Письмо 40

With all the sisters who are well disposed towards you in Christ, I wish you peace, health and salvation. To your question, what did I notice from the words ... about your life or transition, I can’t say anything. Even matter did not reach this point: each one advised about herself and her infirmities; and when the word came about temptation against you for falling away, I turned away with short words, presenting human weakness and that, apparently, the will of God arranged it this way for the common benefit; and I wrote to you through Mtsensk that whatever the will of God will be, the matter itself and the arrangement of circumstances will show you: whether to cross or stay; that is, if it becomes unbearable for you and they persecute you, come out; and when not, it’s better to stay; or even without that, maybe your health won’t allow you to leave, even if they drive you; and since you see from the letters of your relatives the inconstancy and fluctuation of your spirit, then why dare, looking for imaginary peace; where sometimes you will encounter unexpected, unbearable abuse, and the latter will be worse than the first. You see that little by little your struggle is calming down; when you become quieter yourself, it will become completely quiet. Have respect and love for the abbess, forcing yourself to do so when they are not there; Also, consider all your sisters to be your best, then they will all be at peace with you; and then, perhaps, sometimes you considered yourself to be something, and humiliated others, then God’s vision sent a temptation to your humility. Yes, I advised you to reconcile with you, not to seek your nourishment, but simply, having confessed, ask for forgiveness. Although she did not want to, she intended to ask; I don’t know why I changed my mind, maybe she’s forbidden; she said that she had already asked for forgiveness, but she asked in a silent language, which is why she did not receive peace; you need to confess because you know everything; and maybe with an increase - which was not the case at all; I was afraid that you wouldn’t forgive; I said that I would write about this. Whether she asked you for forgiveness or not, I am not an imam about this matter, I only advise you: do not exact this from her, but leave it, since we ourselves demand the forgiveness of our debts; Maybe she was in such circumstances that it was crowded everywhere. The mind of chapter 95 of Nikita Stifat (Dobrot., part 4, hundreds. 2) it is high, and it must be taken in more than one literal sense; again, two dispensations are seen there: high and the opposite - low; We do not dare to imagine ourselves having achieved the first, but watch out for the second as much as possible; overcome by passions, we grieve and repent, we wish to make a beginning and, like wounded people, we approach the Doctor and like the dead, we approach the Life-Giving One; presenting all your shame, condemning yourself, and placing all your hope in our Intercessor, who takes away the sins of the whole world and washes them with His blood: then it is not acceptable to condemn, but if you approach with impudence, and with imaginary dignity, or with contempt and negligence about sins, this life is cut off; but equal judgment is not issued by God for everyone, according to His incomprehensible view and unknown destinies. Would you like to know about the prayer of St. Basil the Great, who has a wonderful Theology, is she the same: “Master God, Father” and so on? I remember that it’s the same one; But is there also in me a false mind, imagining to lead, which I have not known by deed? When our heart is cleansed and prepared to receive spiritual sacraments, then Theology is clearly depicted in it; and when it is petrified, hostile, and, moreover, even malicious, then what kind of theology will be revealed here? In the same chapter it is written: “Let there be a soul apart from all malice and resentment.” You might be interested in: