Письмо 103

You mention that when raising the mind to God, you feel an inappropriate movement; and this is because you, full of passions, dare to raise your mind to God; It would not have happened as happened to the one who entered the bridal chamber in dirty clothes and was cast out from there. It is more akin to us and more fitting to have a contrite and humble heart, which God will not despise, and to follow the publican’s repentance; he did not dare to look up to heaven, and like the prodigal son: I go and say to the Father: Father, I have sinned in heaven and before You, and I am no longer worthy to be called Your son; Accept me as one of Your hired servants, and they appeared justified, more than those who had not sinned; Yes, a sinner with repentance and humility is more pleasing to God than a righteous man with pride. Remembering our sins and real negligence and non-correction, we must plunge ourselves into the depths of humility, and when we have in our hearts the guarantee of humble wisdom, then our virtues will also be firm; We always need humility, writes St. Isaac the Syrian in the 46th word. With humility, forgive your sins. Humility, in addition to deeds, also forgives many sins, but deeds without it do not bring any benefit. I do not advise you to give up obedience, but to endure the troubles that occur with self-reproach and humility; those who seem to be hostile to you are your benefactors; they, by the sight of God, show you your inner structure, so that you are healed of your passions, and try not to have a pledge of unworldliness towards them; but when it appears in you, immediately pluck it out through self-reproach and repentance and pray for them; but if you leave everything and think that solitude will heal you, you will be mistaken: it will only increase your conceit; try to keep yourself in the community from idle talk and vanity; but in case of creeping, quickly look at yourself, repent and humble yourself. Mnogohreshny I.M. January 18, 1855. You might be interested in: