Поучение 23. О любви от всей души.

My beloved brothers, fathers and children! Truly, you know that I do not only during the day or at night or at any set hour, but I always ask and pray to God, so that He, through the prayer of my father and your father, will preserve you in everything from harm and stumbling. This is my grief, this is my work and my care, even more - this is my life and death, this is my wealth and glory, my joy and sorrow. I don’t care about anything else, my children, and I don’t want anything else than to acquire you, and lead you to perfection, and present you to the living God as a pure and immaculate sacrifice. Love me, my children, just as I have loved you, and I lay down my life for you, although I am a sinner; for you are my desire, my delight and desire. Do not think that these are only idle words; but believe me that as the word is, so is (the feeling towards you) of my foul and unclean heart. Remember all this, and keep it in your hearts as best you can. Strive, my children, and walk your spiritual path, fixing the eyes of your thoughts on grief, looking at the heavenly and imagining the eternal; thinking about how and when, in winter or summer, day or night, in youth or in old age, this summer or in the future, death will come, those who separate the soul from the body will come, a rival will overtake, deeds and words will be tortured, there will be our victory, or defeat. By affirming yourself in this way, you will not indulge in sins and will not fall into the pit of iniquity, but will see the blessings of Jerusalem on high all the days of eternal life. Also, do not ignore bodily actions; be thorough in both. With your lips sing praises to God, with your tongue speak the truth; Do with your hands what is in your ability, and with your feet walk in the way of peace; Let your whole body be holy, and let your members be the odors of Christ. “Will I commit the harlots of Christ? Let it not be” (1 Cor. 6:15). Therefore, flee from fornication, lest anyone be wounded, lest anyone become defiled, especially now in the summer, whether under a shady tree or in a hidden place. The eyes of the Lord, as the Divine Scripture says, “are darker than the brightest sun, perceiving all the paths of man, and looking into secret places” (Sir. 23, 27, 28). When talking or sitting, do not laugh shamelessly, and do not sit close to each other, so that your body warms up from your body. Do not fill your bellies; I do not advise healthy people to drink wine, except when they are sick or sick. Inner excitement is enough, natural fire is enough, the flame of bodily excitement is enough. And if you also apply fire to the wine, it will ignite and burn you; for the flesh cannot bear this, but is excited, inflamed, and seeks what is akin to itself, and being excited, it rushes to the works of darkness. Therefore, each of these is kindled with lust for his neighbor; “But whoever happens to be away from them, it is shameful to eat and speak” (Eph. 5:12). And those who are subjected to this acquire bestial aspirations, become like dumb animals and become like senseless cattle. But I have not yet spoken about that most evil passion, which happens alone and commits fornication without another body. Be careful, my children; So I tell you in advance, I confirm you in advance, I foretell you and predict. God has determined the day of judgment, on which he will judge those who do such things, and will deliver them up with demons to eternal torment. Preface the Lord in confession: reveal to me what the devil is instilling in you; do everything decently; sleep in moderation: during the short time of church services, be awake, and generally confess and correct yourself more often. “And if... the Lord finds you who do such things, blessed are you” (Lk. 12:38): He will give you an everlasting kingdom. May the Lord God keep you, my most honest brothers, in peace and unanimity, for to Him belongs glory forever. Amen. You might be interested in: