Prologue in Sermons: March 16

 

One Should Not Be Troubled When We See That Sinners Sometimes Prosper In This Life While The Righteous Suffer

March 16

(From the Words of Saint John Chrysostom: “For whom the Lord loves, He chastens.”)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

The sorrowful life of the righteous on earth, and the apparently happy life of sinners, often lead us to reflection: why do the former suffer, and why do the latter prosper? Does the Lord really not see the sufferings and virtues of the former? Does He not know of the sins of the latter, and does He have no punishment prepared for them? How, after this, are we to understand the justice of God?

Here is how Saint Chrysostom answers this:

“If,” he says, “you see a sinner healthy and rich, do not be astonished at this; for he has done some small good deed, and therefore he receives his reward for it here. But there, like the rich man in the Gospel, he will hear that voice: ‘Child, remember that you received your good things in your lifetime.’

And when you see a righteous man enduring misfortunes and sorrows, rejoice for him; for through these he is being purified here from sins, and there he will go to great joy.

Why are you troubled by the sorrowful life of the saints? Remember that those who endure sufferings here for the sake of the Lord will dwell in the Heavenly Kingdom; but evil usurers, thieves, robbers, and slanderers, although they live here in abundance, there must await eternal torment.

An example of this is the same rich man of the Gospel, to whom Abraham said: ‘You, child, received your good things in your lifetime, and Lazarus evil things; therefore he is comforted here, and you are tormented in this flame.’

Listen to what good things the rich man received: wealth, health, luxurious food, power, glory, great honor, and respect from everyone.

And what about Lazarus? Did he not also sin? Yes, he too had small sins. But while the rich man was receiving earthly blessings for his small good deed, at the same time Lazarus endured sorrows for his small sins. And for this reason, after death, the one is comforted, while the other suffers.

Therefore, brethren,” continues the universal teacher, “if you see a righteous man suffering illnesses and misfortunes here, rejoice for him; for having been purified here from sins, he will go there to God pure. And if his misfortunes increase, then together with them his reward also increases.

So it was with the righteous Job, who kept the commandments of God blamelessly, yet how many sufferings and afflictions he endured here! And for what purpose? That he might receive greater honor there.

But let the wicked live in health and not suffer misfortunes — do not envy them, but weep for them, for the sword of judgment is being prepared for them.

Thus Esau became rich while living wickedly, while the righteous Jacob endured many sorrows. And David, though he was a prophet of God, spent all his life in labors and troubles. Yet his son Solomon, who reigned forty years, had peace with all, glory, honor, wisdom, and understanding beyond all others. But what benefit was that great wisdom to him when he abandoned God and fell into idolatry?

Likewise, did the teaching of the Lord and His many miracles benefit Judas when in the end he destroyed himself by hanging?

Therefore it is not what begins well that is good, but what ends well. And only he can be called truly blessed who completes his struggle to the end.”

Thus, this is why many of the saints suffer here and many of the wicked prosper: the former so that they may be purified even from small sins and receive a greater reward from God — and also so that after earthly sorrows they may feel even more strongly the sweetness of heavenly joys.

As for the latter, although they prosper because of the long-suffering of God, who awaits their repentance — woe to them if they do not repent! In the next world they will be repaid according to their deeds.

But do they truly prosper even now? Oh, what kind of prosperity can there be when a man has an unclean conscience, when he expects the sword of God over his head every moment, and when eternal torment awaits him?

No — this happiness of the ungodly only appears so to us. In reality it never exists. And the sinner, however happy his life may seem to us, in reality resembles a sick and withering tree, which outwardly may sometimes appear green, but inwardly is eaten away by worms and, if not today then tomorrow, is cut down and cast into the fire. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.