Prologue in Sermons: April 19

Our Firmness in the Faith Causes Even our Enemies to Respect Us

April 19

(A word from the Paterikon about the widow whom the prince had mercy on because of the humility of her son.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Why is it, brethren, that it often happens that even many good Christians avoid us, do not fulfill our requests, and despise us? It often happens because good Christians see in us bad Christians who do not keep the commandments of God; they see us limping on both knees. But if we were to live differently, if we showed before all our firm faith and a life according to faith, then things would be different.

A certain poor old woman had two children: a son and a daughter. The son went off to become a monk, but the daughter, because of poverty, committed some crime, and the prince, the ruler of the city, wanted to put her to death according to the law. The mother tore her hair and, coming to the prince, said to him in despair: “I beg you, prince: if you put my daughter to death, then kill me with her; for without her there is no one to bring me even water to drink, and I cannot live without her. I had one son, but he too went off to the monastery, and now lives there, leading a holy life.” The prince said to her: “Bring here your son, of whom you say that he is holy. Let him entreat for his sister; then I will release her.” The old woman went to her son and told him the prince’s will. The monk-son answered her: “Believe me, my mother, that even if the prince kills you with your daughter, even then I will not leave the monastery, for I have died to the world.” After this the mother at first pleaded with her son for a long time, but then, seeing that nothing helped, she reproached him bitterly and afterward told everything to the prince. The prince again said to her: “Bring here your son, the monk, whom you yourself call holy.” She answered: “No, my lord, he is not holy and does not know God; for I begged him long to go to you, but he said to me: ‘Even if you and my sister were condemned to death, I would not go; for before you I have died to the world.’” The prince marveled at the firm faith of the monk and became convinced that he was a great servant of God. And he said to the mother: “Believe me, old woman, if you had brought the monk here, I would by no means have released your daughter. But since he did not come here, I am convinced that he is a great man before the Lord. Take your daughter and go with God. I believe that your son is praying for me.”

Thus, brethren, if we live according to the commandments of God, have firm faith, and show that we are Christians not in word but in deed, then the attitude of good Christians toward us would be different; they would not avoid us, but would themselves come to meet us, and in time of need would never abandon us but would help us. You heard what the prince said to the mother: “Believe me, old woman, if you had brought the monk, I would by no means have released your daughter. But since he did not come, I am convinced that your son is a great man before the Lord.” So the good life of the monk bore good fruit both for himself and for his mother.

Therefore follow the example of such people, and the mercy of the Lord will remain with you also. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.