Слово о покаянии

Let us not fear vain fear, fear that is not fear, because “perfect love will cast out fear” (1 John 4:18). What does human fear mean in comparison with the fear of God? What does the glory of corruptible man mean in comparison with God’s greatness, with God’s ineffable power and untarnished glory? Since we are entertained by earthly things and are not able to penetrate with our minds, even with the help of faith and the illumination of knowledge (knowledge), into the invisible, then at least having seen the visible, having known the ineffable power of the incorruptible God, we will fear Him. A king, intending to move a huge stone, unless he uses levers and aids, cannot move it; but God “looks upon the earth and makes it shake” (Ps. 103:32). Is your mind not amazed (does it remain sober)? His eye shakes both mountains and heaviness; and again, according to His will, He supports everything with His word! Don't you be surprised when lightning flashes and thunder strikes? But not only people are then terrified, but also cattle, animals, birds, and those swimming in the waters. But no matter what we say, we won’t tell everything. So, let us fall to Him, weep before His goodness, confessing and saying: “You, Lord, are our God, and no one else. We have sinned before You, and we fall before You, Lord. For no one will oppose You when You desire to save us, O Lord, because the Lord is good and merciful.” Although we fell through passion, we will try to heal ourselves through repentance. Although as humans we have fallen into passions, we do not completely despair of ourselves, but recognizing God, who called us, and the calling to which we are called, we will listen to Him, who says: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near” (Matthew 4:17). It was not only for some sins that He prescribed repentance, but for others He did not. No, on the contrary, the Physician of our souls gave us this medicine for every sinful ulcer! So, let us cut off the evil customs of our souls and, instead of cauterization, let us use the fear of God, with which we can stop the currents of sin, so as not to be ashamed at the resurrection of the dead, when everything comes to light, whether someone has done good or bad. For the Holy Scripture says: “What is your life; There is a couple that appears for a little while and then disappears” (James 4:14). Let us abandon the desires that grow thorns, and with a chaste thought we will reflect the desire of voluptuous thoughts, because it is written: “You will be holy, as I am holy” (Lev.19:2). Let us leave this so that, by the grace of our Savior God, we may gain incorruptible life, so that the Lord, in His compassion for our conversion and sincere repentance, may consign our sins to oblivion. If one of those who think about themselves that they have worked more than others begins to murmur at the great mercy of the Lord because another is preferred to him, then the Lord of all creation Himself will say to him in justification of the other: “Friend, I will not offend you: did you not confer with Me on a fine; take what is yours and go: I want to give it to this last one, as I also give it to you” (Matthew 20:13–14). “God justify. Who is to judge? (Rom.8:34). Glory to him forever! Amen. You might be interested in: