Chrysostom
Beloved
Your affliction is great, and your heart cries out for relief. But hear what is written: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." If you wish your neighbors to cease their torment, have you first sought their good? Have you prayed not only for your own deliverance, but for their souls? Prayer is a mighty weapon, yet without works it rusts in the hand.
Rise early, make supplication with tears, and then go forth and seek their welfare in whatever way you can, if not in word, then in silent kindness. For love never fails, and it means bearing all things, enduring all things. You say they know what they do and do it more when you complain. Then cease to complain, and instead commit them to God, who sees in secret.
Do not let their malice steal your peace, for the peace Christ gives is not as the world gives. If you can do nothing outward, still you may keep the inner fortress. But also examine yourself: are you entirely without fault? Have you perhaps in your distress returned evil for evil, even in thought?
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged." Yet I know your pain is consuming. You say you have no one to talk to. Then pour out your soul before the Lord alone, but do not neglect the prayers of the Church. Have you asked the brethren to intercede?
For even the apostle Peter, when imprisoned, was delivered by the fervent prayer of the faithful. But let not your request be only for your own ease; pray for those who misuse you, that they may be saved. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to come to the knowledge of the truth. Consider, too, that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding weight of glory.
Endure as seeing Him who is invisible. I do not tell you this lightly; I know what it is to suffer. But if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. Therefore, arm yourself with patience and with love, which is the bond of perfectness.
Give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Trust not in the removal of the trial, but seek to be made perfect through it. And if your present state is unbearable, consider even now if there is any honorable way you might find respite, while still keeping charity. But above all, keep your heart from bitterness, for that is a worm that devours the soul.
I will pray with you, and yet I urge you: let your own prayer be joined with a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price before God.
Rise early, make supplication with tears, and then go forth and seek their welfare in whatever way you can, if not in word, then in silent kindness. For love never fails, and it means bearing all things, enduring all things. You say they know what they do and do it more when you complain. Then cease to complain, and instead commit them to God, who sees in secret.
Do not let their malice steal your peace, for the peace Christ gives is not as the world gives. If you can do nothing outward, still you may keep the inner fortress. But also examine yourself: are you entirely without fault? Have you perhaps in your distress returned evil for evil, even in thought?
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged." Yet I know your pain is consuming. You say you have no one to talk to. Then pour out your soul before the Lord alone, but do not neglect the prayers of the Church. Have you asked the brethren to intercede?
For even the apostle Peter, when imprisoned, was delivered by the fervent prayer of the faithful. But let not your request be only for your own ease; pray for those who misuse you, that they may be saved. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to come to the knowledge of the truth. Consider, too, that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding weight of glory.
Endure as seeing Him who is invisible. I do not tell you this lightly; I know what it is to suffer. But if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. Therefore, arm yourself with patience and with love, which is the bond of perfectness.
Give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Trust not in the removal of the trial, but seek to be made perfect through it. And if your present state is unbearable, consider even now if there is any honorable way you might find respite, while still keeping charity. But above all, keep your heart from bitterness, for that is a worm that devours the soul.
I will pray with you, and yet I urge you: let your own prayer be joined with a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price before God.
