Αnun possessed by a spirit of despair would say over and over again, "I am afraid that I will not be saved." And a wise elder replied to her:
Who could then be saved if monastics cannot? For whom has God created
******
The elder also said, "Various people can be comforted near a person who is free from stress."
A hermit said:
What guarantees a safe journey to eternity is effort, dignity, the sense of being unworthy before God, hope (the spiritual oxygen), consolation, and certainty. Not misery and compelled obedience and forced prayer; not tears and sadness—these all come from Satan. Yes, I ought to weep for my sins, but all the while hoping in God's love. But I cannot stand it if I cry because the Devil wants me [to despair]. Many times Satan crushes a person with despair and the devil becomes the victor. But this does not happen when one is like a child on his father's arm—trusting. Our trust in God is a ceaseless prayer that brings positive results. Despair comes from the Devil. Don't say, 'Oh, what has happened to me?' but give yourself to God totally and hope in Him.
Our obedience should not be done with misery or because we happen to be monastics. The elder or the eldress is not like the Emperor Diocletian who gives us orders. Rather, we should be grateful to our elders and eldresses because our obedience to them protects us. We thus must not react
to their directions negatively, nor disobey them.
* * *
I have not dealt with many things. I am familiar with some patristic teachings and I keep trying, nonetheless. One thing has become clear to me. There is no bitterness for man. When you face bitter situations spiritually, eventually they become sweet.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE HOLY MONASTERY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS KOUPHALIA- THESSALONIKI- GREECE |
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου