenly and eternal objects? And Abraham was patient until he received the promise. The promises of God's word are undoubted: God sealed them with his own oath. Ch. 7, art. 5. Those who receive the priesthood from the sons of Levi have a commandment - to take tithes from the people according to the law (4 books of Moses, chapter 18, v. 21), that is, from their brothers, although these also came from the loins of Abraham. And we use something like a tithe from our parishioners. 24 [-27] art. The Lord, as abiding forever, also has an imperishable priesthood, and therefore can always save those who come to God through Him, being always alive to intercede for them. Rejoice, Christians: you have an eternal High Priest - Christ, who always lives to intercede for you. Through Him, draw near to God with boldness: This is what our High Priest should be: holy, free from evil, blameless, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens, who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, then for the sins of the people, for He did this once, sacrificing Himself. Glory to Thee, great Bishop! Save us by the power of Your all-saving, all-purifying sacrifice. Ch. 8. About the superiority of the New Testament over the Old. Ch. 9, Art. 11 ff. Christ, the High Priest of future good things, having come with a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this dispensation, and not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own Blood, once entered the sanctuary and acquired eternal redemption (as the Son of God). For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, through sprinkling, sanctify the defiled, so that the body may be pure, how much more will the Blood of Christ, Who through the Holy Spirit offered Himself spotless to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living and true God! And therefore He is the mediator of the new covenant, so that through His death, which was for redemption from the crimes committed in the first covenant, those who are called to an eternal inheritance may receive the promise. For where there is a will, it is necessary that the death of the testator follow, because a will is valid after the dead: it has no force when the testator is alive. Why was the first covenant (old) not established without blood... Art. 24 Jesus Christ entered... into heaven itself to appear now for us before the face of God. What lofty, most joyful, most joyful truths! The blood of the Son of God cleanses our conscience from dead works, so that with boldness of heart and love we can serve the Living and True God, and the Son of God Himself entered into heaven itself in order to appear before the face of His Heavenly Father as an eternal Intercessor for us. Chapter 10, 5 [ff]. Entering the world, he says: You did not desire sacrifices and offerings, but you prepared a body for Me. Burnt offerings and sin offerings are displeasing to You. Then I said: Behold, I come, as at the beginning of the book it is written about Me, to do Your will, O God... By this will we are sanctified by the one-time offering of the body of Jesus Christ... He, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever at the right hand of God, waiting then until His enemies were made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. What the greatest sacrifice the Son of God made with Himself: once by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, we were all sanctified and became perfect, innocent, sinless before the justice of the Heavenly Father. Glory to Thee, great, universal High Priest! 17th century The Lord says: I will remember their sins and iniquities no more, that is, after offering the Sacrifice on the Cross. [Verse 18] Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no need for an offering for them. Development of the previous thought that Jesus Christ sanctified us all with a single offering of His body and that now there can no longer be a Jewish offering of a sacrifice for sin: according to the testimony of the Spirit of God, the sins and iniquities of the followers of Christ are forgiven and are not remembered at the throne of the righteousness of God. 19[-25] art. Brethren, having boldness to enter into the sanctuary through the Blood of Jesus Christ, by a new and living way, which He again revealed to us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart, with full faith, having cleansed our hearts from an evil conscience by sprinkling, and having washed our bodies with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of hope steadfastly, for He is faithful. Promised. Let us be attentive to each other, encouraging each other to love and good deeds. Let us not forsake meeting ourselves together, as is the custom of some; but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see that day approaching. With a true, unfeigned heart and firm faith, with a clear conscience and washed bodies, we will enter the Kingdom of Heaven through a living connection - Jesus Christ. 28 Art. and further. If he who rejects the law of Moses, in the presence of two or three witnesses, is punished without mercy with death, then how severe a punishment do you think will be guilty of the one who tramples on the Son of God and does not consider holy the Blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace? We know the One who said: Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And one more thing: The Lord will judge His people. It's scary to fall into the hands of the living God! O man! Be afraid to trample on the Son of God, to consider the Blood of the Testament unclean and to reproach the Holy Spirit: and you, although perhaps without knowing it yourself, are doing this. Oh, be attentive a thousand times to the Most Holy Eucharist! Remember that it is scary to fall into the hands of the living God. Ch. 11, 3 art. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what is visible was made out of things that are visible. Thus, we accept only by faith the most important truth of the creation of the world, that is, that space and time (the centuries) or the visible world were called into existence out of nothing by the word of Almighty God. 11 [-12] art. By faith Sarah herself (being barren) received the power to receive seed, and out of season she gave birth, for she knew that He who promised was faithful. And therefore from one, and, moreover, a dead (old) one, as many were born, as there are many stars in the sky and as countless are the sand on the seashore. How great is the power of faith: it can create wondrous things out of nothing! From the barren, already dead from old age, false Sarah, God, for the faith of Abraham, brought forth countless people, like the stars of heaven! Here the Creator of the world is visible with amazing clarity: there you see His finger, where, according to human calculations, it is impossible to do anything. Every person from here must learn that if he wants to be something in the eyes of God, then here he should consider himself nothing. Then the power of God, made perfect in weakness, will make him something. 29 Art. By faith they (the Israelites) crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter also walked on a lake like dry land and began to drown only because he doubted. Demanding faith from us, the Lord requires from us childlike, simple trust in Himself as our almighty Father. And the good son who trusts his father in everything, and the one who does not believe is evil, unkind, and bad. 30 tbsp. By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after a seven-day march. What is the triumph of faith?! This whole chapter speaks beautifully, solemnly, of the power of faith. Think more often about the power of faith... Chapter 12, 2 art. and further. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross... Think about Him who endured such reproach from sinners, lest you become weary and weakened in your souls. You have not yet fought to the point of blood, struggling against sin, and have forgotten the consolation that is offered to you as sons: my son! do not despise the Lord’s punishment, and do not lose heart when He reproaches you. For the Lord punishes whomever he loves; he beats every son whom he receives. If you suffer punishment, then God treats you as sons. For is there any son whom his father does not punish? If you remain without punishment, which is common to all (God’s elect), then you are illegitimate children, not sons. Moreover, if we, being punished by our carnal parents, were afraid of them, then should we not much more submit to the Father of spirits in order to live? I will find comfort in my illnesses and misfortunes, thinking that God will punish me like a Father will punish a son. I will obey Him in a completely childlike way, as the Father of spirits and all flesh, in happiness and misfortune. Who should I obey if not Him? Only in God does my soul rest: from Him is my salvation [Ps. 61.2]. 11[-15] art. Any punishment at the present time seems not to be joy, but sadness; but afterwards he brings to those who are taught the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore strengthen your bowed hands and weakened knees, and walk straight with your feet, so that what is lame may not be turned aside, but rather be made straight. Try to have peace with everyone and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God. I will be consoled by the idea of ​​the joyful consequences of the Lord’s temporary punishment, and I will begin to strive unremittingly on the path of virtue. I will live in peace and holiness with everyone. 26[-29] art. The kingdom is unshakable (and the earthly kingdom is unshakable): whose voice then shook the earth, and who now made this promise: once again I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens, which means the changing of those who are shaken, as of created things, so that what cannot be shaken may continue... let us keep the grace (given to each of us), with which we will serve God acceptably, with reverence and fear, because our God is consuming fire. In particular, remember this most of all: you serve God through the grace of God - serve with reverence and fear. Chapter 13, art. [5]. Have a non-money-loving disposition, being content with what you have. For He Himself said: I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not love wealth and do not try to increase it without being content with what you have. Look, having become rich, you will rely on wealth instead of God: it greatly blinds a person’s eyes, puffs him up and spoils him in every way. Try to be content with little, keeping in mind the care of the Heavenly Father, who will not leave you. 7 tbsp. Remember your mentors who preached the word of God to you, and, looking at the end of their lives, imitate their faith. The memory of our teachers of faith should be a sacred matter for us. 8 tbsp. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our Savior is still the same as He was on earth - the same meek and humble in heart, the same merciful and loving. 16th century Do not forget also charity and sociability, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. How often does the Word of God remind you of charity: be careful not to forget it. 17th century Obey your teachers and be submissive, for they are vigilantly watching over your souls, as those who must give an account; so that they do this with joy, and not sighing, for this is not good for you. The debt of gratitude to our mentors already obliges us to obey them from the heart, to surrender to their will. In fact, spiritual mentors deserve complete trust and obedience from us: they care about our eternal salvation and will give an answer to God for us. 20[-21] art. May the God of peace, who raised up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus [Christ], perfect you in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ. Glory to him forever and ever! Amen. So, here is another confirmation of the truth that the good we do is done in us by God through Jesus Christ or with the assistance of the grace bestowed by Jesus Christ. The end of the apostolic epistles. Continued reading of the Gospel of Luke Chapter 17 Art. 12–19. About ten lepers. In response to their request: have mercy on us, the Lord ordered them to show themselves to the priests, in fulfillment of the Old Testament law about lepers. All the lepers went to Jerusalem - to the priests. On the way, they were suddenly cleared of leprosy. One of the lepers, noticing that he was healed of leprosy, returned to the Benefactor, loudly praising God, and fell at the feet of the Savior, thanking Him; it was a Samaritan. The Lord teaches everyone by the example of the Samaritan to be grateful for the gifts sent down to us from God, and also teaches us a living faith that receives everything. 21 Art. The Kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom of God consists in the peace of our spiritual powers, in joy in the Holy Spirit [Rom. 14,17]. 24 Art. As lightning that flashes from one end of the sky shines to the other end of the sky, so will the Son of Man be on His day. This is how God likened the day of His terrible coming. He will come suddenly and suddenly illuminate the sinful earth with His terrible light. The Son of Man, shining brighter than the sun, will appear in the heavenly places with the sign of His suffering and with much power. How terrible this day will be for sinful people, it is now impossible to imagine: its suddenness and greatness will so amaze people that all the tribes of the earth will weep from the fear of it. Chapter 18. About the unjust judge, who does not fear God and does not put man to shame. A widow came to him for a very long time, asking him to take revenge on her rival for her. The judge did not want to do this for a long time. But finally he said to himself: although I do not fear God and am not ashamed of people (that means, I could drag out the widow’s case as long as I wanted), but since she bothers me with her persistent requests, so that she does not bother me anymore, I will take revenge for her... So says the unjust judge. If he finally decided to avenge the widow, then will not God avenge His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night, and for a long time bear the injustices of the people of this age against them? I tell you that he will avenge them soon. 9–15 art. About the Pharisee and the Publican. Do not boast about your good deeds, otherwise your good deeds will lose value. A humble, repentant sinner is incomparably more pleasing to God than a virtuous person who is proud of his virtues. One should not think much about good deeds, because they are not accomplished by us, but by the grace of God through us. Everything we have is God’s, except sin. 16[-17] Art. Let the children come to Me and do not forbid them, for to such is the Kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it. So, don’t cry a lot when your children leave you to go to the Heavenly Father: they are better off there than with you, no matter who you are, even the royal family. Chapter 19, 1–10. About Zacchaeus. 11–28. Parable of ten slaves and disobedient citizens. Ten slaves are all people who are slaves of the Lord by right of creation and the incessant, greatest benefits to them, lasting from the first to the last minute of their existence. Mnas is a coin given for multiplication. Each of us is given abilities from God - so that through them we increase the wealth of the Heavenly Lord in one way or another, through this or that art, this or that ability. Only two slaves properly increased the property of their Master; others buried their Master’s silver in the ground and came to Him empty-handed. A certain man, so the parable begins, of high birth went to a distant country in order to receive a kingdom for himself and return. This man of noble family is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Heavenly Father. He went to a distant country, that is, ascended into heaven, to receive for himself the kingdom, or glory, which He had with the Father before the world was [Jn. 17.5], and return, that is, in order to come to earth again to judge His servants, or the human race. Remember that your Master, who gave you talents to multiply, will return and demand an account from you for them. The citizens hated this man of noble family, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ, and when he went to the high villages to receive a kingdom for himself, they sent ambassadors after him, saying: We do not want you to be king over us. And he was king over them by all rights (what is the insolence of slaves). But then he returned, having received the kingdom, and the enemies, who did not want him to reign over them, ordered to be brought to them and cut up before them. A worthy punishment! So what? Surely there are such daring slaves even now? These are all those who hate the easy yoke of Christ, abhor the simplicity of the Gospel and in everything follow the attraction of their violent passions. They will suffer the same fate as the aforementioned daring slaves. 42 Art. Oh, if only you, even on this day, knew what serves for your peace! But this is now hidden from your eyes. So we sometimes forget ourselves, indulging in pleasures. But if they knew the day of God’s visitation, they would be more careful. Chapter 20, 2. By what authority are You doing this, or who gave You this authority? Sometimes noticing the power and strength in the preacher’s word, as well as his boldness in exposing the weaknesses of his listeners, another asks the preacher to himself: by what authority are You doing this, or who gave You this power to attack our weaknesses in this way? Answer them with the strength of a shepherd who is zealous for the good of his flock: by what authority were you baptized by a priest and sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit? By what authority does the priest absolve you of your sins; By what authority does he perform life-giving Mysteries, bless marriage, etc.? Their answer to these questions will be the answer of the shepherd himself. 9 tbsp. and further. One man planted a vineyard and gave it to winegrowers [glory: workers], and went away for a long time; and in due time he sent a slave to the vinedressers so that they would give him fruits from the vineyard (as it is certain that people, like spiritual grapes, must certainly give from themselves the fruits of good deeds); but the winegrowers, having beaten him, sent him away empty-handed. He sent another and a third, but they did the same. Finally, the lord of the grapes sends his beloved son, saying: Perhaps they will be ashamed of my son. But they killed their son too, taking him out of the grapevine. What will the Lord of the grapes do to those workers? He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others. This vineyard was the people of Judah or, more specifically, Jerusalem. The Lord of the grapes, or the Heavenly Father, sends a slave, that is, a prophet, to the workers of the grapes, that is, to the elders of the Jews, so that he can receive fruit from the grapes. But the elders of the Jews, not tolerating the words of reproof from the prophets, annoyed them and drove them out. Finally, when the Son of God Himself was sent, they killed Him by nailing Him to the cross. As punishment for such deeds, the workers were indeed destroyed by God and the grapes were given to other workers - the New Testament shepherds. The grapes of God now exist throughout the whole earth and are not limited to Jerusalem. 34 and 35 Art. The children of this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are deemed worthy to reach that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Married and single! Remember the age to come, in which they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and will no longer be able to die, for they are equal to the Angels [v. 36]. 38 art. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for with Him all are alive. So, all our dead are alive: they died only for our carnal feelings, they died in body, but did not die in soul, but live; God sees them, and God Himself is a witness that they are alive. Chapter 21. About a poor widow who gave two mites, that is, small coins, as a gift to God; according to the word of the Savior, she put in more than everyone else, although many people put rich gifts into the treasury. Poor people! Do not be ashamed of your poor offerings as a gift to God. He knows how to value them not in a human way, but in a Divine way, righteously. 18th century And a hair from your head will not disappear. What complete safety is promised to those who suffer for the sake of truth! In these words one can see the all-powerful Lord of life and death. 24 Art. Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. So, long or short, the time of the pagans will have to end, that is, either they will be destroyed, like the Canaanite peoples once were, or they will turn to Christ. 34[-36] art. Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with gluttony and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and lest that day come upon you suddenly, for like a snare it will come upon all those who live throughout the whole face of the earth; Therefore, watch at all times and pray, that you may be worthy to escape all these future disasters and to stand before the Son of Man. Do not worry, do not be sad much about everyday affairs, so that, as punishment for your carelessness about the salvation of your soul, the day of death and God’s judgment over you does not suddenly befall you. Watch at all times, praying to God, and you will be safe. Chapter 22, 29[-30] art. I bequeath to you, as My Father bequeathed to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. You, says the Savior, remained with Me in My adversities [v. 28], which is why, by the way, I bequeath to you... the Kingdom, that you may eat and drink with Me at My table in My Kingdom. What a high promise! How good it is to suffer with Jesus! 53 art. Now is your time and the power of darkness (the power of the prince of darkness). Until the time came for the wicked to complete their wickedness and for the Son of God to suffer from the wicked, until then, no matter how hard the scribes and elders of the Jews tried to kill Jesus, they could not do this, and nowhere could the Savior be taken except in Jerusalem, so that all the power and cunning of man were put to shame by heavenly power and wisdom to the highest degree. The Lord said: it does not happen that a prophet perishes outside of Jerusalem [Lk. 13.33], – and so it happened. People could only do to Jesus what was predestined for Him to experience from people from eternity. It was not men who mocked Jesus, but God who mocked men in their dealings with Jesus. Art. 61 Before the rooster crows, you will deny [glory: having rejected] Me three times. And now you can find people boasting of devotion to the Lord, but how often they, like Peter, are rejected in the face of the world because they do not know Jesus. Christians! Take good care of yourself. The devil sets snares at every step. Chapter 23, Art. 34 Father! forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. This is how the crucified Jesus prayed. And we must also pray for our enemies. For the most part, people are definitely malicious towards us out of blindness. If they knew well those to whom they are angry, they would not act so vilely towards them. 49 art. [and further]. Yet those who knew Him, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood afar off and looked on. Those whose hearts were closest to the crucified Jesus stood far away from the cross, because the nearest places were occupied by the elders of the Jews, soldiers and people. They followed with their gaze the most longed-for Lord - and so, when Joseph laid His body in a new tomb, they noticed the tomb and how His body was laid out. Having returned, they prepared incense and ointments for the Divine Dead; and on the Sabbath they remained in peace according to the commandment (Ex. 20:10). Chapter 24 and last. On the very first day of the week, very early, bringing the prepared spices, they came to the tomb, and with them some others; but they found the stone rolled away from the coffin. And when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. When they were perplexed about this, two men suddenly appeared before them in shining clothes. And when they were in fear and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them: Why are you looking for the living among the dead? [vv.1-5]. Ah, Angels of God! You know very well the Living and life-giving Lord of yours and ours, but people, out of weakness, out of their blindness, all think that their Sweetest Jesus, like all people, lived, died, and through death ceased to exist for them on earth. This is an angelic question and it comes completely to you, as to living, immortal spirits, constantly beholding the face of the Living God; but to us he seems very brave. How can we not look for our Jesus among the dead, when we ourselves saw that He was laid in the tomb, when we ourselves know that He was counted among the dead? You see His ever-living Divinity, His living soul, and we, as covered with flesh, first of all see His buried body: and we brought spices and myrrh to anoint Him. 44 art. This is what I told you about while I was still with you, that everything that was written about Me in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms must be fulfilled. The divinity of our Savior is obvious, among other things, from the fact that the types and prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Him; There was no important thing in the life of Jesus Christ that was not predicted or foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Chapter 1, 3[-5] art. Everything began to be through Him (the Hypostatic Word), and without Him nothing began to be that began to be. In Him there was life (both for the whole world and, in particular, for rational creatures), and life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it. 9[-11 v.] There was the true Light, which enlightens every person who comes into the world. He was in the world (this true Light, this Hypostatic Word of God), and the world began to be through Him (received being), and the world did not know Him. He came to his own, and his own did not accept Him (to his own, that is, to the people of Israel, whom he constantly patronized, in whom he performed countless miracles, whom he led as a father guides his child). A wonderful thing: the Creator of the world comes to earth in the flesh - and the world, rational creatures who saw His miracles, from which it was clear that He created everything, did not know Him; He, who was all by Him, and without the Worthless thing was, the hedgehog was [Russian: everything came to be through Him, and without Him nothing began to be], was born from a poor, although noble by origin, and the Most Holy Virgin, in the manger of dumb animals and throughout His whole life had no place to lay His head; He, in Whom is the life of every creature, was pleased to taste death from the most lawless people; The true light, enlightening every person coming into the world, was imprisoned in the darkness of the tomb by His body. Even the people whom He adopted for Himself, He chose from all the peoples of the earth, to whom He did thousands of the greatest benefits, from the time He chose them for Himself and until His very coming - for several thousand years, did not accept Him: He came to His own, and His own did not accept Him. What extreme condescension of the Divine! What love, beyond all measure! All this condescension of the Creator is in order to save a perishing rational creature, and the death of a rational creature is terrible, indescribably terrible, because this destruction is eternal, endless. If it had not been terrible, the Son of God would not have exhausted Himself in such a way, and Heavenly Justice would have punished the man himself, and not the God-Man, in a worthy manner. 14th century And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father. What a triumph for the mortal race: the hypostatic creative Word of God, God, becomes a fleshly man and takes up residence among people. The self-seers and servants of the former Word and most of the people contemporary with the incarnation of the Word of God saw His glory as the glory of the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth: what grace and truth flowed from His lips, what grace and truth were visible in His entire life, in His miracles, in His benefactions! 15th century This was the One about whom I said that He who came after me stood before me, because He was before me (although John was older than the Savior […] by five months). Thus, according to His Divinity, the Lord Jesus Christ was before John the Baptist, because He was before; He also created John in his mother's womb. 32 art. And John testified, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and remaining on Him.” Brothers, this height of heaven, illuminated at night by the faces of the stars and the moon, and luminous from the sun during the day, is full of life and infinitely greater than the earth. Our earth is an inconspicuous point in God’s creation, although to us, its inhabitants, it seems that life almost reigns on it: in heaven, that is, in the greater and highest part of his creatures, God Himself lives in an unapproachable light; Angels live in heaven and God knows who else is there. Due to our limitations, due to our ignorance, the heavenly firmament seems to us empty, lifeless, while all life is there, and on our earth there is only an insignificant particle of life. Direct your thoughts, desires, and hopes to the sky more often. 42 Art. The divinity of our Savior is obvious from His teaching, His miracles and almost all actions: the fullness of the Divinity that dwelt in Him was, so to speak, poured out in His every deed and word, even in His gaze. Here, by the way, is one act of the Lord that shows the omniscient God in Him: the Apostle Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. The Lord, looking at him, said to him: you are Simon, son of Jonah, whereas I have never heard from anyone that his name is Simon and that his father is Jonah; then he gives him a new name Peter, expressing the firmness of his confession, and in order to give such a name, it was necessary to see the disposition of Simon’s soul and his future zeal for the faith. 47 art. Again: the Lord sees Nathanael coming to Himself and says about him: this is truly an Israelite, in whom there is no guile, while the Savior had never heard of him before. Nathanael was surprised how a stranger, a complete stranger to him, knew him so well that he even declared the inner dispositions of his soul. He asks the Lord in amazement: why do you know me? The Omniscient One answers: Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. The words of the Lord: I saw you should be attributed more to the spiritual side of Nathanael, just as they should be understood more about the spiritual vision of the Savior, because the Savior had earlier expressed His knowledge about the spiritual qualities of Nathanael. Nathanael was so struck by this Divine omniscience that He immediately confessed the Lord as the Son of God and the King of Israel. The Lord promises to show him an even greater miracle, namely: the vision of the open heavens and the ascension and descent of Angels to the Son of Man, as the first Israelite saw, in whom there was no guile [Jn. 1.47–51], – Jacob. Chapter 2. About the marriage in Cana of Galilee and about the miracle of turning water into wine. There was not enough wine at the wedding. The Mother of God, who knew very well the Divine omnipotence of Her Son, told Him about this, hoping that He would make wine for them out of nothing. The hour to reveal Himself to the world, to show Himself in miracles at this time had not yet come for Him, and He meekly said to His Mother: what do you and I care about that, Woman? My hour has not yet come. Meanwhile, the Blessed Mother, also knowing well that He would fulfill Her desire, said to the servants: do what He commands (the desire of an ordinary person to see a miracle). And in the house there were six stone waterpots, holding two or three measures. The Lord commands them to be filled with water; they were filled to the brim. The Lord said: now draw and bring in a vessel the architricline (τρίκλινος - triochion, that is, a place about three beds, used in ancient times for reclining at feasts; ἀρχιτρίκλινος - steward of the feast). They brought it. The wine was so good that the architriclin did not know where they got such wine from, while everything else came out as before; Meanwhile, the servants who drew the water knew where it came from. Architriclinus turned to the groom with a reprimand: how did he deceive all the guests so cruelly, first surrounding them with the wine that was worse, and leaving the good wine at the end. I was stingy, I wanted to save money: have you saved good wine until now? The wine made from water was so good and sound, while the groom’s wine was probably also very good in its kind, because the marriage was not poor, as can be seen. So for God everything is possible: He does not necessarily need grape juice to make wine; according to His word, water can turn into grape wine, and the best one at that. And exactly: the natural material of grape wine is grape berries, and the means of making wine is the expulsion of juice from them and its fermentation. But there is no need for God to limit Himself to these materials and these means in order to make the same or better wine. He has the will and omnipotence for this. Just as stones, according to His word, can be turned into bread, so water can be turned into wine. What is surprising after this, if in the sacrament of the Eucharist wine turns into the true Blood of the Lord? In this miracle one can see the skillful, wise Mechanic of the world and all its parts. 16th century He said to those who sold doves: Take this from here, and do not make My Father’s house a house of trade. Learn from this to deeply honor every church of God: it is the house of God. What zeal for the house of God the Savior has! The disciples of Christ could not help but recall one place from the psalm relating to Him: zeal for Your house consumes me (Ps. 68:10). Often the Savior expressed His zeal for the property of His Heavenly Father. For example, He said to His Mother and Joseph, who were looking for Him: Or did you not know that I should be in the things that belong to My Father? [ OK. 2.49]. 23 and 24. Once in Jerusalem, on the feast of Easter, the Savior performed many signs; and many believed in Him. But He Himself did not delve into their faith, because He Himself knew everything and because He did not need any testimony about people, and He Himself knew perfectly well what was in man. Look, man, be extremely careful in your faith so as not to offend it and its Leader, be as sincere, ardent, and simple in your faith as possible, do not be cunning, do not be cunning in your thoughts and heart: your Savior knows everything; He sees in full view what is in you. You will not deceive Him; You can deceive people, you can be a hypocrite before them, but God knows everything. Look: even if you believe in the Lord, but not sincerely, He will not give Himself into your faith, He will leave you in contempt for your wickedness, for your insincerity, just as a master does not give himself into the faith of his wicked servant. Chapter 3. Every Christian who is well acquainted with his faith cannot help but say about the Divine Leader of his faith the same thing that Nicodemus said to Him: We know that You are a teacher who came from God; for no one can do such miracles as You do unless God is with him. The Mohammeds and other sectarians who founded their own religions are in no way suitable for comparison with our Divine Founder of faith. Words and deeds revealed people in them, moreover, with human weaknesses, but not any higher, unearthly beings. The Savior answers Nicodemus directly to his secret desire to know how he can be saved or inherit the Kingdom of God, which the Lord preached: truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God [v. 3]. Nicodemus asks in bewilderment: how can a person be born when he is old? Can he another time enter his mother's womb and be born? What childish concepts! The Teacher of Israel knows no other birth than the carnal one. This is the degree to which the concepts of spiritual objects of people contemporary with the Savior stood! The Lord explains His answer to Nicodemus: truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh (as for example, here you are, Nicodemus, who knows almost nothing but the things of the flesh), and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [vv. 5–6]. (He who is born of the Spirit already rises above the things of the flesh, puts aside carnal notions and embraces spiritual ones.) Do not be surprised at what I said to you: you must be born again [v. 7]. And now, probably, many will be surprised when they are told: you should be born in a spiritual way - from above. But this is the absolute truth. They shouldn't be surprised. The Spirit breathes where it wants, and you hear its voice, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes: this is what happens to everyone born of the Spirit [v. 8]. Birth from the Spirit of God takes place mysteriously, unnoticed by man; the reborn hears and feels the actions of the Spirit of God, but does not know where the grace-filled visitation comes to him and where it hides (like the breath of the wind). Nicodemus says: how can this be? - that is, he is surprised, perplexed, does not trust how all this can happen. The Savior reproachfully says to him: you are the teacher of Israel, you rest on the law and yet you do not know this. Truly, truly, I say to you that We (the Trinity?) speak what we know and testify to what we have seen, and you do not accept Our testimony. If I told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? But I am constantly in heaven (I am in heaven) and I came to teach you heavenly truths, to reveal to you the heavenly will. No one has ever ascended into heaven except Him who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven (hence, Who can know heavenly truths better?). You do not believe how a person can be born in a spiritual way, being, for example, old; you don’t even believe this earthly truth that happens before your eyes; but I will tell you an even more important, heavenly truth, which you will believe even less. The Son of Man, who is in heaven and at the same time descended from heaven, must, for the salvation of mankind, ascend on the cross, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God. The judgment is that light has come into the world; but people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed, because they are evil, but he who does righteousness comes to the light, so that his deeds may be revealed, because they are done in God [v. 15–21]. How wisely the Lord instructs the teacher of Israel. First he teaches him the truth about spiritual birth, which is necessary in order to accept and assimilate with his mind and heart a new, heavenly, grace-filled teaching; and in fact, enlightenment from the Spirit of God is necessary for the assimilation by faith and deeds of the truth about the boundless love of God for the human race, the descent of the Son of God to earth for the salvation of men, about His suffering and death; about the Son of God as the Light of the world and about the terrible darkness in which the world is located. The Lord then teaches him the highest truths of Christianity, now mentioned. 27 ff verses. John speaks to the Jews about the Savior when they noticed to him with bewilderment that He baptizes and everyone is coming to Him: a person cannot take on anything unless it is given to him from above; therefore, if the Savior took upon Himself the position of Teacher or if He baptizes through His disciples, then He does this because He received the right to do so from above. You, he says, are your own witnesses that I said about myself that I am not Christ, but only sent before Him. He who has the bride (the Church) is the groom, and the friend of the groom, standing and listening to him, rejoices with joy, hearing the voice of the groom (John - the friend of the Bridegroom - Christ, for his voice). This is my joy fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all (the Son of God is from above: He is the Creator and God, and therefore He is above all); and he who is from the earth (John) is earthly and speaks as one who is from the earth. How incomparably and with what humility John speaks about himself and about the Lord: the answer is truly God-wise. He who comes from heaven is above all, and what He saw and heard, he testifies to; and no one accepts His testimony. He who accepted His testimony has thus sealed that God is true, for He whom God sent speaks the words of God; For God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son and has given everything into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him [v. 31–36]. Excellent, says John, blasphemously. Chapter 4. The Lord, leaving Judea, goes to Galilee. His path lay through Samaria. Here He comes to the Samaritan city of Sychar, which was located near the village 15 which the patriarch Jacob gave to Joseph his son. Jacob's spring was in Sychar. Jesus, tired from the journey, sat down here at the source; it was about six o'clock in the afternoon. At this time, a Samaritan woman comes to draw water. The Lord says to her: Give Me something to drink. This time His disciples were not there: they went into the city to buy bread. The Samaritan woman says to the Lord: How can you, being a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink? Jews don't touch Samaritans. The Lord answered her: if you knew the gift of God (the gift brought by Jesus Christ) and Who says to you: Give Me a drink, then you yourself would ask Him, and He would give you living water. The woman again says: Sir, you don’t have a draw, and the well is deep: where do you get living water from? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well (why do you value our water for nothing and boast about some of your water?) and drank from it yourself, and his children, and his cattle? Where can we get better than this water? The Lord points out the disadvantageous side of elemental, earthly water. Anyone, He says, who drinks this water will want to drink again; and whoever drinks of the water that I give will never be thirsty, but it will be in him a fountain of water flowing into eternal life. The woman, delighted at such an extraordinary find, says: Sir! Give me this water so that I don’t have thirst and don’t come here to draw (and it must have been quite a long way to the well). The Lord told her to go and invite her husband and then come for this water. The woman replied that she did not have a husband. The Lord denounces her, saying that she had five husbands, but a real husband is no longer a husband. She was amazed at how He knew everything, and confessed Him to be a prophet, that is, a teacher of faith sent from God. So, as if she were saying this, I believe that you are a prophet, and I am ready to listen to you. But here is a point of contention between you Jews and us. Our fathers worshiped God in this mountain, but you say that the only place where God should be worshiped is in Jerusalem. The Lord says: woman, believe Me that you will not pray in this mountain and not in Jerusalem. You do not know to whom you bow, but we know to whom, because salvation is from the Jews. But the time will soon come, and even now already exists, when true pilgrims will worship the Heavenly Father in spirit and truth, because He is looking for such and such worshipers for Himself. God is Spirit, and whoever bows to Him must bow to Him in spirit and in truth. Yes, says the woman, I know that the Messiah, called Christ, will come; when He comes, He will tell us everything. The Lord answers: I am the Messiah who speaks to you. At that moment His disciples came and were surprised that He was talking to a woman: a bad thought came to them; however, they did not ask Him: what are you looking for? or: what are you talking to her? The woman, interrupting her speech with the Savior, to Whom the disciples came and brought Him dinner, left her waterpot and went into the city, and said to the townsfolk: go see a wonderful Man, Who, not knowing me at all, told me everything that I did in life: is not He the Christ? And so the people left the city and came to Him; Meanwhile, the disciples asked Him to eat, but the Lord answered that He had food, which they did not know. The disciples talked among themselves: who brought Him food? The Lord resolved their bewilderment by saying: My meat, My food, is this: to do the will of the Father who sent Me and to complete His work (which means that the work of saving the world is the work of the Heavenly Father). Don’t you say: four more months and the harvest will come? But My harvest has already arrived: turn your eyes and look at these spiritual fields - they are completely ripe for harvest (how the Savior rejoiced in spirit, seeing the disposition of the Samaritans to accept His teaching! How pleasant this spiritual, ripe field was to Him!). And he who reaps receives his reward and gathers fruit into eternal life, so that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. It is truly said about this that there is one who sows and another who reaps. I sent you to reap where you did not labor (did not sow: the prophets prepared the Samaritans to accept the Messiah and His teachings): others labored, and you entered into their labor. As the Savior foresaw, so it was: many of the Samaritans who lived in this city believed in the Lord, convinced first by the testimony of a woman who said that He told her everything that she had done, and then, when He stayed for two days, by their own experience. 47 ff. In Capernaum, the Lord heals the son of a courtier. The son was dying. The Father said to the Savior: Lord, come, before my boy dies. The Lord says: go, your son lives. The father believed and went. When he entered the house, the servants met him and said to him: your son lives (in the same words as the Lord). He asked: at what time did he feel better? They answered him that yesterday at the seventh hour the fire left him, and he realized that it was precisely that hour when the Savior told him: your son is alive. Glory to Thy omnipotence and mercy, Lord! Chapter 5. About the healing of a thirty-eight-year-old sick man in the vestibule of the sheep's font through the command to take up his bed and walk. After the command, the sick man now became healthy: not only did he begin to walk, but he was also able to carry his bed, on which he had been lying for so long, with him and wore it for greater conviction in the truth of the miracle. Because if he had not been miraculously healed by the word of the Savior, then not only would he not have been able to carry his bed with him, but also to walk: the Savior found him lying, and the sick man himself said: I have no man who would lower me into the pool when the waters are troubled [v. 7]. So, according to the word of the Savior, the sick man not only walked himself, but also carried a bed with him in order to prove to everyone the strength of strength that had suddenly miraculously come to him and to strikingly demonstrate the Divine omnipotence of the Lord, to demonstrate the triumph of the power of God over our most inveterate infirmities. The Jews become attached to the sick man with their envious questions and say: Today is the Sabbath: you should not take your bed. The former patient answers: He who healed me said to me: take up your bed and walk. But he did not know who healed him, and could not answer the question of the Jews who asked him: who healed you? Soon the Lord found him in the church and said to him: behold, you are healthy: sin no more, lest anything worse happen to you. The Jews are seeking to kill the Lord because He does good on the Sabbath. But the Lord, seeing them, answered them: My Father is doing it hitherto, and I am doing it (that is, you say that on the Sabbath everyone must certainly be free from any work; it is true that he must be free from work, but not from everything: a good deed or a work of extreme everyday necessity, for example, untying an animal from a stall and giving it water, can be done on the Sabbath. But this law is for you - people, and not for God - My Father (He cannot be prescribed commandments - not to do on Saturday), Who is still working, and not resting in inaction, and I do the same, because the Son cannot do anything from Himself unless He sees the Father doing: for what He does, the Son also does (about the equality of the Son of God with the Father). For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything that He Himself does; and will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be surprised (here we speak about the human nature of Jesus Christ, that is, in these words: and He will show Him greater works than these [vv. 19-20]: as the Son of God, the Savior knew His Father perfectly, about all His works from the beginning: and no one knows the Father except the Son [Matthew 11:27]). What's going on? Here are these: just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to whomever he wants (this means both spiritual and bodily life). For the Father does not judge anyone, but has given all judgment to the Son, so that everyone may honor the Son as they honor the Father (equality). He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (revival and resurrection are meant primarily on the last day of the world, since further on judgment is spoken of, although judgment must be understood here at all times, done by the Son of God over people - during life). Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. How comforting! Truly, truly, I say to you, the time is coming, and has already come, when the dead (spiritually or physically) will hear the voice of the Son of God, and having heard, they will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son to have life in Himself. [Art. 21–27]. What bliss it is to have life, the cause of it in yourself, and with it the source of all its joys! And He gave Him the power to carry out judgment, because He is the Son of Man (according to His Divinity, the Savior, together with the Father, has always been and is the universal Judge, but He received judgment over people from the Father according to humanity, as their Redeemer). 28 and 29 Art. About the future resurrection. 