Prologue in Sermons: November 19

True Happiness Is Not On Earth, But In Heaven

November 19

(On our Venerable Father Joasaph the Hermit, Son of Abenner, King of India)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

That there is an afterlife can be proven by the fact that nothing earthly can satisfy us, and that no one here can say of themselves that they are completely happy. Indeed, even if you take all the wealth, all the honor and glory in the world, you will still not be satisfied and will always think of some greater, unknown happiness. But does this happiness exist? Obviously, it does; for otherwise, such a deep and constant desire for it would not be implanted within us. But where is it? As you see, it is not on earth — so that means it is in heaven, with God. Yes, brethren, if we would more often delve into the insignificance of all earthly things and, at the same time, into the desires of our immortal spirit, we would soon be convinced that there is an afterlife and that in it alone we can find true happiness and peace.

When the King Abenner of India (then a persecutor of Christians) had a son, Joasaph, he summoned wise men and inquired about his son's fate. The eldest of them gave this opinion: "Your son," he said, "will not inherit your kingdom, but a better one. And I think he will accept the Christian faith." Abenner was saddened and, wishing to prevent this prediction, ordered a beautiful new house built and appointed his son to live there permanently. He also assigned several tutors to his son and strictly instructed them that, when his son began to understand, they were to speak to him of no death, old age, illness, or poverty, but were to speak only of joyful and cheerful things, so that he would never know sorrow. Several years passed, Joasaph grew up, and one day he said to his closest caretaker, "From now on you will be my true friend; only tell me truly, why does my father keep me in this chamber without leaving?" He told him in detail. Soon afterward, seeing his father, Joasaph said, "Know, father, that I am in great sorrow and grief because you do not let me leave the house." Abenner took pity and allowed him to go out, but again ordered the officials assigned to him that his son was not to see the elderly, the poor, the deaf, or the blind, but that all these and similar people were to be driven away from any places through which his son might dare to travel. The command was carried out for a time; but one day, when Joasaph saw those around him driving away a leper and a blind man, he asked in surprise, "What kind of people are these?" They told him that they were unfortunate people who had fallen ill. Joasaph became sad and, dejected, rode home. On the way, he also happened to meet an old man, lame and gray, gloomy in appearance and toothless. "Who is this?" asked Joasaph. He was, they told him, an elderly man — one who was gradually languishing and awaiting death. "Oh, this is a bitter life!" the prince then exclaimed. "Bitter and filled with all sorts of sorrows!" After this, great sorrow did not leave Joasaph, and he asked himself: where is true happiness? This question, however, to his consolation, was soon answered for him. Saint Barlaam, sent to him by a special revelation, proved that true happiness is not on earth, but in heaven, and Joasaph was convinced of this. Convinced, he dedicated himself entirely to God and, having baptized his people, went to Barlaam in the desert. He spent thirty-five years there in fasting, prayer and tears, and then peacefully reposed in the Lord.

Is it not clear, brethren, from this narrative that man cannot be completely happy on earth? Yes, Joasaph, even before he had heard anything about earthly sorrow, was already, as he told his father, in great sorrow and grief. And when he actually saw human grief, he cried out with a wail: "Oh, this life is bitter and filled with all kinds of sorrow!" If we delve deeper into this life, we will say the same thing about it as Joasaph. And if so, then we should be so concerned about nothing on earth as our immortal soul, enriching ourselves with that which will accompany us into eternity — that is, with good deeds — and most of all, remembering that he is a terrible enemy to himself who takes no care to prepare himself for the future life. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.