33. Слово на успение Пресвятой Богородицы (Земная жизнь наша есть начало нашей бесконечной жизни и необходимое средство к приобретению вечного блаженства. В каком бы виде жизнь не являлась на земле, всякая ведет к сей цели)

We now celebrate the Dormition of the Most Pure Lady Theotokos, or Her blessed departure from this life, with which She passed away to the belly, the Mother of the Being of the belly. This exodus reminds us of our exodus, and our exodus reminds us of our entry into this life. Thus, two doors are imagined in our minds: one door stands at the beginning of our life - this is the door of birth, and the other door at the end of it - this is the door of death. Between these two, human life moves endlessly and variedly. Rise mentally above the earth and look from there at all the sons of men, look more closely, and you cannot help asking: what does all this mean? how is everything built and why is it built like this? Many people lost their minds while solving this issue. And holy faith solves it simply, giving us, however, the most complete - reassuring - answer. She says that our earthly life is the beginning of our endless life and a necessary means to acquiring eternal bliss. In whatever form life may appear on earth, it all leads to this goal, if only the living one pays attention to himself. Ascend to the beginning of humanity. The first thing you will see is that our life should not be the way it is. We created it for ourselves this way, having fallen in ancestors. We would be born in paradise, we would live in paradise. Whether we would have had an outcome then, we don’t know; and if there were, we cannot determine what it would be like. Paradise is lost. What we would have been born into in paradise will now become worthy of, already after death, and finally - after the resurrection and the second coming. And this life, full of weaknesses, imperfections, falls, sorrows and all kinds of inconveniences - this life has been added to us as a field of purification, testing and meritorious work. Let us dwell on this thought: this life is given in order to purify ourselves and through the work of good deeds to earn eternal bliss. No matter how dim she is, the Lord looks down on her from above. Work, work for the Lord according to your strength, and your labor in time will be repaid to you with bliss in eternity. Still work, another will say, still work for the Lord according to your strength; but what can I do - poor, sick, unknown? – This is the consolation that, no matter what life is, no matter how few material means it represents, everyone can do deeds that are valuable in the eyes of God and worthy of reward in eternal life. The Lord determines the value and dignity of deeds by the ability to do them or by the state of a person and the disposition of spirit with which they are done. Then such an immense circle of good deeds is defined - deed, word, thought. If you cannot do good by deed, do it by word; If you can't do it with words, do it with thoughts. Who is incapable of any of these things? And who cannot do good deeds? Who can't serve a cup of cold water? “But the Lord sees this matter and appreciates it.” The widow gave two mites to the church, and the Lord so appreciated her work that he placed it above all others. This is how the Lord made it possible for us to do good. Do not look at the fact that you are poor, unhealthy, ignorant, and do not say: “If I were rich, noble, famous, I would have done so much good”; but just look at what ways your condition presents for good, and use them in action. Happy people are more able to do good, they have more to do, and more will be exacted from them. But you, who are inferior to them in everything, can, with your meager means, do good that is no less valuable, as well as be subject to an answer that is no less strict. Everything is determined by the powers that are given from God for good. This is why it is commanded: do according to your strength. You just need to understand this - to the fullest extent possible, so that there is no indulgence in laziness and self-interest. There are sages who fight with all their might to make people equal. And of course this will never be achieved. And the Lord Provider easily equalizes them, but not by their condition, but by the fruits of their deeds and their evaluation. He will value a happy person less when he does not fully devote his ample resources to good, and he will place someone living in a low place above him if he turns his bodily ways into everything for the glory of God. In this one law of God's providence is all our consolation. Accept this law with every thought and heart and work complacently in your circle, regardless of what this one is like and what this one is like. – “Reflect for yourself” (1 Cor. 11:31; 2 Cor. 13:5). Look at your step and turn every opportunity that comes your way for good. With your thoughts, move to the afterlife and see: bliss is prepared for you, the last, as well as for all the first. Work, and the Lord will not forget Your small labors along with your extensive labors. Even if you had neither arms nor legs and were lying somewhere in an invisible corner, even that would not block your entrance to bliss; just don’t sell yourself, be patient and bless God. Others sit and think: “If I had this and that, I would do this and that.” Who knows if you would have done anything if you were wealthier; but it is undoubtedly true that, dreaming like this, you can miss opportunities for good that are at your fingertips, and for this you will be subject to answer. The Lord knows better than us who to give what. Now, if the Lord valued us according to only one means of good, we could still think about this, otherwise He judges not by one way, but by the use of them. “Good servant, you have been faithful in small things... enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23). He said this about those who use their small means for good. Such are God’s intentions in arranging our varied destiny on earth! Having realized the value of our every position on earth in the eyes of God and having completely calmed down regarding our temporary fate in the will of God, we will complacently follow the path of life determined for us, caring only about doing all the good expected of us by the Lord, not missing a single opportunity, and the Merciful Lord will reward us with the full breadth of our zeal in working for Him, not being embarrassed by the share that has befallen us here on earth. God bless us all to set ourselves up this way. Amen. You might be interested in: