Огласительное слово об оскудении добрых дел и о долготерпении Божием

It is time for us to work hard to acquire eternal life and endless glory, for after this life follows death, and this glory is met with shame. Many were strong for an hour, and were brought down to hell like dogs; judges convicted defendants; the rich became completely poor; the wise suddenly became foolish. The strong were exhausted, the healthy fell into illness; nothing is fragile among people, because nothing is sacred in the world. Children dishonor their fathers, fathers envy their children; wives reject their husbands, husbands are not faithful to their wives. Young men speak ill of old men, old men rebel against the young. It is impossible to trust a friend or rely on a brother. You will speak peacefully - and this will be hostile. Envy and deceit prevail among us, and gluttony prevails. No one remembers God, no one expects to be judged after death. That is why evil has multiplied, because God is humiliated by us. He gave us understanding so that we would be in agreement with good, and we would be in agreement with evil; He has provided us with strength, so that with its help we can supply the poor, but we take away what the poor have; He instructed us to be in charge, so that, while in charge, we would restrain those who act violently, and we use this to oppress the defenseless. There is no straight path, no right judgment. Love has cooled, hatred has increased, virtue has been humiliated, hypocrisy has been honored. They abhor humility and prefer exaltation. Truth has become scarce and lies have covered the earth. O the depth of the goodness of God’s long-suffering! With everything that is bad, God endures and does not take revenge; and it is not because He does not show anger that He cannot immediately punish us, but out of compassion, like the Father, He extends mercy to us as far as possible. You might be interested in: