Question 353 of the same. I was sent on business to the Holy City (Jerusalem) and (from there) went to pray on the Jordan, without asking permission from the abba: did I do well or not?

John's answer. He must not go anywhere without command; what we do according to our thoughts, although it seems good to us, is not pleasing to God; and in keeping the command of your abba who sent you, there is both prayer and pleasing to God, Who said: "I have come down from heaven, not that I may do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me the Father" (John 6:38).

Question 354 of the same. If, going somewhere far away, I forget to ask the abba where I should stay, what should I do?

John's answer. You must be attentive to everything that comes your way, and thus do every deed for your own spiritual benefit, but (considering yourself) as if you are violating a commandment, and not as if doing something good; and then the abba will be informed to forgive you.

Question 355 of the same. If the abba especially admonishes me not to do something, and I, as a man, violate it, what can I do?

John's answer. Repent to God and Abba and try to correct yourself first, and God will forgive you your sin.

Question 356. The brother who had been entrusted with the monastery gates, having labored alone, asked the Great Elder: should he take another brother to help him, or not?

Answer Barsanuphius. Brother! If anyone desires to come to Jesus and walks the path of salvation, he must hourly expect temptations and sorrows, for (the Scriptures) say: "Child, if you come to work for the Lord God, prepare your soul for temptation" (Sir. 2:1). And the Lord said: "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross every day, and come after Me" (Matt. 16:24). Thus, whoever wishes to be His disciple must fulfill obedience until death. To be alone and to trouble yourself a little is more useful for you than to invite another; in case of need, another will always help you. Freedom of conversion is not so much increased when (brother) only helps you, as when he is constantly with you. If you do not lose heart from work, you will acquire humility, and when you acquire humility, you will also receive forgiveness of sins; for it is said: "Behold my humility and my labor, and forsake all my sins" (Psalm 24:18). When you humble yourself, you will receive grace, and grace will help you. And the holy Apostle Paul, who labored more than all the apostles, said: "Not I, but the grace of God, which is with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10). When you believe unquestionably, you will be able to fulfill not only the ministry of the gatekeeper, but also other obediences. Therefore, with hope, listen to the work of God, and God will arrange your work without your knowledge. The Lord is with you.

Question 357 of the same. My father! Ask me through your prayers from God for strength and understanding; for I am ignorant and weak. Since it happens that at the time when I leave the kitchen or cellar, holding something, I meet one of the fathers or venerable people, then what should I do? Pray also that I may be delivered from the defilements that befall me.

Answer Barsanuphius. If you believe that God can even from barren stones... raise up children unto Abraham (Matt. 3:9), and that He who opened the mouth of the ass (cf. Num. 22:28) is able to open them to thee also, and is able to make thee wise, to admonish and strengthen thee, then God will give thee all, brother. Do you know the meaning of things? The gates of the monastery are the gates of God, and God knows that His servant, the gatekeeper, requires wisdom, understanding, knowledge, strength, help, and discernment: "For the tidings (says the Scriptures) are your Heavenly Father, which ye require before you petition" (Matt. 6:8). If you wait and endure, then blessed will be your soul. And if it happens to you, while you are going and carrying something, to meet any of the fathers or nobles of this world, then without any embarrassment put down what you hold in your hands, and receive them with humility and the fear of God, and God, through the prayers of the saints, will arrange that your meeting will serve for the glory of His name and for the edification of all, amen. As for defilements, I will say: If your heart humbles yourself, and you consider yourself earth and ashes, then humility according to God will cover you.

358. The brother questioned another Elder, saying, "Tell me, my father, who should be questioned about thoughts?" And should we ask another question about the same (thoughts)?

John's answer. It is necessary to question the one in whom you have faith, and you know that he can bear thoughts, and you believe him as God, but to ask another about the same thought is a matter of unbelief and inquisitiveness. If you believe that God spoke through His saint, then why is there a trial, or what is the need to tempt God by asking another about the same thing?

Question 359. And what if the thought continues to trouble someone even after the answer received from the fathers?

John's answer. It means that he, having received instruction, remained idle and did not fulfill exactly and diligently what was commanded to him; (why) and must correct this error, fulfilling exactly what he heard; for if God speaks in His saints, there is no falsehood in it.