The Blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi (1921-2009).The Elder of our hearts. (Part b)

2 Ιουλίου 2010

Words of solace, Words of Love

No one should be afraid of wickedness which is spreading in the world, because the Lord will not leave His own children alone, even if the evil is becoming more organized. “The One who is inside us is greater than the one who is in the world”.
Do not be scared. You will not be lost. The Grace of our Jesus will not abandon us neither will the prayers of our fathers and our elders.
I remain with you day and night, I hold you in my arms and I suffer for you. I am watching over you and pray, weeping for you, my children.
Since you are under the law of obedience do not be afraid of temptation. What will they do to you? They only throw droplets and spit at you! Do not be frightened. You will neither rescind your vows nor will you abdicate.
How could I ever imagine, that Grace would allow me to have so many spiritual children and such a brotherhood? I, an insignificant villager? That’s why I weep and pray: “My Lord, withdraw from me the waves of your grace…”
Mankind, especially today, seeks mercy. Of course nowdays there are very few people who have mercy. But again, there were never that many in the first place.
We are all sitting inside God’s palm, Who is full of love. Let Him do unto us whatever He wishes.
Blessed is he, who did not permit his enthusiasm to cool down.
Blessed is he, who did not permit his faith diminish towards his Elder.
Faith, devoutness, self denial and respect for the Elder. The more you have the more you get.
The Devil has lost all restraint and moves freely with his own worshipers, whether they are found in politics or inside the Church. Who can describe those events that are in store for us? We need courage and patience.
When the times of ‘fat cows’ (good times) are here, the ‘thin cows’ h(difficult times) are just around the corner! But here the issue is deeper. When in practice there is real contact among people with the same thinking, they all necessarily participate in the events and suffer in the same way and to the same extent. This cannot be done in any other way.
It is no use to retreat and be a coward. This is not the natural way of doing things because there is no reason for it. It is rather a wave of devastation and a typhoon which have swept the place and the world has descended into darkness and frost.
Spiritual variations are not nullified during the spiritual trials, but they adapt according to the state the warrior is found in. Solomon’s words: “there is time for everything” are applicable here.
As far as children are concerned, the only way to succeed with them and to be able to have better results is to show them love. This is the only thing that either directly or indirectly, has any gains and never misses its target, even though sometimes children seem to ignore it. Love will definitely bear fruit in the future, if not straight away.
It is very difficult to bring up children these days, since wickedness has overcome everything! Loving behavior will convince them, when it is applied softly rather harshly.
Children would like to feel their parents’ love. Neither clothes nor jewelry have any value for them. As soon as they grow up a little, they will recognize that all these are worthless and will throw them away. But they will be left with their parents’ love and understanding. This is the big gain!
You must keep three principles: Austerity for yourselves, sympathy for your fellow men and faith to God. All these attract God’s Grace and Mercy.
Faith in the Lord solves everything because everything is derived from Him. He alone has granted us His own comprehension. He alone has held us near Him, despite our trespasses. He alone has united us and bonded us devotedly and sturdily with His grace. How is it possible to believe that He will abandon us if we believe in His own declarations?
We need patience, peace and perseverance. Nothing more and nothing less. The coming events are only presenting themselves so that man can be tested, since our Lord’s love is well known, together with His promise that He has prepared our place so that we can live like kings among all the saints in eternal life.
God’s gifts are not erratic and His declarations are definite. Take heed of the spiritual variations and do not lose heart when the ‘thin cows’ (difficult times) replace the ‘fat ones’ (good times).
Persevere in prayer, my dear children, because the time, which our Fathers have described, is at hand and who can safely say that he can stand before the Lord’s throne?
We must be watchful all the time because the evil one neither sleeps nor hesitates, but seeks out someone to devour. This does not mean that we will get frightened or hesitate, but we must use self contempt and patience in temptations, because they will result in our redemption.
As we request Lord’s mercy, in the same way we must show mercy to others and love them. Who doesn’t like the meek person, since even the animals in nature love him? And again, who doesn’t despise the selfish and conceited person?
Do not be hasty in judging people because of some event which happened by chance. Since, as you well know, everything is unstable and subject to change. Therefore, no man can safely judge someone’s entire character because of his fleeting moves or statements. Remember: it is not just man but nature itself and even time, which are subject to change.
The stench of the breath of the ancient dragon, which will tempt the universe, is already causing us asphyxia and vomiting. Our only consolation is what the angel told Lot: “Leave, go to Sihor and be safe”. Woe to the new generation, which will find itself in the mist of the cyclone! What will they have to face!