Об укрощении худых пожеланий

Let us consider what is better: to possess the creature or to possess the Creator Himself? Let us become His property, so that we too may possess Him. Man, like his Creator, is exalted above everything. If we do not gain our soul and our God, then, even if we have everything, we destroy ourselves. But whoever first of all acquired God acquired everything. Is it pleasant for anyone if those under his control resist him? As we manage others, we will learn to manage ourselves. A bridle is used to tame a horse, and a stick is used to tame draft animals. Likewise, we must tame all disorderly movements within ourselves. But even the admonishing rod will be powerless if it remains undisturbed during persistence. Sailors conquer the indomitable spine of the seas; trappers conquer high mountain ranges; farmers conquer the backbone of the earth; people tame animals of all kinds. Is it possible that He who has put everything under our control will not subdue us to Himself? Isn’t it shameful for us that we resist God, Who subdued and made creatures subject to us? Let us consider which is better: our soul or the creature? Let us suppose that we have conquered the world and everything in the world. But the soul that has conquered everything remains both stubborn and unbridled. In this case, we do more harm than good from trying to subjugate everything to ourselves. We do not bother to correct ourselves and submit to our will what we own, while the owner himself remains stubborn and stiff-necked. Let's see how a man tames animals. He has the art of subduing both their jaws and their spine; hits the spine with a rod, places a bridle on the jaws. If a person subdues the beast in this way and takes possession of it, then will God really neglect to teach and acquire a rational soul for Himself? We understand that just as man is the ruler of animals, so God is the ruler of souls. We rule, but we ourselves are in His power. We are His property in ourselves, but we must learn to be His property in what we possess. Our beasts of burden are subject to our rod. Our soul must be submissive to His rod. From the fact that our rod is useful to us, we will understand the benefit of His rod. Let us consider how bad it is that a thin man bridles animals, but he himself remains unbridled. He is inflamed with anger if the animal does not listen to him, and he himself blocks his own hearing. He makes animals better, but he himself does not improve, often acts recklessly and punishes an innocent animal. But as soon as his own recklessness is punished, he spews out blasphemy. It remains to be said about what is best for a person. He is a wise man who diligently punishes his flesh with hunger and thirst in order to accustom it to activity, who corrects his soul and exercises it by reading the Holy Scriptures. He is beautiful in spirit and body who purifies himself in these two crucibles; the more he purifies himself in them, the more his beauty deepens. The activity of the flesh serves as a tool for maintaining health and overcoming laziness. With it, the soul becomes vigilant - it tames and overcomes lust within itself. This pleases the Good One, Who cares for us. May His admonition be for all of us like a strong heel, trampling upon all our sins. Parents punish the children they love. The very ardor of their love subjects their children to punishment; Love is hidden in visible anger at the guilty. If you look at the outside alone, this anger is unpleasant, but internally it is ardent love. Parents have the same love both inside and outside: internally it hurts, externally it is clothed with anger. In the image of punishing parents we see our Creator; He is inwardly filled with generosity, but outwardly He is surrounded by fear. His wrath against the foolish cries out for His ardent love. In His very fury lies love. Our Creator, even when he is indignant, is not irritated. When he threatens, he remains calm. And His indignation is imperturbable, and His sorrow is joyful. Neither the breath nor the stench of anger mingles with the purity of Him Who is imperturbably pure. He is entirely pure, and everything that is His is like Him. There is nothing in Him that would disturb Him. There are no movements in Him that would be tamed with struggle. The free will of God's being is pure without any effort. God flares up and burns with anger, but remains pure and calm. He knows that it is indecent for the punisher and will not bring any benefit to a cheerful and smiling face, and he takes upon himself a stern face, so that we awaken from sleep and put aside our carelessness, forbid our freedom to remain in slavery. There are many wise purposes hidden in the rod of God. He strikes for our salvation and spares for our benefit; awakens those who are immersed in sleep, brings triumph to those who are vigilant, and shows love in everything. He loves and amazes us in order to bring us great benefit. He has mercy and punishes us so that we flee from base passions. In accordance with His wise purposes, for our salvation He speaks now with the voice of anger, now with the voice of love, now He is angry and threatens, now He caresses and promises, like a doctor who heals everyone and everything; pronounces a curse so that we may receive a blessing. Every curse that comes from Him can serve to acquire a blessing. You might be interested in: