The Month of September
The 20th Day
21. Why the Lord Permits the Godly to Suffer in This Age
(From the Life of the Holy Great Martyr Eustathios Plakidas)
The 20th Day
21. Why the Lord Permits the Godly to Suffer in This Age
(From the Life of the Holy Great Martyr Eustathios Plakidas)
Many people, when they see a person suffering whom they consider to be a sinner, ordinarily say, “He deserves it!” But when they see a godly person suffering, they are perplexed, troubled, and think: “He has done nothing to anyone except good; he lived righteously. Why, then, does God punish him? Does God really not see his sufferings? And why does He not deliver him from them?” What should we say to these many people concerning such thoughts of theirs?
First of all, we should say that when they see even someone whom they consider a sinner suffering, they must never fall into the sin of judgment and say, “He deserves it!” The life of every person and the dispositions of his heart are known by God alone. And when they see a righteous person suffering, even then they should not be troubled and say, “Why is he suffering?” We say this to the many who judge the misfortunes of the righteous and sinners, so that they may know that with God everything is not arranged according to their reasoning, but everything is arranged wisely, and everything, including the sufferings sent to the righteous, serves for their salvation and blessedness.
When the Holy Great Martyr Eustathios Plakidas received Holy Baptism with his wife and two sons, he first of all gave thanks to God for the great mercy shown to him, and then wholly surrendered himself to the holy and perfect will of God. Such a disposition of soul in Eustathios after receiving Baptism was pleasing to the Lord, and the Lord began to speak with him. The Lord said to him: “Eustathios, you must manifest the fervor of your faith, hope, and love for Me. Faith, hope, and love are not made known through temporal riches and vain prosperity, but through poverty and tribulations. Therefore, you will endure many sorrows and will be tested by misfortunes, like another Job, so that, having been tested by them as gold in the furnace, through them you may become worthy of Me and receive a crown from My hands.” Eustathios answered: “Behold, I am before You, O Lord; do with me as You will, and I am ready to receive everything with thanksgiving from Your hand. I believe that You are good and merciful, that You chastise with mercy as a father; therefore, how could I refuse to receive paternal chastisement from Your merciful hands? Yes, I am ready, as Your servant, to endure and bear everything that You lay upon me; only do not leave me without Your almighty help!”
When the Holy Great Martyr Eustathios Plakidas received Holy Baptism with his wife and two sons, he first of all gave thanks to God for the great mercy shown to him, and then wholly surrendered himself to the holy and perfect will of God. Such a disposition of soul in Eustathios after receiving Baptism was pleasing to the Lord, and the Lord began to speak with him. The Lord said to him: “Eustathios, you must manifest the fervor of your faith, hope, and love for Me. Faith, hope, and love are not made known through temporal riches and vain prosperity, but through poverty and tribulations. Therefore, you will endure many sorrows and will be tested by misfortunes, like another Job, so that, having been tested by them as gold in the furnace, through them you may become worthy of Me and receive a crown from My hands.” Eustathios answered: “Behold, I am before You, O Lord; do with me as You will, and I am ready to receive everything with thanksgiving from Your hand. I believe that You are good and merciful, that You chastise with mercy as a father; therefore, how could I refuse to receive paternal chastisement from Your merciful hands? Yes, I am ready, as Your servant, to endure and bear everything that You lay upon me; only do not leave me without Your almighty help!”
After this, Eustathios again heard the voice of God, and the Lord said to him: “Do you wish to accept tribulations now, or in the last days of your life?” Eustathios answered: “If it is impossible for temptations to pass me by, then let them come upon me now; only, I ask You again, send Your help, so that evil may not overcome me and tear me away from Your love!” The Lord said: “Take courage, Eustathios! May My grace, which protects you, be with you. And when you have attained perfection in humility, then I will exalt you and glorify you in Heaven before My Angels; and I will also honor you before men. After the many tribulations that you will endure, I will comfort you and restore to you your former rank. But rejoice not in temporal honors, but in the fact that your name is written in the book of life.”
Thus Saint Eustathios, conversing with God and receiving revelations from Him, was filled with spiritual joy and grace and was divinely inflamed with love. And what happened to him afterward? It should be known that he was a Roman military commander, possessed immense wealth and many slaves, and was famous and renowned. But then sorrow upon sorrow and trouble upon trouble began to pursue him. First of all, death entered his household; then evil men came and robbed him, and he became a poor and helpless wanderer. A robber took away his good and pious wife; wild beasts carried off his two sons, and Eustathios was left alone with his grief. What could have been more terrible than his condition? Yet he was not overcome by it. Having nothing on earth, he turned himself wholly toward God, and God comforted him. The time came, and he became even richer and more distinguished; he found, by a wondrous act of God's preservation, his wife and children alive, and afterward received such grace and mercy from the Lord that he was also deemed worthy of a martyr's crown.
Is it not true, then, that everything, including the sufferings sent to the righteous, serves for their salvation and for their blessedness? Yes. What did the Lord say to Eustathios? “You will see many tribulations and will be tested by misfortunes, like Job, so that, having been tested by them as gold in the furnace, you may become pleasing to Me and receive a crown from My hands! ... I will exalt you in Heaven before My Angels and honor you before men.” And the words of the Lord, as you have seen, were completely fulfilled. Therefore, there is no reason to be troubled even when we see that a righteous person is suffering. From the example just given, we must all become convinced of that great truth: the righteous suffer so that their patience may be glorified through the greatest rewards, so that, having been chastised for a little while, they may afterward be blessed with great blessings, and finally, in exchange for temporary sorrow, receive everlasting blessedness. Yes, let us always remember that with God everything is wisely ordered and that everything serves for our salvation and for our blessedness. Amen.
Questions for Discussion 21
1. According to the words of the Lord, what did Eustathios need to manifest fervor in?
2. According to the words of the Lord, through what are faith, hope, and love made known?
3. According to Eustathios' words, with what was he ready to accept everything from the hand of the Lord?
4. What did Eustathios ask the Lord to send him so that evil would not overcome him and tear him away from the Lord's love?
5. According to the words of the Lord, when will He exalt Eustathios and glorify him in Heaven before His Angels?
Is it not true, then, that everything, including the sufferings sent to the righteous, serves for their salvation and for their blessedness? Yes. What did the Lord say to Eustathios? “You will see many tribulations and will be tested by misfortunes, like Job, so that, having been tested by them as gold in the furnace, you may become pleasing to Me and receive a crown from My hands! ... I will exalt you in Heaven before My Angels and honor you before men.” And the words of the Lord, as you have seen, were completely fulfilled. Therefore, there is no reason to be troubled even when we see that a righteous person is suffering. From the example just given, we must all become convinced of that great truth: the righteous suffer so that their patience may be glorified through the greatest rewards, so that, having been chastised for a little while, they may afterward be blessed with great blessings, and finally, in exchange for temporary sorrow, receive everlasting blessedness. Yes, let us always remember that with God everything is wisely ordered and that everything serves for our salvation and for our blessedness. Amen.
Questions for Discussion 21
1. According to the words of the Lord, what did Eustathios need to manifest fervor in?
2. According to the words of the Lord, through what are faith, hope, and love made known?
3. According to Eustathios' words, with what was he ready to accept everything from the hand of the Lord?
4. What did Eustathios ask the Lord to send him so that evil would not overcome him and tear him away from the Lord's love?
5. According to the words of the Lord, when will He exalt Eustathios and glorify him in Heaven before His Angels?
Source: The Cheti-Minei: Homilies for Every Day of the Year (Book 1: September, October, November) by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. Publication of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, 1896. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
