Письмо 54

You describe your father’s visit to the monastery, Arch. A... and K. P...noy; at this time you were also an actor; Be careful that your heart does not become exalted about your imaginary intelligence and spirituality; If anyone thinks that he knows something, it is nothing (1 Cor. 8:2), and again: if anyone thinks that he is wise in you, let him be so that he will be wise (1 Cor. 3:18), - these are the words of Scripture; and St. Peter of Damascus: “Whoever thinks that he knows, and does not know, is as if he does not know.” You must be very careful, demons are cunning and sleepless. The remarks you made about those persons cannot be given credit: a person will come, and the heart will be deep (Ps. 63:7). God alone knows all our deeds and thoughts; and your mistake can also be proven by the fact that you think that I exist, but do not know how small, poor, blind, exhausted and unreasonable I am. If your intelligent eyes were opened, you could understand; but what can you do, it’s easy to reproach yourself, but it’s more difficult to bear it from people; however, even with my weakness, I do not stop teaching people when I myself should still be in the rank of students. The last letter informs about the former sedition during the commemoration of the late priest, father L., on October 11th. Leaving those who were sedition for this, let them know themselves, have their own reason; They do as they want. I will tell you and your sisters: for they have zeal, but not according to understanding (Rom. 10:2); What does it mean: to hire a funeral mass? Is it not possible, at the mass that is being celebrated, to be remembered at the proskomedia and at the litanies, and then serve a requiem mass together from everyone? No, we need to have a mass, and for each one a special memorial service - this is a woman’s mind. The thing is different, when you are in different places, you can serve each of them; and if there is no mass, then you can and should hire; and then why hire? Christ is the same, the sacrifice is the same, and the commemoration is the same. Here, it seems, vanity is intertwined with imaginary zeal: and look, how you decided to show zeal to our elder, but you fell into the sin of temptation and condemnation of those who were tempted; It’s true that father would not want to see this in you; Think better, is your jealousy right and is it reasonable? I remain the sinful I.M. October 26, 1850. You might be interested in: