A traveler on the way fears any misfortune. In the same way, we, who follow the path of this world, must be wary of everything. Take heed, walk carefully, not as foolish, but as wise, valuing the time, for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).

The traveler is subject to all kinds of bad weather and storms. Thus every storm of troubles, misfortunes and temptations befalls us, who go our own way. The traveler neglects all this, but, enduring everything, goes to the intended place. In the same way, we must neglect all the misfortunes that befall us, endure and go to our desired Fatherland.

The traveler is often attacked by robbers and undressed, and often killed, and so he is not allowed to reach the intended place. The same thing happens to us, so the demons, like robbers, attack us and wound and kill the unwary, and so they do not allow us to reach the desired Fatherland. Travelers protect themselves from robbers with weapons. In the same way, we must protect ourselves from demons by prayer and the word of God.

The traveler always has on his mind the place to which he is going, and he tries to reach it. In the same way, we must always have the Heavenly Fatherland in mind, and strive to attain it. So flee that you may receive, – the holy Apostle tells us (1 Cor. 9:24). The farther along the path the traveler goes, the shorter the path becomes. Thus, the more we continue the path of our life, the more we approach the end. A traveler, having come to the place where he was going, is in safety, and calms down, and rejoices at the successful end of his journey. In the same way, we, Christians, when we successfully complete our journey and come to the heavenly Fatherland, will be safe, will be freed from all troubles and misfortunes, will calm down, we will rejoice in our eternal bliss, which we will receive through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! To Thee have I lifted up my eyes, Who dwelleth in heaven! Behold, as the eyes of servants are turned to the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a servant are to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes are to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we are filled with contempt; Our soul is filled with much reproach from the haughty, and humiliation from the proud (Psalm 122:1-4).

25. Putnik i vodnik

We see in this world that the traveler, to whom the path to the intended place is unknown and unknown, demands and seeks a leader, but without a leader he errs and does not reach the intended place. Beloved Christians! We are travelers in this world, and we want to reach the heavenly Fatherland we desire, as it was said above, the Fatherland, which we have lost through sin. That which is desired, lovely, sweet, beautiful, calm, peaceful, and of all good things, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man (1 Cor. 2:9), the filled Fatherland. The Fatherland, which we look at with tearful eyes from this deplorable vale. I say that this is the Fatherland, but the path to it is unknown and frightening to us. I don't know because we don't know how to get there. He is terrible, because innumerable demons, like robbers, surround him, and hinder those who are walking, and try not to allow him to reach him. We demand without fail a skilful and wise leader in such an important matter. Where are we to look for it? In the wise and prudent of this world? No! For all, not only the simple, but also the wise, having gone astray, have departed from this way: all have gone astray like sheep; man has deviated from his way (Isaiah 53:6). That is why even the wisest of this age require a leader to this Fatherland. Where are we to look for it? Prophets, apostles, and teachers all point to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He alone is the faithful and all-wise Leader to the heavenly Fatherland. No one will come there unless He brings, as He Himself testifies, saying: "No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). God, wishing to lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land, sent Moses, His faithful servant, to this great work, who led Israel out of bitter slavery and led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land. After the death of Moses, the Lord raised up Joshua as their leader, who led the people of God into the land boiling with honey and milk.

Christian! Moses, Joshua, prefigured Jesus Christ, the Son of God; the old Israel – the new Israel, the Christians; the slavery of Egypt is a heavy slavery to the devil; passing through the sea – holy Baptism; walking in the wilderness of Israel is the life of Christians in this world. The Promised Land means the heavenly Fatherland. God sent His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to us, so that He, having led us out of the slavery of the devil, would lead us to His Heavenly Father. Of Him the Heavenly Father bears witness from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; Hear Him (Matt. 17:5). All the prophets, apostles, and teachers of the Church bear witness to Him and teach us to follow Him. Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we might follow in His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21). And He Himself says: "For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done unto you" (John 13:15). And again: Whosoever serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there will my servant also be" (John 12:26). All the saints followed Him, and He led them into a land boiling with honey and milk of heavenly sweetness. His faithful servants follow Him even now. They follow with faith, love, humility, patience, meekness. And He leads them to this Fatherland, and, as the Good Shepherd, taking them on His shoulders, brings them to His Heavenly Father.

O Christians! Let us also join this blessed and holy retinue, and follow Jesus with faith, love, humility, and lead us not to the land of Canaan, but to the eternal kingdom of God, and give each his own lot. O Jesus, the Power of our salvation! Guide me in Thy way, draw me after Thee, let us run.

26. Пришелец или странник

Кто отлучился из своего дома и Отечества и живет на чужой стороне, тот там пришелец и странник, как россиянин, находящийся в Ита­лии или в иной какой земле, там пришелец и странник. Так и христианин, от небесного Отечества удаленный и в многобедственном мире этом живущий, пришелец и странник. Об этом святой апостол с верными говорит: не име­ем здесь постоянного града, но ищем будущего (Евр. 13:14). И святой Давид это исповедует: Странник я у Тебя и пришелец, как и все отцы мои (Пс. 38:13). И еще молится: Пришлец аз есмь на земли; не скрый от мене заповедей Твоих (Пс. 118:19).

Странник, живя на чужой земле, все стара­ние прилагает к тому, чтобы сделать и совер­шить то, ради чего прибыл на чужую землю. Так и христианин, словом Божиим позванный и святым Крещением обновленный к вечной жизни, старается, как бы не лишиться вечной жизни, которая здесь, в этом мире или приоб­ретается, или губится.

Странник в чужой земле с немалым опа­сением живет, потому что между незнакомы­ми людьми находится. Так и христианин, в этом мире живя, как на чужой земле, всего опасается и остерегается, то есть духов зло­бы, демонов, греха, прелести мира, злых и без­божных людей. Странника все чуждаются и удаляются от него, как от не своего и чуже­земца. Так и истинного христианина все ми­ролюбцы и сыновья века этого чуждаются, удаляются и ненавидят, как не своего и им противного. Об этом говорит Господь: Если бы вы были от мира, то мир любил бы свое; а так как вы не от мира, но Я избрал вас от мира, потому ненавидит вас мир (Ин. 15:19). Море мертвого тела, как говорят, не держит в себе, а извергает вон. Так и мир непостоян­ный, как море, благочестивую душу, как для мира умершую, изгоняет. Миролюбец – лю­безное чадо для мира, тогда как презиратель мира и похотей его прелестных – враг.