Поучение 9. О недужных, что для них необходимо терпение, ибо велика им будет награда.

My fathers, brothers and children! Looking at your residence, I began to rejoice, for you have turned to the better. This is how it happens. For just as some at first, out of unaccustomment to the path, grieve and are burdened by it, and when they have walked a little, they usually become stronger and feel less tired, because the muscles become freer, the body is lighter, and they walk faster: so it happens with those who begin to walk in the way of the Lord. For now God allows us to experience difficulty so that we can learn and know which path is smooth and which is rough, and how to little by little reach its end. Let us walk the royal path, my children, let us count its miles, as the fathers said, and run away from the rapids that are on both sides, that is, shortcomings and excesses: and this consists in not violating the rules of the faithful commandment in food and drink, in vigil, also in poetry and prayer, in silence and secret heartfelt work. For, although I am a sinner, everything that is revealed to me is light. And the one who walks in the darkness of non-confession (sins), because he does not know where he is going, falls into the abyss; he thinks that he pleases God, but in fact angers Him, becoming the cause of temptation for others. Therefore, go, my children, where the path of obedience calls you, and do not undertake the impossible, and do not test the untestable deeds of obedience and my manifold abbot service, so as not to perish, seeing what is wrong. The novice also needs feat until he rejects worldly custom and erases previously acquired inclinations from his memory, and, as if from the abyss and storm of worldly cares and disturbing affairs, he enters the haven of carelessness and love of God. A greater feat is needed for those who try to preserve themselves harmless after having made a beginning and having weakened, they leave the monastery. For some thoughts come to us on their own, and others are brought to us by robber demons, with the intention of sinking the ship of our soul in the sea of ​​life, when it is loaded with every good thing. And if we do not neglect the quiet spirit of humility and do not disobey our helmsman, fulfilling our will, then we will truly reach the haven of the heavenly kingdom. So, my children, let us be “prudent and wise as serpents, and simple as doves” (Matthew 10:16), doing what is good and righteous, each one carefully engaged in his handicraft, whether one is engaged in penmanship, or a farmer, or a carpenter, or a carpenter, or a cellarer, or a cook, or a refectory attendant, or is in any other monastic obedience. And blessed are those who endure and force themselves, not those who try to be the head, and waste time hour after hour, day after day, and have no justification for their idle talk, or better yet, for their false talk; such people are displeasing to neither God nor us sinners. Since my speech is about the sick, that they do not accept with thanksgiving what happens to them, what is the reason for this? If they complain that they are not cared for, they will lie against God; for His goodness has given us that which we are not even worthy of. Don’t we have people appointed for this purpose, reverent and prudent? Is there not clean bread, wine, oil, olives, fruits, seasonings and all kinds of food in the hospital? Is there no bath and calm? Will you still grumble? To whom will these foolish ones be likened, if not to those “whose bones fell in the desert?” (Heb. 3:17)? The murmurer says that now the wine has oxidized and is not so tasty. Damned! Where can we get something old and sweet? How did you forget about your vows and promises and the residence of the holy fathers? With them, a cup of sour wine and the most bitter food were miraculously transformed into sweet ones. But let us not be unreasonable, let us change our thoughts and endure with firmness; in this case, one bread and some vegetables will be tasty and healthy for us. Give up argumentativeness, especially when it is completely useless, and do not bring stories from the world into the brotherhood, because through this the soul of the silent one is kindled, and the peaceful heart is confused. From now on, while the nights increase, get up for the Divine service, and study the troparions and sedals of the church; for from this the psalmody brightens, and the body becomes refined; otherwise, from too much tranquility during services, as if the body would rebel against the soul. I know the effort of demons and the battle of lust, I also know the union of love. Arm yourself, and be all of one mind, and walk in one spirit and with one accord. Glorify God for the conversion of our brother Serapion, for he “was dead and rose again, he bent and was found again” (Luke 15:32), that is, he again put on the holy image, which, having forgotten God, he took off from himself. And pray that God will strengthen him and you, and will make you worthy to accomplish the feats set before us in Christ our Lord Himself, to Whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: