On good deeds for the departed

From the September 19 entry in The Prologue of Ohrid: 

Even the dead sense and know the good deeds that are performed for them.  Christians need not have any doubt in this.  A good deed spreads through the heavenly world like an electrical current.   

An imperial clerk, Magistrian, was sent by the emperor on an important errand.  Along the way, Magistrian saw a poor dead man, completely naked.  He was moved with pity, removed his shirt, dressed the dead man, and buried him honorably.  After a while, Magistrian had an unfortunate accident: he fell from his horse and broke his leg, and lay sick in bed for a long time.  On one occasion, several doctors gathered around him to take counsel concerning his illness.  The doctors agreed that his leg would have to be amputated.   

That night Magistrian could not sleep, but grieved and wept.  At midnight a man suddenly appeared in his room and asked him, “Why are you weeping?”  When Magistrian explained his condition, the unknown man then rubbed the infected leg with his hand and the leg was healed.  “For God’s sake, tell me—who are you?” asked Magistrian.  The unknown man replied, “Look at me, and see, is not this your shirt?  I am he whom you saw naked and dead, and whom you dressed in this shirt.  And behold, for your good deed God has sent me to heal you.  Give thanks to God!”

On sinners and penitents

It is necessary to distinguish a sinner from a penitent.  If you have taken it upon yourself to rebuke a sinner, take care that you do not rebuke the penitent also.  The parable of the Prodigal Son demonstrates how dear a repentant sinner is to God.  Therefore, let one who has become dear to God, be very dear to you.

One time, a monk succumbed to sin, for which he was banished from his monastery.  This monk went to St. Anthony, confessed his sin, repented, and remained with Anthony for a period of time.  Then Anthony sent him back again to his monastery, but they did not receive him, and again drove him out. Again, the penitent went to St. Anthony.  Again, Anthony sent him back to the monastery, with a message to the fathers there:  “A ship suffered shipwreck and lost its cargo, and only with great difficulty did that boat reach the harbor—and you want to sink even that which was saved from sinking!”  Hearing this wise message, the fathers received the penitent brother into the monastery with joy.

Wise behavior of the Holy Apostles

For so is the will of God, that with well-doing, ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (I Peter 2:15).

Brethren, it is difficult to argue with an atheist; it is difficult to talk with a madman; it is difficult to persuade an embittered man.  It is difficult to convince an atheist, a madman or an embittered man with words.  You will convince them more easily by deeds.  They may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (I Peter 2:12).  Do good to those who wish to argue with you, and you will win the argument.  One deed of compassion will bring the madman to his senses and will pacify the embittered man more quickly than many hours of conversation.  If atheism, madness and bitterness stem from ignorance, that ignorance is like a rage which can quickly be restrained by good works.  If you argue with an atheist in his own rabid manner, you strengthen the rage of atheism.  If you converse with a madman by derision, the darkness of his madness is increased.  If you think you will overcome an embittered man with anger, you will stir up a greater fire of bitterness.  A meek and good deed is like water on a fire.  Always remember the holy apostles and their successful methods of behavior toward men.  If an atheist provokes you, it is not the man that provokes you but the devil; for man is by nature religious.  If a madman swears at you, it is not the man that swears at you but the devil; for man is by nature reasonable.  If an embittered man persecutes you, it is not the man that persecutes you but the devil; for man is by nature good.  The devil provokes you to lengthy arguments and unfruitful conversations, but he flees from good deeds.  Do good in the name of Christ, and the devil will flee.  Only then will you have dealings with men, with true men; pious, reasonable and good.  Therefore, whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord.

O All-good Lord, help us to do good and by good to conquer in Thy name.  To Thee be glory and praise forever.  Amen. 

Prologue of Ohrid, June 30 entry:  On the power and the efficacy of good works

Meditation on Proverbs 24:17

Rejoice not when your enemy falls; and when he stumbles, let not your heart exult (Proverbs 24:17)

He is a man; do not rejoice in his fall.  He is your brother; let not your heart leap for joy when he stumbles.  God created him for life, and God does not rejocie in his fall.  And you also, do not rejoice at that which grieves God.  When a man falls, God loses; do you rejoice in the loss of your Creator, of your Parent?  When the angels weep, do you rejoice?

When your enemy falls, pray to God for him, that God will save him; and give thanks to God that you did not fall in the same manner.  You are of the same material, both you and he; like two vessels from the hand of the potter.  If one vessel breaks, should the other one smile and rejoice?  Behold, the small stone that broke that vessel only waits for someone's hand to raise it to destroy this vessel also.  Both vessels are of the same material, and a small stone can destroy a hundred vessels.

When one sheep is lost, should the rest of the flock rejoice?  No, they should not.  For behold, the shepherd leavs his flock and, being concerned, goes to seek the lost sheep.  The shepherd's loss is the flock's loss, too.  Therefore, do not rejoice when you enemy falls, for your Shepherd and his Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, do not rejoice in his fall.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Good Shepherd, remove malicious joy from our hearts, and in its place plant compassion and brotherly love.

To Thee be glory and praise forever.  Amen.