HOMILY 36: On the Sorrows That Occur in the Community, and That as the Brotherhood Increases, the Lord God Continually Gives What Is Needed

Fathers, brethren and children! If I have dared and dare to rule over you and be your superior, then I did not rely on the power of my word, for it, as you see, is weak, and not on a life worthy of imitation, for you know my sloth, but only on the mercy of God, having at the same time, as I think, some good intention and the prayer of my father and your father that helps me. I know to whom it is necessary to be superior, those who have attained impassibility and shine in it, who possess the word and the wisdom they need, who are attentive, clairvoyant, merciful, and can, according to the words of the Apostle, bear the burdens of the weak (Romans 15:1). But I, my children, am insignificant and weak, and I am not yet able to lead a life pleasing to God; however, I do not falsely and invariably wish to convey to you not only the salvific word of God, but also my most accursed soul. I do not know whether my work will be pleasing to the Lord, but (I believe) that it will be so for your sake, if only you will help me with diligence and thoroughness, keeping God's commandments. Children, sometimes sorrows, oppressions and temptations happen to me, as you know; but I do not grieve over this, and I do not think that I am tolerating anything unusual and beyond hope. For this, for this, and for this I am what I am, and I must watch vigilantly for your souls, watch both night and morning, carefully ponder, labor, pursue, and make the course in deed and word, in order to bring you to perfection.

Wherefore ye also, my brethren, do not faint. And if I, who am unworthy, who is considered your teacher, endure so much for your sake, then you also must labor for my sake, and also for one another, to endure together sufferings and misfortunes, not being surprised, not complaining, not despairing, and not terrified at the sorrows that arise, for we, my children, have not yet resisted sin to the point of blood; they have not yet passed through fire and water like the holy martyrs; our soul has not yet passed through the iron, as it was with the ever-memorable Joseph; We have not yet been wounded, we have not yet received wounds, like all the saints and righteous. And what will we boast of in the age to come, is that we have suffered for Christ, when we do not endure with joy and courage even the smallest thing, that is, reproach, shame, reproach, contempt, dishonor, scarcity of food, drink, and clothing, bodily labors, zealous attendance at church services, standing at psalmody, and reprimands.

Yes, my children! Endure and endure, that we may sing with David: "Endure the Lord, and hearken unto me, and hear my prayer" (Psalm 39:2). Each of his fruits will bear fruit in the age to come: the threw-blessed martyrs will bear their blood, the venerable fathers will have great virtues; And what feats are for us sinners, we have already said. And I am firmly convinced that we will not lose a part of them, as the Divine Anthony tells us. Therefore, my children, seek God fervently, and your soul shall live (Psalm 68:33). Seek His face, and see Him with a pure heart. Remember His miracles, which Thou hast wrought for us in the past years, and now, as I see the blind man, He is working in the midst of the city. For there are many adversaries there, and no one agrees with us in the Divine, but God preserves them harmless, multiplies them, grows and nourishes them, and does not deprive us of anything necessary for the present life. Therefore, my most honorable brethren, for what He is now doing for us, let us show our gratitude to Him all the more, and give Him his due. And what does He seek from us? Nothing else but that we fear and love Him with all our heart and with all our thoughts, and to imitate His life in the flesh according to our strength.

He, like a stranger, descended from heaven to earth, so that we, too, might depart from our will in thought. He was obedient to the Father, so that you also would zealously obey me, who am unworthy. He humbled himself even unto death, so that you, thinking these things, might be bowed down and humbled in thoughts, deeds, words, and movements. In what does true and divine glory consist, if not in being subjected to dishonor from people for God's sake? And in what does the true honor and glorification of a monk consist, my brethren, if not in humbling themselves for God's sake and appearing dishonorable? Humble and humiliated chose my God and Saviour, when I put on a body, that I might put to shame all that is glorious and rich among men. For this reason He was born in a cave and was laid in a manger; he was called Tecton's son, called Nazarene; he dressed in only clothes, walked and toiled; he was threatened by the Jews with stones; He was harassed, seized, crucified, pierced, killed, and then rose again, so that we, my brethren, might be moved to endure all this before His angelic powers, and crown us in the heavenly kingdom, in Christ our Lord Himself, to whom is glory and dominion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

PRECEPT 37: On Loving to Be the Last and Enduring Dishonor and Reproach with Thanksgiving

Fathers, brethren and children! Leaders of warriors, teachers of children, artists of disciples, and we must instruct you, and give you, as our children, proper advice. And so, my children, abide in asceticism, in your suffering obedience and in your martyric obedience, compel yourselves day by day during the present life, acquire [46] your souls in virtues, betroth yourselves to the kingdom of heaven, and treasure the blessings preserved in the promises. Narrow and sorrowful is the way of God, and I say the same, but for this in the future we will be met with breadth, space, and peace. Temptations from demons are frequent, attempting to burn down our spiritual home, but the dew of the spirit extinguishes them and pours out for us water flowing into eternal life. Distress and sorrow, despondency and sloth, work and vigilance, desire and non-obtaining, labor and podvig, suffering and strain, poor clothing, [47] languor [48] and sweating, rebuke and reproach, excommunication and exile – this is the sorrowful path. But for all this, indescribable joy and endless joy await us.

Come, therefore, my children, let us bravely endure these little days, like inches, and let us be vouchsafed to bear the crown of righteousness. How much did our blessed fathers struggle in fasting, vigils, tears, prayers, and in every ascetic life! And now for them there is no sorrow from the labors that have passed, but they have received inexpressible joy and ever-blessed delight. In like manner, I beseech you, let us not fear sorrows, which are of short duration and pass away in a short time, like a dream and like a shadow; let us not be lazy, but with diligence let us fulfill the commandments of God. Do not grieve at reproaches, do not be ashamed of reproaches, do not be troubled by sorrows. Do not be overcome by pride; but let us direct our gaze to the valley, and our soul to sorrow; let us be meek and quiet to one another, patient and merciful. It will happen, someone will tell you a harsh word. Why are you confused, child? Our Lord Jesus Christ heard, "The demon of Imashi" (John 7:20) and was silent, and "For Beelzebub he shall cast out demons" (Matthew 12:24), and was not troubled.

But you, as those who have been taught of God, already know all that is pleasing to Him.

Therefore, fulfill this, my children, and bravely endure to the end in this life, also the sicknesses that you encounter, for many fall ill, and accept what is given to you with thanksgiving. But if you have need of anything, ask with humility; and be ye blameless in all things, without deceit, bright in countenance, and filled with joy, that ye may all be one in one hope of calling, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom belongeth glory and dominion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

SERMON 38: On Courageously Enduring All That Comes With Us, In Order to Become Imitators of Christ, Who Suffered Much for Us

Fathers, brethren and children!

Relaxation and laziness to ascetic deeds are the sleep of the soul. Therefore I beseech you, my children and brethren, knowing the end that completes such a feat of ours, how great, divine, ineffable and blessed it is, let us labor and endure in our good obedience and in its great feats, in the cutting off of our will, in obedience and service, in vexation from the brethren, inflicting many blows and many plagues, and in reproach from the highest and the lowest. Truly, the Apostle's word must be said of you: "To this hour we hunger, and thirst, and naked, and reproached, and strangled, and lamented; but in all these we prevail for the sake of our beloved God. (1 Corinthians 4:11, see Romans 8:37).

Be strengthened also, O much-desired children, in the power of His might, and add to your former feats both present and future, having every joy that you have been vouchsafed to suffer for Christ the Savior and to be imitators of His passions. To those who understand this alone, this alone will already be much for the attainment of recompense. Remember how much He suffered for our salvation. Was He not a child of the flesh? Did he not flee from the insidious murder of Herod? Did he not obey his parents? When he was twelve years old, did he not rebuke those who were in the temple, without learning books? (This is for those who are not literate, so that they do not grieve). Did he not travel often, and grew weary, and sought fruit in the fig tree? Did not the Jews reproach Him? Did they not say to Him, "Demon Imashi," and "O Beelzebub, prince of demons, cast out demons"? Did they not throw stones at Him, and He fled from those who threw stones at Him? And before that, did he not fast for forty days, and was he not tempted by the devil like a man, when he said to Him, "I will give all this to Thee, if we fall down and worship ourselves," and heard from Him, "Follow me, Satan, and so forth?" (Matthew 4:9-10). Did he not wash the disciples' feet like a servant? Was he not betrayed by a traitor? Was he not captured by the Jews? Was he not condemned by Annas and Caiaphas? Was he not beaten by the hand of a slave: Was he not beaten with a rod from Pilate? Was not the beaten with hands created by Him, and wore a crown of thorns for reproach? Did He not ascend to the cross? Were not His most pure hands and feet nailed with nails? Was He not rooted in the cross? Was not His holy side pierced by a spear? Was He not drunk with gall? Was he not buried, and as God rose again on the third day?