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Let us bring gifts to the one who suffered for us and rose again. Perhaps you think that I am talking about gold or silver, or fabrics, or transparent and precious stones. This is an earthly substance, transitory and remaining on earth, which the evil ones always have more of - the slaves of the earth, the slaves of the ruler of the world. No, let us offer ourselves - the most precious acquisition before God and most characteristic of Him, let us render to the Image what was created in the image, we recognize our dignity, we honor the Archetype (1). Hear what the Savior says: Arise, let us go from here (John 14:31), - he says not only to the disciples of that time, whom he is leading from Judea, but also to all those who follow, in order to resettle everyone from here and attract the ascended One to Himself (see John 12:32) according to the promise. Let's follow the good Master, let's run away from worldly lusts, let's run away from the deceptive world and the ruler of the world, let's devote ourselves entirely to the Creator, honor the image of God, respect the title, change our lives. Why do we humiliate ourselves when we are tall? Why do we dwell on the visible? Let everyone, at every time, under every lifestyle and circumstances, to the extent of his own strength and to the extent of the grace given to him, bring to God the fruit that he can, so that with virtues of every measure we can fill all the heavenly abodes, reaping as much as we have sown, or, better said, investing as much in God’s granaries as we have cultivated. Let them bring gifts - some wealth, some poverty; some are zeal for one's neighbor, and some are willing to accept what is offered through zeal; some are commendable deeds, and some are profound observations; some are a timely word, and some are a prudent silence; who has a teaching that does not cause offense and a life that does not contradict it, and who has an obedient and submissive ear; some are pure virginity, completely separating from the world, and some are honest marriage, not completely separating from God; some abstinence without arrogance, and some consumption without lust; one is an unentertaining exercise in prayers and spiritual songs, the other is a careful defense of those in need of help. Yet let them bring tears, cleansing from sins, ascension and the effort to stretch forward. Simplicity, and chaste laughter, and curbed anger, and an eye restrained from disorder, and a mind that is not allowed to become absent-minded, will bear fruit beautifully. No matter how unimportant what is offered to God may be and no matter how far it may be from perfection, it is not so small that God does not find it pleasing and does not accept it at all, although he weighs mercy with a righteous judgment. And He accepts Paul’s planting as Paul’s; accepts the drink of Apollos, and the widow’s two mites, and the publican’s humility, and the confession of Manasseh. When Mine and the wives) - some are gold, others are silver and expensive stones for the robe, others are fine linen and scarlet wool; some are scarlet 47, red skins of rams, others are the worst, goat's hair (see Exodus chapters 25 and 35); each and every one that they had at that time, they all brought to the work of the tabernacle, and not one of the poorest appeared without an offering. So we too, into God’s honorable tabernacle of this Church, which the Lord, and not man, erected (Heb. 8:2), into a tabernacle built from various ornaments of virtue, although one is less and the other is greater, we will all contribute equally, in the building of the Spirit, put together and combined into a perfect work, into the dwelling of Christ, into the holy church. Without a doubt, we will not contribute as much as we received, although we will contribute everything. For it is also from God that we exist, know God, and have something to contribute. But what is most beautiful and most humane is that God measures alms not by the merit of what is given, but by the strength and disposition of the fruit-bearer. So, do not hesitate to become generous, but be one now, and for lack of something worthy, do not refuse everything. On the contrary, bring in one thing, wish to bring in another, and pray for another, so that God will grant forgiveness of weakness. He says: Let them not come before Me empty-handed (Ex. 23:15). Let no one be skinny and barren, let no soul be deprived of fertility and childbearing. Let everyone bear fruit to God, what he has and is his property: the sinner - correction, the one who performs a good deed - steadfastness, the young - abstinence, the gray hair - prudence, the rich - generosity, the poor - gratitude, the ruler - modesty, the judge - meekness. The priests will be clothed (or, more correctly, we will be clothed) with righteousness (Ps. 131:9). Let us not waste the sheep of our pasture, let us not destroy those for whom the Good Shepherd laid down his soul, who knows His own and His own know Him, and calls them by name (John 10:3), leads the sheep and leads them from unbelief to faith, from present life to future rest. Let us be afraid that, in fulfillment of the threat, judgment will begin against us (see 1 Pet. 4:17) and we cannot accept from the hand of the Lord double for all our sins (Isa. 40:2), because we ourselves do not enter and hinder those who may enter (1). It is fair and holy that true lovers of children should bring as a gift to God, from Whom we ourselves and all ours are, like the firstfruits, the threshing floor, the grindstone, and the children themselves, as well as new inheritances 48 so that the part brought diligently as a gift will bring the rest to safety. Therefore, do not allow your mercy to reach us after everyone else, but first of all, be zealous for God, and through Him for everyone; and, having rejected worldly laws, enslave yourself to our laws, bearing fruit from yourself with zeal. For, although what is left behind by others is offered, we will accept zeal from you, and God will reward you many times more than what you give now, not only in this temporary and transitory life, but also in the eternal and permanent life, which alone is to be kept in mind and to which to direct all one’s hopes is a safe thing. Since God will be the same towards you as you yourself will be towards the poor, then without petty calculations and stinginess, but with all generosity and zeal, fulfill the will of the deceased. Imagining that she is with you and sees your deeds, reassure her with your generosity so that you receive from her not only property, but also a mother’s blessing that establishes children’s homes. Having considered that, according to what is written, a small share with righteousness is better than a huge share with avarice (see Sir. 14:3) - just not to say anything offensive - and that many did not prevent entire houses from being donated to the Church, while others sacrificed all their property from themselves and made this wonderful exchange - they became beggars for the sake of the wealth there - sow not scantily so that you can reap richly (see 2 Cor. 9:6 ); but bring this good inheritance as a gift to yourself and to those whom you love most, not subtracting anything from what was written in the will, but giving it away with pleasure and with a bright face, or, better said, returning everything to God as his property and acquiring for yourself that one thing that may have been spent for your souls. For why collect for robbers and thieves, for the vicissitudes of time, which from one to another transfers and transfers fickle wealth, and not invest your property in safe treasuries, inaccessible to those who are malicious? In others and for others, show your frugality (for I would like you to be powerful with your kindness), but for us, fight the good fight, that is, let one overcome the other with reverence and blessings that God gives to those who are grateful. So, assure us that you are sincere Christians. It is better to say, having laid a wonderful, so pious and righteous beginning, agree with it and everything else, so that you and we may rejoice in each other, both for other reasons, and because by your gratitude in this you have shown a good example for the whole Church (2). Visson is a fine-fiber lightweight fabric made of cotton or linen, less often silk. Crimson - crimson-colored yarn or fabric. – Approx. ed. St. Gregory addresses the sons of a deceased woman, who bequeathed part of her estate to the Church. – Approx. ed. You might be interested in: