What Benefit the Remembrance of Death Brings Us
February 27
(From the Teachings of Saint John Chrysostom on Death)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
February 27
(From the Teachings of Saint John Chrysostom on Death)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Both the word of God and the Holy Fathers teach us that reflection upon death brings great benefit to us. The wise Sirach says: “Remember your end, and you will never sin” (Sirach 7:36). Likewise, Saint John Chrysostom teaches: “Keep death always before your eyes; for by reflecting upon it, you will not sin.”
Thus teach both Holy Scripture and the Holy Father - but is this truly so?
Saint John Chrysostom says:
“I beseech you, brethren, continually keep death before your eyes! Reflecting upon it, you will not sin. For we do not know at what hour the Lord will come to judgment. Shall we appear before Him unprepared and uncleansed from sins?
Consider: where are our fathers, our brothers, and our relatives? All have departed into eternity, whither we ourselves must go — if not today, then tomorrow.
Let us prepare for the eternal journey by repenting of the sins formerly committed, mourning for them, and asking forgiveness from God. Now is the time for repentance; afterward it will be too late to repent.
Remember that when the soul is separated from the body, Angels and demons will stand before us, revealing the sins we committed by day and by night, knowingly and unknowingly. Everything will be presented — what we have done from childhood until our final breath — in word, deed, and thought.
All will be written for our accusation. Everything will be shown to us in images and likenesses, as by skilled painters. The demons will take the form of our deeds and will point them out to us: how we went to fornication, or to theft, or to other sins, and thus they will expose us.
Nor shall we be able to deny our sins when we behold them before us, if they have not been cleansed through repentance and warm tears. What we say is no falsehood, but pure truth. Therefore do not be negligent concerning your salvation, remembering that whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”
Yes, brethren, there is much truth in the words concerning death spoken both by Sirach and by Saint John Chrysostom. Indeed, meditation upon death brings benefit — great benefit — to a person. For how can one give himself to sin when, reflecting upon death, he beholds before his mind the Dread Judgment and the sins committed from youth in word, deed, and thought?
O Lord, what terror there shall be before the burning furnace for all who fear Your unbearable Judgment!
Truly, brethren, remembrance of death plants the fear of God within our hearts, turns us away from sin, and kindles zeal for virtue.
Let us therefore remember this and diligently apply ourselves to meditation upon death: “Remember your end, and you will never sin.” Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
