Letters, Volume 1

Letters to monks about illness and death

LETTERS TO MONKS ABOUT ILLNESS AND DEATH (214–223) LETTER 214 A brother who lived in the monastery, serving an elderly monk who was ill, asked the Great Old Man about his own thoughts. Response by Barsanuphius. OU ARE SILLY, and this is why your thoughts rule over you, especially the pretense to rights. The Lord wants you to consider every person as being superior to you, and your hardheartedness does not allow you at this time to see even the elderly monk, who is advanced in age, as being superior to you. Therefore, show obedience to him in all things and do whatever he tells you, submitting yourself to him, whether in matters of eating or drinking or any other such thing. And if you are asked to do something that is burdensome, seek the advice of the abbot, and do whatever he tells you. In regard to psalmody and vigil, do what he tells you and everything will be for the salvation of your soul. If he speaks falsely against you, rejoice; for this is especially beneficial to you. And if he brings you grief, be patient. “For the one who endures to the end will be saved.”1 In all circumstances, give thanks to God;2 for thanksgiving intercedes with God for our weakness.3 In all things, always blame yourself as being sinful and erring, and God will not condemn you. Be humble in everything, and you will find grace from God. If you learn all these things, God will help you to find strength. For this is his will, namely, that “everyone may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”4 1. Mt 10.22. 2. Cf. 1 Thes 5.18. 3. Cf. Sayings, Nau 637. 4. 1 Tm 2.4. 222 LETTER 215 Response from the same Old Man to the same person. Brother, do not try to discern the thoughts that come upon you; for this, too, is not something within your limits. They trouble you in whatever way they wish; for you do not know their method. If they trouble you, however, say to them: “I do not know who you are, but God knows and he will not allow you to deceive me.” So cast your weakness before God, saying: “Lord, I am in your hands; help me and free me from their hands.” And if any thought persists and wars against you, declare this to your abbot, and he will heal you through God. As for your manual labor , do whatever you are told, and you will be saved in the name of God. As for the Psalms, do not stop studying these; for they are a great strength. Force yourself to learn them by heart; for this will benefit you greatly. And as for listening to those things that are beyond your capacity, do not seek to do this. For you have enough lessons for now, according to your measure, which can be of benefit to you. LETTER 216 Response from the same Old Man to the same [brother]. Do not naïvely [allow yourself to] be ridiculed. You cannot trust your enemies. For if you are careless and negligent, they will return once more. A soldier prepares for war even in time of peace. Consider how the Lord said to the serpent: “He will watch over your head, and you will watch over his heel.”5 Therefore, a person should not be careless, even until one’s last breath. Rather , guard yourself, brother, from anger, vainglory, sleep, and the other passions, knowing that the enemy neither sleeps nor is negligent. LETTERS 214–223 223 5. Gn 3.15. 224 BARSANUPHIUS AND JOHN LETTER 217 Response from the same Old Man to the same person. Brother, if you wish to be saved, acquire humility, obedience, and voluntary submission; and when you hear anything from the elderly man, no matter what it is, tell him with humility: “Pray for me, father, that God may grant me wisdom and vigilance, so that I may not afflict you.” Guard these things, and you will be saved. LETTER 218 The same brother fell ill and thought that he would die. He asked the same Great Old Man, with much humility, about forgiveness of sins and about endurance of this illness to the end. And he responded to him in this way. Do not be...