Письмо 28

You write that you live in every kind of negligence and sin a lot, but have no repentance, and condemn others; Therefore, you have not yet felt in the feeling of your heart that you are a sinner, but only pronounce this word with your tongue. Try in the feeling of your heart to consider yourself a sinner, from this you will gain humility, you will not judge others, and especially those who are not subject to your judgment, you will also gain repentance with tenderness. Saint Isaac the Syrian teaches that “the sadness of thinking about one’s sins is not given to those who condemn others.” (Sl. 89, p. 464. ed. 5). “A person who stops his mouth against a person, whether good or evil, is not worthy of sowing grace” (that is, the feeling of sorrow for his sins). So, try to guard your tongue from condemnation, and turn your thoughts to the memory of your sins, about which our prayer is: “Lord, Master of my life, grant me to see my sins, and not to condemn my brother” (prayer of St. Ephr. in Holy Four). Whatever you ask for, you must force yourself to do it, then there will be fruit. – The Kingdom of God is not in words, but in deeds. I wish, as I spend this rebellious week (this is how passions have shaped it), that I meet the peaceful and saving fast with reverence, and I remain the great sinner I.M. February 12, 1851. You might be interested in: