It Is Not Always Possible to Judge Others Correctly by Ourselves
February 9
(From a saying of the Paterikon about a certain monk who had formerly been a nobleman at the court of the emperor in Rome.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
February 9
(From a saying of the Paterikon about a certain monk who had formerly been a nobleman at the court of the emperor in Rome.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
It sometimes happens that pious people, who please God by various ascetic labors, become troubled when they see around them other people who are also pious, but who, in their opinion, labor less for the Lord than they do. They become disturbed and think: “Why do they not struggle as we do? Why do they not bear such ascetic labors as we bear? What kind of God-fearers are they? Why are they considered righteous?” and so forth. Such judgment, brethren, is mistaken; for God is pleased not only by ascetic labors visible to us, but chiefly by an inward disposition toward Him, known to Him alone. Moreover, one cannot demand identical labors from everyone, because not all have been given the same means, strength, or capacity to bear them. Finally, one’s position in the world and one’s upbringing also play a great role here.
Once, one of the foremost nobles of the Roman emperor abandoned the world for God and settled in the Egyptian desert of Scetis, taking with him only a single servant. He lived in Scetis for twenty-five years and by his piety earned special respect from the Egyptian Fathers. One of them, wishing to see the ascetic personally and to receive benefit for his soul, once came to him and curiously began to examine both the man himself and his cell. And what did he see? He saw an elder clothed in soft garments and wearing shoes; he saw in his cell a bed covered with a skin and a pillow. This tempted the visitor. Meanwhile, the host ordered hot food and wine to be served for the meal. By this the visitor was tempted even more and, having received no benefit, he went away sorrowful.
But the clairvoyant elder-noble understood him and, wishing to instruct him, immediately sent his servant to bring him back. “From where are you, father?” he asked his guest. “From Egypt,” the latter replied. “And from what town?” the host continued. “I am a simple villager,” answered the guest, “and lived in the countryside.” “And what did you sleep on, and what kind of bed did you have?” “I slept on the ground,” replied the visitor, “and had no bed.” “And what food did you eat, and did you ever drink wine?” the elder asked further. “I ate only dry bread and drank only water.” “And did you ever bathe in a bathhouse?” “Other than the river, I knew no bath,” answered the monk.
Having finished his questions, the nobleman said to the elder: “I have listened to you; now listen to me. I am from Rome and was a close counselor to the emperor,” he began. The guest gave him his full attention. “And so,” continued the elder, “for the sake of God I left the world, riches, and glory and came to this desert. In Rome I occupied a magnificent house and possessed immense wealth, but now, as you see, I live in a poor hut. My bed was of gold and covered with precious fabrics; now I have only this poor couch and a skin upon it. I wore costly garments, and now I have only this one wretched robe. At my banquets all kinds of dishes were served, but now I eat only this poor greenery and, because of illness, drink this small cup of wine. In Rome I had many slaves, but now the Lord has left me only this one old man to serve me. I also constantly listened to music, and my hearing was delighted by trumpets, timbrels, and harps; now I sing only twelve psalms. Therefore, do not be tempted by me.”
Then the monk exclaimed: “Woe is me for my judgment! I came from great sorrow in my former life into rest, but you came from great rest into sorrow, and from great glory and wealth into humility and poverty!” After this he departed from the elder with great benefit for himself, became his friend, and began to visit him often.
What do you think now, brethren: which of these two showed greater self-denial for God — the noble elder or his guest? Certainly the former; for he was clairvoyant and filled with the Holy Spirit, as the author of his life relates. And yet he wore soft clothing, had a bed covered with a skin, and drank wine; while the monk who visited him lived almost on roots alone and did not know at all what footwear or a bed was. What follows from this? That everyone should know only himself and not judge others. Do not boast before others of your deeds, but rather seek out in yourself these and other shortcomings and train yourself in humility. On the other hand, let everyone also remember that gifts are given differently to each person and according to his strength; and likewise that God judges a person not only by actions visible to us, but by his inner disposition hidden from us and by his secret labors. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
