Благодеяние

Give something to God in gratitude for the fact that you are not among those who need benefits, but among those who can provide benefits, that it is not you who look into the hands of others, but others into yours (1). God created man and again raises him from corruption, and you, at least, do not despise the fallen. God showed man the greatest mercy when he gave him, among other things, the law, the prophets, and even before that the natural law - unwritten, this tester of our deeds, when he rebuked, admonished, guided people and, finally, gave himself as a sacrifice for the atonement of many, for the life of the world (see Matt. 20:28; John 6:51); when he gave us apostles, evangelists, teachers, shepherds, healings, miracles, restoration to life, destruction of death, a sign of victory over him who conquered us, the covenant of the shadow and the covenant of truth, various gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Sacrament of a new salvation. And you, if you can provide the highest benefits that benefit the soul (since God will give you this wealth too, if you so desire), do not refuse to serve someone in need, or better yet, then show benefits first of all and most of all to those who ask you, without even waiting for his request; showing mercy and lending every day (see Ps. 36:26) word and unforgivingly collecting the debt with interest, that is, with an increase in edification in the one who used it - the interest that is always added to the accepted word by one who little by little increases the seeds of piety in himself. If you cannot serve your neighbor with this, then provide him with at least smaller benefits that take second place and do not exceed your strength. Help him, get food, give him rags, bring medicine, bandage his wounds, ask about his plight, talk about patience; dare, come (1). It is equally difficult to acquire a benefit that we do not have, and, having acquired it, to preserve it. Often what is acquired with diligence is lost through negligence, and what is carelessly destroyed is returned through diligence. To get what you want, you have very good aids: vigils, fasts, reclining on bare ground, prayers, tears, mercy for the poor, almsgiving. Let this be both an offering of thanks for the benefits you have received, and at the same time a protective means. Does a good deed serve as a reminder of many commandments for you? Don't transgress them. Has a beggar come? Remember how poor you were and how rich you became! Is he asking you for bread or drink, or perhaps another Lazarus lies at your gate? Be ashamed of the mysterious meal that you began, the bread that you tasted, the cup that you partook of, sanctified by Christ’s suffering. Has a stranger come to you, having no home, coming from afar? Accept in his person one who became a stranger for your sake, even a stranger among His own, who settled within you with grace and drew you to a heavenly dwelling. Be Zacchaeus, who yesterday was a publican, and now has become generous: bring everything as a gift to the coming of Christ, so that you may be great, it is good to see Christ, although you are small in physical age. Lying sick and ulcerated? Be ashamed of your health and those ulcers from which Christ delivered you. If you see a naked person, put it on out of respect for your robe of incorruptibility, that is, for Christ, because all who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). If you meet a falling debtor, tear apart every scripture, righteous and unrighteous (Isa. 58:6). Remember the thousands of talents that Christ forgave you. Don’t be a cruel torturer for a smaller debt, and for whom? - For slaves like you, when the Lord has forgiven you a greater debt; Be afraid lest you be punished for His love for mankind, which was given to you as an example and which you did not imitate (1). You might be interested in: