Письмо 42

Glory and thanksgiving to the Lord, who keeps you in good health in soul and body; although sedition and embarrassment do occur between sisters, they are fleeting and serve more to correct our morality, if we are attentive, we can derive benefit from every case. Where would we learn patience and humility if no one did anything contrary to us? And how would we know our dispensation, in which we find ourselves? From this we recognize our weakness and learn art; a warrior is not considered skilled when he only knows military discipline, but when he has been in battles many times and knows by experience the difficulties and inconveniences of battle, and has suffered many wounds; how much more is our spiritual warfare, since: it is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, and against the authorities, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12); then you need to go through it through experience, asking for God’s help, and having yourself as earth and ashes before everyone - humility, which is a powerful weapon against invisible enemies. It’s a pity that O.’s mother doesn’t understand her own structure well and doesn’t strive for passion: but what can she do? Take St. for your guidance. Mark of the Ascetic, from the chapters about those who think they will be justified by works, chapters: 129, 176, 182, 183, 213 and 214, they apply to both you and her; when she is harmed by disobedience, then you will take advantage of it; and maybe she will come to true reason. In cutting off an unhealed oud, one must act more prudently; when cohabitation with you is so unbearable for her, of course, due to the slander of the enemy, which she cannot resist, lacking humility, then she can move away; the priest tied her up wrong, to the point of impossibility, and then he will see better the fruits of his self-inflicted life; and in illness her irritation chills her even more. And your structure cannot be praised: not only with your tongue, but also with your hands you act out your passion; other people’s sins are bitches, but ours are like logs! What can we boast about? And even if I had something to do, without a humble and contrite heart, they will not help us. I feel very weak, and I am not prepared for an unknown outcome. Woe to me, a sinner! I offer people the path of virtue, and I call myself a pilgrim: but my own soul is naked of virtues. I ask you, in the Lord of sisters, to pray for me, the poor one: that I may come before the Lord without condemnation. Wishing you and all your sisters in Christ mental and physical health, I remain your unworthy pilgrim, the great sinner I.M. January 23, 1843. You might be interested in: