“A man does not live even a hundred years on this earth, yet he lays up as for a thousand”
This world receives all, but does not treat all alike. It loves the guest whom it counts as its own, who submits to its “family rules and traditions”. But the one who rejects its hypocritical “invitation” and its “spread table”, full of passions and of evil, it hates. A man does not live even a hundred years on this earth, yet he lays up as for a thousand; unceasingly he seeks and gathers what, as soon as he has found and gathered it, he will lose. Naked he comes into this world, and back he cannot carry even his own flesh, which is nearest of all to him. If the substance and worth of life were measured by its length and quantity, then the example of this would first of all have been given us by God made man: He would not have been crucified at thirty-three years of age. In that small time spent upon the earth the Lord accomplished that greatest mission which is called the deliverance of the human race from the captivity of sin. Therefore, when someone dies young, or is killed, or becomes the victim of injustice, we must not stumble, must not blaspheme against the Lord (it is unjust, why did the Lord allow it, and so forth), but let us remember the crucified Christ, unjustly killed out of envy — and by this every question will be answered for us. The Lord was tortured upon the cross and killed, while those who crucified Him remained alive. Can we after this measure by the length of life and of well-being what a man is and whether he is happy? Truly not. He was born in a manger among the cattle, for this world could spare Him nothing better; no better place was found for the Lord upon this sinful earth. Longer than thirty-three years this sinful earth could not bear to carry the holy body of the Saviour, and did not keep Him with itself. To Herod, to Caiaphas, to Pilate and to bloodthirsty men like them it gave kingship, imperial rule and glory; but to Christ, the one Truth, crucified upon the cross, it did not grant even His dying request: to Him who thirsted it offered vinegar mingled with gall. A manger, persecution, blows, torments, spitting, vinegar, nails, a spear — these are the “great goods” which the earth spares for Christ and for Christians. And thou, O man, if it offers thee something better, precious, glorious — thou shouldest stop and think; do not trust it at once, but judge: whose art thou — Christ's or this world's?
Many works in this world are done not for the sake of the work itself but for the sake of the result. When a farmer sows, he labours not for the sowing alone but awaits from it the fruit of the harvest. When an athlete trains, he spends his strength not only to grow strong in body but also to have success. So too with every man who has a trade or craft: the substance of his labour is measured by its purposeful use and by its result. With regard to the soul too many parallels may be drawn. The various virtues are means of spiritual cleansing and healing; but the way is one, a battle that must be won, and it is called salvation. Our life is a battle, and accordingly it cannot be without resistance, nor victory without overcoming, nor a reward without a winning. Woe to him who does not fight and against whom none fights, for he is already defeated; for he who fights, strives, and he who strives, shall be saved.
It is said that “in a healthy body a healthy spirit”; but it will be truer if we say: it is the healthy soul that determines the health of its dwelling — the flesh. As the soundness of a fruit is measured not by its outward look but by what is within — by its core — so it is with a man: what the core is to a fruit, the soul is to a man; it is the true judge that shows his soundness.
Our life is like walking upon ice; it is a hair's-breadth bridge laid between this world and eternity. Therefore every step taken upon it must be careful and watchful. In places the ice is firm and solid and can be leaned upon securely; in places it is thin and weak and may break beneath us. Such is our spiritual path also: at times our faith is firm and we walk boldly upon it; at times it grows thin, like ice, and then we sink into the frozen whirlpool of unbelief.
It is true that today we live in a very hard setting, in a time full of all manner of temptations; but despite this we shall not be justified before God for our unbelief. Happiness is measured not by outward things, not by the material well-being that exists in the world, but by the inward state of the soul and heart, by their disposition. When the soul rejoices, it seems that everything around rejoices. True, the surroundings, the upbringing in the family, being in the company of people of high morals have great importance for the forming of a man — but not decisive importance. Let us remember Judas, numbered among the Saviour's twelve beloved apostles, and his end; and the thief, who was among thieves and was the first to open the doors of salvation. A saving company did not deliver Judas from perishing, and the thief's salvation was not hindered by his ruinous company and his life, for he repented. It is not the time that brings unbelief, but the lack of faith that brings a bad time. As the state of thy soul determines thy outward look and thy character, so faith is what directs and revives every time, the “character of nature”. As the love of mother and child, as the breathing of a man is not measured by time and circumstance, nor by persecutions and torments; as no prohibition can separate blood from flesh — so inseparable and grown into our flesh should our faith and the love of the Lord be. Trial and danger that come upon us show forth and strengthen true faith.
For a part of mankind faith is needed for their own well-being, for a life of ease and for the untroubled carrying on of business. They picture it to themselves as their own “talisman”, which must agree with their interests and satisfy them. They do not themselves serve the Lord and the faith, but on the contrary they wish the Lord and the faith to be their servants. They find bliss in those things which they ought to use (riches, property, food), and use those things in which they ought to find bliss (faith, virtue, mercy). If things do not turn out as suits them, if some misfortune befalls them for their sins, at once they fall into doubt about the Lord, grow angry with Him and say: I pray so much, I am such a believer — why then has this befallen me? For them contentment with what they have, delight in life, riches are what determines faith: if they are content with everything, then they believe — and not the other way about, that faith should enrich and enliven their life. The Lord looks upon a man's heart, not upon his outward “play”. Let no one tempt God's mercy, for at the same time He is also just. As one holy father says: “Be not grieved, for the Lord is merciful; but be not careless either, for He is just.” Between justice and mercy there is a golden mean by which the Lord acts, for neither excess of mercy is fitting, lest one depart from justice, nor in carrying out righteousness must one show excessive firmness, lest by this one depart from mercy. “Let us seek the Lord, but let us not inquire where He dwells,” as Saint Seraphim of Sarov says. Let us give ourselves over to His providence, which is saving for us, and with obedience let us bear the cross of our life.
Amen.