30 tbsp. I cannot create anything on My own [glory: I cannot do anything about Myself (from Myself, by Myself). As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous; For I do not seek My will, but the will of the Father who sent Me. And you, man, do not adhere to your own will, but to the will of God. Art. 31 If I testify about Myself, then My testimony is not true. Look how fair the incarnate Truth is: She is not at all afraid that anyone will refute It. There is another who testifies of Me; and I know that the testimony which he testifies of Me is true [v. 32]. This, by the way, is where the triumph of our faith lies: the Heavenly Father, such a Witness, testified about our Head of faith throughout His entire earthly life. You, he says, sent to John to inquire about Me, who I am, and he testified to the truth of My Divine embassy. But I do not accept testimony about My embassy, ​​about My Divinity from people: this is weak testimony; but I am telling you all this, teaching you, so that you may be saved. I depend on people very little, not to say I don’t depend on them at all. Oh, if you knew that I am a King, and an eternal King, although My Kingdom is not of this world. I have in Me a testimony greater than John’s (what divine importance in the words of the Lord!): for the works that the Father gave Me to do (for example, the work of redeeming people by death on the cross and related here: the constant teaching of people the truths of the faith, accompanied by extreme love, long-suffering, meekness, humility, continuous miracles), these very works that I do, testify to Me that the Father sent Me. And the Father who sent Me Himself (with His own voice) testified about Me. But you have never heard His voice, nor seen His face [vv. 36–37]. Is the highest and strongest testimony about the Divinity of the Savior necessary? 40 tbsp. But you do not want to come to Me to have life. This can be applied to many things today. Others do not know that the Savior is the Source of life, or they know that He is the Source of life, but primarily spiritual, which they do not like. They want to live in the flesh. But natural, physical life is from Him. Where are you going from our Savior? Those who labor and are burdened with the deeds of the flesh, come to Him - and He will give you rest. 41. I don't accept glory from people. Try to behave in such a way that it is clear that you are seeking the glory of God, and not of man. 43. I have come in the name of My Father, and you do not receive Me; but if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. It’s a strange thing: people are somehow inclined to believe more in impostors than in people who have natural, God-given rights to something. This happens both in faith and in the state. This must be because impostors flatter our passions (Mohammed; our state impostors). 45[-46]. Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: you have an accuser, Moses, in whom you trust... because he wrote about Me. Here is proof of the Divine Embassy of the Savior: several thousand years before His coming, Moses wrote about Him, as if about the present. Chapter 6. Having crossed to the other side of Lake Tiberias (in Galilee), the Savior ascended the mountain and sat down here with His disciples (oh, most blessed disciples!). Having examined the space under the mountain, He saw that many people were walking towards Him. So He turns to Philip with a searching question: how can we buy bread to feed them? ABOUT! How vividly and deeply I feel my limitations at these words of the Savior. Yes, Lord, like Philip, in our own way, in our human way, I will answer You in the same way, that if you buy two hundred pennies of bread, then even then there will not be enough for each of the people to get at least a little, or like Andrew the First-Called: there is one boy here (he wanted to serve the Lord by delivering news, and the news came in handy here), who has five barley loaves and two fish - but what this means for so many people. So, Lord, in our opinion, we do not know what to do to feed so many people: there is not enough money, and five loaves and two fish are not enough to satisfy them. What do you think? “But in my opinion, here’s how: tell them to lie down.” There was a lot of grass in that place. So the people, numbering about five thousand, sat down. Jesus, taking the loaves he had bought from the boy, and having given thanks, distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those reclining, also the fish, as much as anyone wanted [v. 10–11]. They all ate and were satisfied, and they also gathered twelve baskets. Yes, Lord, in Your opinion it is like this: You are omnipotent, but in our opinion, this was impossible. Then soon Jesus walks on the sea with God-human feet. The circumstances of the miracle were as follows: after being fed with bread, in the evening, in order not to spend the night in an empty place and to move away from the people, at the command of the Lord (Matthew 14:22), the disciples went to the sea, got into a boat and began to row to the other side of the lake to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus, who had promised them, having sent the people away, to meet them on the other side, was nowhere to be seen. A strong wind blew and the sea was rough [v. 18]. But now, having rowed twenty-five or thirty furlongs from the shore, they see Him walking on the sea and suddenly finding himself near their boat - and they were afraid. The Lord reassured them: It is I: do not be afraid. They just wanted to take Him into the boat, when it found itself at the shore to which they were going. This is a miracle, that is, that the boat suddenly landed on the shore when they wanted to take the Lord into the boat - it was still far from the shore, otherwise there would be no point in taking Him into the boat. The apostles thought that He was tired from walking. Something similar, that is, an extraordinary, miraculous lightness of the body, happens to people: one holy hermit, during his prayer, was seen standing a fathom away from the ground and hanging in the air. The Lord also walked on the sea after praying on the mountain. But He can rise from the earth or walk on water at any other time, and moreover, as God, by His own and not by outside force. There were miracles with the saints from His power. The next day, the people, miraculously fed with five loaves and two fish, notice that the Lord is not with them, but knowing for sure that His disciples alone in the evening got into a boat and went to the other side of the vast lake and that there was no other boat on this side except that one, they were surprised where He had gone before their eyes. They set off in boats that came from Tiberias to look for the Lord in Capernaum across the lake and, having found Him here, they asked Him in amazement: Teacher! When did you manage to arrive here? And the Lord, without a boat and hastily, like a spirit, swept across the sea. Marvelous are Your works, O Divine Savior! I kiss your water-walking feet! The Lord convicted His plaintiffs, saying: Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw miracles, but because you ate bread and were filled. Moral teaching: Do not strive for the food that perishes (do not worry about...), but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for the Father God has set His seal on Him [vv. 26–27]. This moral teaching goes well with those selling food supplies, especially bakers, bakers, meadowsweet sellers, and butchers. 30 tbsp. The people said to Jesus: What sign will You give, so that we may see and believe You? - that is, create a sign so that we can see it and believe You. What miracles do you perform? Behold, our fathers ate in the desert wonderful bread, manna, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat [v. 31]. Can you do such signs? The Lord answers: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you (today, as He then gave manna) the true bread from heaven. He is definitely the bread of God (meaning Himself), coming down from heaven and giving life to the world (and not just to the people of Israel, like manna in the desert). The people said to Him: Lord! Always give us this bread. Jesus says: I am this bread of life: whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. Why do people hunger and thirst, and want this, and that, and that, and are never satisfied? Why does it seem to people that everything they have is not enough? Because they do not come to the Savior. But I told you, the Savior continues, that you saw Me (that is, the sign that they now impudently asked for, whereas they saw it before - in a miraculous saturation, and in this sign My God's power), and you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives Me (all people born of God, children of God) will come to Me (as the Judge of all people and the Father of the future age): and the one who comes to Me I will not cast out, because I came down from heaven not to do My will, but the Father who sent Me. But the will of My Father is such that I should not destroy everything that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day, so that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life. 41 art. The Jews complain that He called Himself bread that came down from heaven. Do we not know, they say, that He is Jesus, the Son of Joseph; we know both His father and His mother. How does He say: I came down from heaven? The Lord answers: do not murmur among yourselves: no one can come to Me, believe in Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him to Me, and I will resurrect him on the last day (he repeats several times: I will resurrect him on the last day in order to tangibly show the future resurrection). 45[-51] art. It is written in the prophets: and they will all be taught by God (now is the time), which is why you hear preachers so often. Everyone who has heard from the Father and learned comes to Me. It is not that anyone has seen the Father (don’t think so) except Him who is from God (the Son of God and the Holy Spirit); He saw the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and died; and the bread that comes down from heaven is such that whoever eats it will not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; And the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. How clear is the teaching about the necessity and reality of Christian communion under the forms of bread and wine of the true Body and Blood of Christ! Keep this in mind. 52[-55]. Then the Jews began to argue among themselves (and now many argue with their own thoughts), saying: How can He give us His flesh to eat? Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (as the last day is often repeated: which means it is certain). For My Flesh is truly food, and My Blood is truly drink [glor.: For My Flesh is truly food, and My Blood is truly beer]. The Lord compares His Flesh and Blood with our food and drink! How infinitely far the Flesh and Blood of Christ leave behind them, like spiritual food and drink - our ordinary food and drink, and how primarily the Flesh and Blood of the Lord deserve the name of human meat and beer, or food and drink! Ordinary food and drink only satiate our bodies, and then not for long: we eat several times a day; Moreover, no matter how fattening oneself is with food, one must certainly die someday: ordinary food is not strong enough to prolong a person’s life forever; it is given only for temporary nutrition and reinforcement of our elemental plant composition, just as the juices received by plants from the earth only feed them and support their life for a certain time, and plants finally disappear from time and the influence of the elements. This is not the meat and the beer that the Son of God gives us to eat: he who eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood has eternal life, just as He Himself is eternal, and will rise on the last day for this endless life. He who eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood abides in Him, and He in him. Just as the living Father sent Him, and He (the Savior) lives for the Father’s sake, so whoever eats Him will live for His sake. 60 tbsp. Many of His disciples, having heard this, said: What strange words! who can listen to this? Having learned about this with His Divine omniscience, the Lord says to them: is this tempting you? What if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before—to heaven to His Father? Will you even believe then that I am like living bread that came down from heaven? The Spirit gives life (that is, My teaching is spiritual, and not carnal, not about carnal things), but the flesh does not benefit in the least (if My teaching were carnal, about carnal things, it would not bring any benefit): the words that I spoke are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe them. It would be good to always read this chapter before mass. Many of the disciples, seduced by such teachings of the Savior, stopped following Him. It was bitter for the Lord; In this sorrow, He reproachfully said to His twelve disciples: Do you also want to leave Me? (This can be said to some shepherds who, if not with their lips, then with their deeds sometimes say: what strange words! Who can listen to this? That’s why they go backwards and do not follow Him, that is, they allow themselves everything.) Don’t you want to leave too? Simon Peter answers: Lord! Who should we go to? You have the word of eternal life! Will we go to the world, to people? But what will we find among them other than vanity and decay? None of them will say what You say and the way You say. We have never felt such sweetness of words before, ever. We believed and knew that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Chapter 7, [Article 4]. No one does anything in secret and seeks to be known. He who hides from human gaze probably does not want to be seen. Secret virtue. The Savior’s brothers said to Him: it’s time for You to show Yourself to the world. Lord: the time for this has not yet come. My time: for you there is always time, it is always time. So sometimes short-sighted people say to smart people who act very deliberately: it’s time for you to do this and that. But they must answer the same as the Savior. Divine wisdom knows when to do what. 7 tbsp. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify about it that its deeds are evil. When you don’t touch human passions or people living in the lusts of the world, then they are calm in relation to us, and when you touch them, then they begin to roar, foam and rise towards us like the waves of the sea. So the world does not love us very much, because we testify that its deeds are evil. 12 tbsp. Some said that He was good; and others said: no, but he deceives the people. So now there are different rumors about a virtuous person: some say that he is a good, straightforward person, sincerely devoted to virtue; and others say: no, it’s not true: he deceives the people with a feigned appearance of virtue. 23[-24] art. If a person receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with Me because I healed the whole person on the Sabbath? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment. There are people who use the severity of the law as a means to gain dominance over others, taking advantage of its ambiguity. 46 art. Never has a man spoken like This Man. This is what the servants of the bishops and Pharisees (that is, the infants of Christ) spoke. And these: have you also been deceived? Did any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believe in Him? But this people are ignorant of the law, they are cursed [vv.47-49]. Do you know the law well, that then, as it is written everywhere about Jesus Christ, you did not know this and did not believe in the coming Messiah, about whom Moses, the prophets and the psalms wrote? You do not know exactly the law: therefore, in justice, you, and not they, are cursed. Chapter 8. One morning the Lord came to the temple of Jerusalem; the people flocked to Him in great numbers. The Savior sat down and began to teach him. In order to have something to say against Him, to find something to do with Him, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him and exposed among the people a woman caught in adultery; and in the Old Testament, the law ordered adulterers to be stoned. So they ask Him: Moses ordered to stone such people, but what do you say? For some reason you love to forgive people’s sins: won’t you forgive her too? – this was their secret thought. But if you let go, then you will be in conflict with Moses, and we will have something to say against you, we will convict you. If you order her to be stoned, then they will have reason to reproach you for cruelty - and for him who is known among the people as the Merciful, this will be a blow. But it is more likely that You forgive her - then You are in our hands. Do what you find best. What about the Lord? See with what triumph He passes the ambush. While they were asking about His judgment over the woman, He bent down and wrote on the ground with a finger, not paying attention to them. Perhaps He was thinking at that time about the malice of the scribes and Pharisees both in relation to Him and to the woman, but at the same time about their blindness, due to which they see only the sins of others and do not notice their own. The following words of His answer show that He certainly thought about this. Meanwhile, the scribes and Pharisees persistently demanded His judgment over the woman. The Lord straightened up and said to them: He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first. After that, he bent down again and began to write on the floor to give them the opportunity to quietly get away, because at that time their consciences began to convict them of their own sins so much that they began to go out one by one, from the eldest to the last, so that finally only Jesus and the woman remained. The Lord straightened up again and said to her: Where are your informers? Has anyone judged you? Because they themselves are to blame? No, she answered. Lord: and I do not condemn you: go and from now on sin no more. And now people often expose the weaknesses of others, asking for our judgment on them. But how often should they answer the same as the Savior did to the scribes and Pharisees: whoever among you is without sin, let him be the first to judge him. 12. I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Yes, Lord, You are the true Light, enlightening every person coming into the world. 23 art. You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Yes, we are earthly and from the earth; and You are Heavenly - from heaven, or, better: You are Omnipresent. 47 art. He who is from God listens to the words of God. The reason you don't listen is because you are not from God. Whoever loves to read or listen to the word of God, in general, to engage in it, is truly from God, loves Him and has an eternal life; and whoever does not like to read or listen is not from God. This is the exact idea of ​​the text. Art. 51 Whoever keeps My word will never see death. How not to try with all your might to fulfill the word of God for the sake of one such promise! But there is another motivation for fulfillment: the word of God is sweeter than honey and drops of honeycomb [Ps. 18:11] and is the light of our paths. 52[-54] Art. Abraham died and the prophets, and You say: whoever keeps My word will never taste death. Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: what are you doing? Jesus answered: If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. I, as if the Savior says so, am greater than Abraham and the prophets: and this is completely fair, and is not exaltation or boasting, because I do not attribute such glory to Myself, not arbitrarily, but My Father glorifies Me; I am His Only Begotten Son and therefore greater than only Abraham and all the prophets, but also every creature in heaven and earth. My Father glorifies Me, of whom you say that He is your God... Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day; and he saw and rejoiced. To this the Jews said to Him: You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am [vv.54–58]. What blindness, narrow-mindedness, and anger are visible in the questions and objections of the Jews, and what a bright, Divine mind is visible in the Lord’s answers! What sedateness, firmness, important calm and good nature in the answers! Chapter 9. About the man born blind. 4 [-5] art. I must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night comes when no one can do anything. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Having said this, He spat on the ground and made clay from the saliva and anointed the eyes of the blind man, saying to him: Go wash in the pool of Siloamlei, which he did, and he received his sight. The light of the spiritual, angelic and human world, as well as the immaterial, was in the earthly world, but not many wanted to recognize the light of the world in Him, because their deeds were evil. 39 art. I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see (with carnal eyes and those who do not see with spiritual eyes out of ignorance, and not out of stubbornness) would see, and those who see (scientists, lawyers) would become blind (due to their corruption, hard-heartedness and pride). Chapter 10, art. 2 ff. He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens for him, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out. And when he has brought out his sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. They don’t follow a stranger, but run from him, because they don’t know someone else’s voice. How divine this is! People, as the Psalmist says, are sheep of God's pasture. When their Lord and Master came, the sheep recognized their Master, just as ordinary sheep know their master; and you cannot deceive dumb sheep - to follow a stranger as if they were their master, and they sense, so to speak, their benefactor, they know the hands that feed them, the caressing gaze, the feet that care for them. Moreover, you cannot be fooled into following a mercenary as a shepherd of verbal sheep: their souls understand the loving soul of a good shepherd, as well as the cunning, greedy and self-seeking soul of mercenaries; That’s why the sheep follow the good shepherd, because they know his voice, that is, they know by his voice that it is him; They don’t follow a stranger, but run from him, because they don’t know someone else’s voice. The Lord entered the sheepfold through the doors, that is, through the legal route. The good sheep of His flock always hear the voice of the Lord in His Gospel with pleasure and joy. He calls His sheep by name (those who call them hear it, feel it), that is, everyone is known to Him, because He provides for them all, drives them all out to His pasture. And when He drives His sheep out to pasture, He walks ahead of them, so that, looking at Him, they do not get lost and boldly follow Him. And they really follow Him, because they know His voice. 10. I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. We believe, Divine Savior: otherwise why would You endure all the dirty tricks on Yourself from people until death on the cross? You laid Your soul behind our belly: how can we not believe that You came to us so that we could have a belly? But a hireling, not a shepherd, whose sheep are not his own, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and runs; and the wolf plunders the sheep and scatters them. But the hireling flees because he is a hireling, and neglects the sheep [vv. 12–13]. The hireling leaves his sheep at every step: with his zeal for their spiritual and physical benefits, with his prayer, with his teaching and edification. 25[-30] art. The works that I do in the name of My Father, they testify of Me (for I am Christ). But you do not believe, for you are not of My sheep... My sheep obey My voice, and I know them; and they follow Me [glory: according to Me]. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; and no one will snatch [glory: snatch] them out of My hand. My Father, who gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them out of the hand of My Father. I and the Father are one. We believe in You, Lord: grant us eternal life, but first teach us to follow You! It is good for us to fall into Thy hands: no one would snatch us away from the depths of Thy love forever and ever. 36[-38] art. Do you say to him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world: You are blaspheming, because I said: I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of My Father, do not believe Me; and if I do, then when you do not believe Me, believe My works, so that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me and I in Him. Could the truth be expressed more strikingly and powerfully? Chapter 11.5. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. The Lord honored this family with His special favor, which was distinguished by piety, good nature and zeal for the Heavenly Guest. Although Martha, as can be seen from another evangelist, was more concerned about everyday affairs (Martha! Martha! you worry and fuss about many things [Luke 10:41]), the Lord loved her too, and even the holy evangelist John says about her only by name that Jesus loved Martha. Probably the Lord does not reject our Marthas either. 15. I rejoice for you that I was not there, so that you might believe; but let's go to him. If the Savior had been with the sick Lazarus, he would not have died, as his sisters said: Lord! If You had been here, my brother would not have died [v.21]. The Life-Giving One would have healed him now, should have healed him as a friend. But the miracle would not be so great, even, one might say, a small miracle in comparison with the resurrection of a four-day-old, stinking corpse: with the resurrection of such a dead man from nothing, life was again granted to the deceased by clearly omnipotent power, and when he was only unwell, then only the correct course of life that still remained in the patient should have been given. This is the greatest miracle of the Lord. It assures us in the most striking, tangible way of the future resurrection of the dead. 25[-27] Art. I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Ah, what a comforting truth! Is it really true that I will not die forever and that my physical death is only a momentary transition from temporary to eternal life? Yes, the truth is undeniable: the Truth itself speaks about this. Do you believe this? - She asks you. Answer Her with heartfelt, living faith: Yes, Lord! I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, coming into the world. 33 and 34. The Lord, seeing Mary, another sister of Lazarus, come in tears and the Jews who came with her, also crying, Himself was saddened in spirit and indignant. And he said: where did you put it? They told him: come and see. Jesus shed tears. It is so true and certain that the God-man Jesus was tempted in his likeness, in all sorts of ways, except sin. So the Lord came to the tomb, or cave, on which the stone lay. The Lord commanded to take the stone; he was taken. Lifting His eyes to heaven and giving praise to His Father, the Giver of Life says: Lazarus! get out. The dead man came to life and came out in all his burial shrouds. The Lord ordered him to be untied and left to go on his own. Triumph, Christian, with the Leader of your faith: His triumph is also yours. And you will also one day be resurrected according to His word. Chapter 12, 24 [-25] art. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; and if it dies, it will bear much fruit. He who loves his soul (that is, who takes care of himself and does not want to sacrifice himself for the benefit of others) will destroy it (that is, himself in general); But he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. You must hate your sinful soul for its sins, passions, bad inclinations and spare nothing in order to instill in it virtue and divine zeal for faith. Whoever serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there will my servant also be. And whoever serves Me, My Father will honor him [v.26]. Blessed, unspeakably blessed is the man whom the Heavenly Father honors for his zealous service to His Son. 32. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Me. Indeed, by His death on the cross the Lord attracted countless believers from all nations, all countries and centuries. This is because then He earned, so to speak, from the justice of God the full right to communicate to people the omnipotent grace of the Spirit of God, drawing us, without, however, violating our freedom, to the Son of God. 44[-50] Art. He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who Sent Me (unity of essence). I have come as light into the world, so that whoever believes in Me will not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him, for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not accept My words has a judge for himself: the word that I have spoken will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak from Myself; but the Father who sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what to say and what to say. And I know that His commandment is eternal life (that is, He sent Me not to deceive you, but for your eternal life He sent Me). So what I say, I say as the Father told me. What thoroughness, unearthly wisdom! Human! The Word contained in this Gospel will judge you on the last day. Reverence him and obey his commands and advice. The Lord Himself, having come to earth for our salvation, did everything for us from His side: His word was the power of God, which attracted sensible people, not darkened by passions, to salvation to the Lord Jesus. If many people who heard the words of the Savior, because of their malice and their passions, did not believe Him, this very, most convincing Divine word will judge them, and not the Lord, because He came not to judge the world, but to save it. Chapter 13, 14[-15]. So, if I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, then you should wash each other’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do the same as I have done to you. Thus, we are to love one another and serve one another in our mutual needs. And the higher one is, the more one must serve the benefit of others. 32 art. If God was glorified in Him, then God will glorify Him in Himself, and will soon glorify Him. This glory of God awaits everyone who zealously cares in this life for the glorification of the name of God in word and deed and with their whole life. God does not remain in debt to His zealous servants. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another [v.35]. Who here does not see the words of the Son of the Father’s love? Chapter 14, [vv.1–2]. Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, and believe in Me (equality with the Father). In My Father's house there are many mansions. Do not be embarrassed by these difficult circumstances for you: believe only in God and in Me. They will persecute you in this sinful world after Me, lead you to judgment, call you to prison, kill you - but do not be embarrassed: if you leave this world, which is so unfavorable for you, the Father and I will accept you into another, better, heavenly world, into the house of My Father: there are many mansions there, you will not be cramped there as here. 6[-7] art. I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me... and you know Him and have seen Him (the Father in Me). 9. He who has seen Me has seen the Father. 10. I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. The words that I speak to you, I do not speak from Myself; The Father abiding in Me, He does the works. 12. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me will do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do, because I go to My Father. What power is given to the followers of the Lord! 13th century And if you ask the Father anything in My name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ask yourself for benefits from God without fail in the name of His Only Begotten Son, who has earned from His Father the right to give us, the unworthy, the benefits we ask for. 15. If you love Me, keep My commandments. Try to carefully fulfill the will of your Redeemer. 18th and 19th Art. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (after the resurrection from the dead). A little more, and the world will no longer see Me (unworthy, he could not use the happiness of well-intentioned seeing Him and hearing His teaching, for which he will no longer see Him after the resurrection as punishment for not believing in Him before the resurrection); and you will see Me, for I live, and you will live. That is: although I will die, it will not be for long: in three days I will rise again. Yes, as God, I am always alive, and you will also live, even though you die. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you [v.20]. That is, when you see Me after the resurrection, or when you move from this life to the eternal villages. 27[-28] art. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you: I am leaving you and will come to you. If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I said: I am going to the Father; for My Father is greater than Me. What love, the most tender, holy! Chapter 15, [Art. 1–2]. I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of Me that does not bear fruit He cuts off; and every one that bears fruit he cleanses, that it may bear more fruit. 4[-6] art. Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it is in the vine, so neither can you unless you are in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches; He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in Me will be cast out like a branch and wither; and such branches are collected and thrown into the fire (the Angels will gather sinners at the end of the world and throw them into the fire), and they burn. What a most clear, easy-to-understand teaching! How obvious is the need to believe in Jesus Christ and follow in His footsteps! 7 tbsp. If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Follow the commandments of Jesus Christ, and then ask what you want, and it will be done for you. 12[-15] art. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I have heard from My Father. Yes, no one can have more love than Jesus Christ: out of love for us, He laid down His soul for us in order to deliver us from eternal death. His loving heart did not allow us to perish forever: He Himself wanted to die for a few days in order to save us from eternal death. Every word of His is love: He, the Creator of the whole world, calls His servants friends for fulfilling His commandments, the fulfillment of which does not benefit Him, but benefits us. 18 [-24] art. If the world hates you, know that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; And since you are not of the world, but I chose you from the world (removed, separated, excommunicated), therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you too; If they kept My word, they will also keep yours... If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin. From this it is clear that the Savior is the Son of God, that He did many things that none of the other former miracle workers had done: He walked on the waters, rebuked the winds and the sea, raised the dead with one word, etc. How strong and extremely thorough is the consolation of the Savior with which He [comforted] His disciples! This is the last conversation of a tenderly loving Father with His beloved children. Chapter 16, 20[-22] art. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman gives birth, she suffers sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to a baby, she no longer remembers the sorrow for joy, because a man was born into the world. So now you also have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. And so it happens now: virtue is in tears, and the world rejoices: it has all the fun and no grief. But be comforted, sad virtue: your sorrow will turn into joy. 28 Art. I came from the Father and came into the world; and again I leave the world and go to the Father (the sentences here are arranged like members of a geometric proportion: what abrupt, but at the same time correct and strong speech!). The Word of God, Creator of the World! We believe with all our hearts that You came to us from the Father’s Divine bosom, sinners and ungrateful people, without leaving the bosom of Your Father, accomplished our salvation in an amazing way for Angels and men, and again left us, ascending into heaven and receiving that glory that You had with the Father before the world was [Jn. 17.5]. Glory to Your condescension, O Lover of Mankind! 33 art. I have spoken these things to you, so that in Me you may have peace. The Lord Savior is our peace, our heart, our soul. Never lag behind Him. In the world you will have tribulation (people will subject you to various sufferings): but take heart: I have overcome the world. I defeated him, weakened him, and I will make you conquerors. Don't be afraid of him. This is a momentary fire. Chapter 17, 3[-6]. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I glorified You on earth, I accomplished the work that You entrusted Me with. And now glorify Me, O Father, with You, with the glory that I had with You before the world was. I have revealed Your name to the people whom You gave Me out of the world; They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. See how the glorification of Jesus Christ to God the Father is now followed by His own glorification through humanity. I glorified You... And now glorify Me You... The Lord Savior revealed the name of God the Father to those people whom God the Father gave Him from the world, that is, only the elect believed with their hearts in God, who, by their good dispositions, were worthy to recognize God and His ambassador - Jesus Christ, and learned that everything that the Father gave Him is from the Father. 10[-12] art. And all that is mine is yours, and yours is mine; and I was glorified in them. I am no longer in the world (the Lord foresaw that He would soon no longer be in this world), but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father! keep them in Your name, those whom You have given Me, so that they may be one, just as We are. When I was at peace with them, I kept them in Thy name; Those whom You gave Me I have kept, and none of them perished except the son of perdition. These words can also be applied to today's pious Christians. Imagine that our Savior says the same thing about them to His Father: how comforting that is! But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever [Heb. 13.8]. Can it really be that the Lord still does not watch over us in the name of His Father and does not protect us in the same way as He did the disciples, so that none of us perish, except the sons of destruction, who build their own destruction! 14th century I have given them Your word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. It’s a strange thing: the Lord Jesus gave His disciples His word to carry it among the people, and the world hated them for the word of truth, because they did not indulge His passions. 16th century They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Oh, if in our time there were more such people about whom one could say: not of the world, like Christ, His kingdom is not of this world! What a delightful picture the world would present! The Heavenly Father, the Son of Love and the All-Holy Spirit would then look upon our world with benevolence, and no disasters, no manifestations of God’s wrath would be visible on earth. The angels would applaud the earth-born from above. 18[-21] art. As You sent Me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And for them I dedicate [glory: I will consecrate (I sacrifice)] Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in Me according to their word (about us), that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, so that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The Lord sent apostles into the world, and the apostles sent bishops; bishops - us; So, our embassy also goes back to the Father. The Lord prays to His Father and for us, that we may be one with each other in love and in thoughts. 22[-24]. And the glory (both of the next century and the present: the apostles shone and shine to this day with miracles, even their chains), which You gave Me, I gave them: that they may be one, as We are one. I am in them, and You are in Me; that they may be perfect in one, and that the world may know (from this love, unity) that You sent Me and loved them as You loved Me. Father! whom You have given Me, I want them to be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world... 26. And I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. Who does not see that these are the words of God in the flesh. What a touching prayer, imbued with such love! And the Heavenly Father, Love in His very being, did not He hear the prayers of His Only Begotten Son? I heard every word with love. Chapter 18, 6 art. And when he said to them, “It is I,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Such is the power in the words of the Divine Jesus! Oh, Thy free condescension, Jesus! How have You humbled Yourself, O God Almighty! You could destroy all Your enemies with one word, but You endure everything for our sake, so that we, ungrateful and malicious, will not be condemned to eternal torment. 8 tbsp. If you are looking for Me, leave them (My disciples), let them go: do not touch them - they have done nothing to you. And this circumstance was predicted by Himself: those whom You gave Me, I did not destroy anyone through them (John 17:6, 12). Having tied the Lord, they took him to the house of Bishop Anna. Simon Peter and John the Evangelist followed Jesus. Since Saint John was known to the bishop, he entered the very house behind Jesus (imagine this turmoil, the frenzy of the spirit 16 and the servants). [And] Peter, as he was not familiar, did not dare to enter the house, but stood on the street, at the door. Here Saint John, who was watching his (dearest) sweetest Teacher, noticing that Peter was not there, went out into the hallway and told the maid to let Peter in. Having let him in, she asked him: aren’t you this Man’s disciple? Peter denied for the first time. In the cold hallway stood the slaves and servants of the bishops and Pharisees and, having lit a fire, warmed themselves; Peter also stood and warmed himself with them. The bishop at this time asked the Lord about His disciples and about the teaching. The Lord answered him as a righteous man. Peter, meanwhile, stood and warmed himself. They asked him again: “Are you not one of His disciples?” He unlocked it again. Then one of the bishop’s servants persistently pestered him, saying: “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Jesus?” [Peter unlocked the door]. And the rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered his words and the Lord - and, going out, he wept bitterly. Thus, love for the Lord wounded his heart, which rejected his beloved Teacher at critical moments. A wonderful thing: with all their malice and fury, the Jews do no more with the Lord than what was predicted in the Old Testament or by Himself. Pilate says to the Jews: Take him and judge him according to your law. And they answer: we are not allowed to put anyone to death [v. 31]. Why? - that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spoke, indicating by what kind of death He would die [v. 32]. And they will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and beaten and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again (Matthew 20:19). So, the Lord had to be handed over to the pagans to be mocked and beaten and crucified, and to rise on the third day. The Jews were only pitiful instruments of the will of God, but at the same time they were also worthy instruments of their malice and corruption. 36 art. My kingdom is not of this world; If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would fight for Me, so that I would not be betrayed to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here. So, Lord: these blind men thought that You wanted to be an earthly king, but they were mistaken. You were the eternal King; You had royal glory with Your Father before the world was [Jn. 17.5]. 37 art. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I came into the world, to testify to the truth. And you imitate your Lord: testify to the truth everywhere and at every opportunity. Chapter 19, 28 Art. Jesus, knowing that everything has already been accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled (Ps. 68:22), says: I thirst. They gave him alcohol to drink. Thus it was with Jesus according to the Scriptures; They even gave Him milk to drink during His thirst just because it was predicted. So exactly everything was predetermined by God. Who does not learn from here that the Savior is the promised Reconciler ([...]) of God with men, that He is the Son of God? Who does not see that the Eternal, Almighty Being has previously ordained the whole plan of the great work of our redemption? 34 and 37 art. The Lord’s legs were not broken on the cross, but one soldier pierced His ribs with a spear, also because this was predicted (Numbers 9:12, also Exodus 12:46). Let not His bone be broken, and let them look upon Him whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:10). Chapter 20. On the first day after Saturday, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb; it was still dark, although it was already beginning to get light. He comes and sees that the stone was taken from the entrance of the cave in which the body of the Lord lay. He tells Peter and John about this, adding that the body was taken by someone and was placed in an unknown location. The disciples go to the tomb in bewilderment. John walked faster than Peter and preceded him somewhat by arriving at the tomb, leaned into it and saw only the clothes lying, but did not enter the tomb itself. Peter came after him and entered the tomb and saw the same thing; only he noticed the sir who was on the Savior’s head, not together with his clothes, but especially twisted in one place. Then John also entered and believed, because they did not yet know the Scripture that the Lord must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went to their place. Meanwhile, Mary stood outside the tomb and wept; So she leaned into the tomb in tears and saw two Angels sitting in white robes: one at the heads, and the other at the opposite end of the tomb in which the body of Jesus lay. They asked her what she was crying about and what she was looking for. She replies that they took her Lord and that she does not know where those who took him away laid him. Then the Lord Himself answers her by His appearance. Mary comes to the Lord's disciples and tells them that she herself saw the Lord and about her conversation with Him. Late in the evening on the day of His glorious resurrection, the Lord appears in the meeting of His disciples with the doors of the house locked, where they were all out of fear of the Jews and talking about real wondrous adventures - he stops among them and says to them: peace be with you. With these words He showed them His hands and feet and His ribs. What is more convincing! The disciples rejoiced when they saw their sweet, loving Lord again. Again Jesus said to them: Peace be with you! just as the Father sent Me, so I send you. Having said this, He blew and added: Receive the Holy Spirit. The sins of whom you forgive, they will be forgiven, and those whose sins you retain, will be retained. I made a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, redeemed everyone with My Blood from curse and death. Therefore, I convey to you, My friends and shepherds of My verbal sheep, the right I acquired: to forgive or retain sins. I bore upon myself for sinners all the arrows of God’s wrath; for the sake of My merits people are now forgiven; but as I, the sinless God, suffered for them, then this right belongs to Me, acquired from the righteous Father: whomever I want to forgive, I will forgive, but whoever does not deserve forgiveness, whoever crucifies Me second, whoever considers the Blood of the Testament to be unclean, whoever is an unrepentant sinner, I do not forgive. Proceed as you please. About Thomas the Unbeliever. Chapter 21. The Lord appears at Lake Tiberias to His seven disciples. Simon Peter needed to take up his former, favorite craft - fishing, and he said to the others: I will go fishing. They also agreed to try their luck: they went, got into the boat, worked all night and didn’t catch anything this time. Morning found them still in the boats. Suddenly they hear a voice from the shore: children! Do you have anything edible? (What concern the Father has for the children! He knows that they have nothing, and, as the Lord of land and sea, he got them breakfast from the sea.) They answered: no. The Lord said to them: cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will catch it. They abandoned it - so what? They could no longer pull it out because of the multitude of fish. Saint John says to Peter: This is the Lord. Peter, hearing that it was the Lord, girded himself with clothes, since he was naked (what simplicity and innocence: such were people before the fall), and threw himself into the sea. And the other disciples came by boat to the shore, because they were no more than two hundred cubits from the land, dragging a net full of fish. Coming ashore, they saw a fire laid out, fish on it and bread on the ground: probably the Lord had prepared all this. The Savior said: Bring the fish you caught today. Peter entered the boat, pulled the net to the ground and counted one hundred and fifty-three large fish. The disciples were surprised how, with such a multitude, the network did not break through, and besides, it was probably dilapidated. The Lord invited me to dinner. No one dared to ask such a wonderful Guest: Who are you? – truly knowing that this is the Miracle-Working Lord. So He came up, took the bread and gave it to them, as well as the fish. Most tender Jesus! How happy Your children, the apostles, were now with You! What about the world? He didn't even know about it now. You decided not to appear to him after the resurrection for a long time. This was the third time the Lord appeared to His disciples, having risen from the dead. During this dinner, the Lord asks Peter three times whether Peter loves Him, and receives threefold assurance of his love for Himself; and instructs him to shepherd His intelligent sheep, which requires ardent love for the Lord, and then predicts for him the type of death - on the cross. Having said this, the Lord said to Peter: follow me. Peter, turning, noticed John and said to the Lord, as it were: Behold, You are predicting for me the type of my death, but what will You say to this? The Lord answers: if I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you: you follow Me. And then the rumor spread among the disciples that Saint John would not die, although the Lord did not tell him that he would not die, but only said: if I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you: you follow Me. The apostles misunderstood the Lord’s words. Ah, children! How narrow-minded they were then! The end and glory to the all-good God. January 26, 1857. Sadness is care, concern. To torment - to tame, to render powerless. Sonmische - 1) a place where people gather; 2) synagogue (Luke 7:5). Get out on the path and khalugi (glory) - go along the roads and hedges (Russian). Orati - to plow, to cultivate the land. But I, Paul, who is modest among you personally, but bold against you in absentia, convince you by the meekness and condescension of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1). Saving in the treasury (Greek). To take revenge means to fairly punish, to repay an offense, to restore justice. Russian translation in the Gospel: protect me from my rival (Luke 18:3). You might be interested in: