Письмо 5

Most venerable sisters and mothers of Christ! Mother A., ​​V., P. and A. Wow! I deeply regret that you are losing heart from the machinations of the enemy, which are being orchestrated by well-known individuals. But just as bread strengthens our body, so may the bread of God’s word strengthen your souls and give you true reason - to accept the unfortunate cases sent from the right hand of God, and consider yourself worthy of them. I talked about this many times and wrote to your love, that without the will of God nothing happens, and all sorrows are sent to us from God for the benefit of correcting our morality, or for the cleansing of sins, or forbearance from them, or for the testing of our faith and love for God; even though we would like to turn it away, but we cannot; and by grumbling and being distressed, blaming others, we inflict more burdens on ourselves. I ask you, for God’s sake, read the word of God and the fatherly instructions more often, you will find benefit, you will find there that there is only one path to peace - patience and humility. But both agree with each other; one considers itself worthy of the sorrowful, while the other accepts and bears it courageously. In this way, fathers and mothers achieved such a dispensation that they even rejoiced when they were reproached, reviled, and caused other sorrows. Saint Elijah writes: “the house of the soul is patience, and humility is possessions; He feeds on this, and he will survive on this.” Still other fathers: “victory against every temptation is self-reproach and patience.” But we, judging others, imagine ourselves to be something, and are deprived of peace; you know the word of the Lord: learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29); then, if we do not have peace of mind, it means we do not have humility and meekness. But there is meekness, according to St. Peter of Damascus and John Chrysostom, such a state of the soul: how to be indifferent in dishonor and glory, in sorrow and joy, in poverty and abundance; in any case, try to fulfill the Gospel commandment about love: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who harm you (Matthew 5:44); also remember the King-Prophet: with those who hate peace, be at peace (Ps. 119:6). As you strive according to the commandment, and seeing your weakness, humble yourself more and more, and ask God to send you help not to defeat your enemies, but to bear with thanksgiving the sorrows from them; This is the way of the saints, and you walked by it and left an image for us. St. Isaac writes: “therefore we understand that we are provided by God, when sorrow will always be sent to us, and the way of God is the cross every day.” Here's to you, beloved sisters in the Lord! How much the Lord has sent and written to console your sorrows; but you yourself will strive to find greater benefit in the word of God and the sayings of the holy fathers; just believe in everything in God’s Providence, which leads us along a path unknown to us. Let's talk a little more about your confessor. Undoubtedly, maybe he has a difference with me, but in a good way from me. Didn’t you yourself ask for a confessor from our desert? Who else should I give, tell me? But even in this case, the case is not our business, but God’s. By His righteous judgment I am removed from you; for I only anointed the sores with oil and covered them, and did not heal them; and he, wanting to completely heal the ulcers, does as God instructs him. I will also have to answer that due to my weakness I did not heal wounds, but rather gave way to illnesses. However, how can one despair of salvation? God came to save sinners, not the righteous. He seemed like that to you only the first time, and then he will be tempted, he will be more lenient; believe God and receive healing for your souls. When I can return to my place, I cannot tell you anything: everything is happening to us that is destined in the all-wise book of God’s destinies; but no one knows what that destiny is; There is only one God. So, we must humbly submit to this. There is nothing more to write; I wish you to be calm and at peace with your father confessor, and he with you. Truly, he is a good man, and a simple one, which cannot be applied to me, cunning and crafty, as many understand about me, and exactly what I am. I send you, even my unworthy and sinful, blessing, and I remain your pilgrim I.M. May 2, 1832. You might be interested in: