Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You pour out such passionate words for a wandering creature, yet where is your soul's care? If you truly believe the Lord deals bountifully with you, why this frantic sorrow? Do you imagine the blood of Jesus is a charm to compel a cat's return, while your own heart remains untended? That precious blood was shed for the cleansing of your sins, not to answer every fleeting wish. You cry for the animal's safety, but neglect the far greater peril of your own soul, which you expose to the fire of hell by such disorderly affections.
Be instructed: the earth from which you came is full of such small losses. If you cannot even trust God with a dumb beast, how will you face the judgment? Do not be overmeddling about things beyond your control. God's works are perfect; He needs no correction from you. Would you add your own stitch to the Emperor's image? Then how dare you amend God's providence with your clamor? The cat's absence is no proof of His neglect, any more than her presence would be of His favor. You ask where she is, but I ask, where is your faith?
Cast off this ridiculous clothing of anxiety. It yields no profit, only beatings within and accusations without. Let the cat go where He wills; you cannot secure her safety by constant worry, and even if she returns, your soul will still be in chains. Instead, look to the sisters and brothers who have lost all, yet kept their piety with great strictness. They are the conquerors. Repay the lovingkindness of God not by words alone, but by works: take careful heed to the state of your soul. For that is the return He seeks, and that brings you round again all profit. Do not make yourself unseemly, trading eternal treasure for a few nights' peace. Sail by the divine Scriptures as a safe vessel, fastened by the sacred anchor of faith. Let your soul return to its rest; the Lord has dealt bountifully with you far more than with any creature. Amen.
Be instructed: the earth from which you came is full of such small losses. If you cannot even trust God with a dumb beast, how will you face the judgment? Do not be overmeddling about things beyond your control. God's works are perfect; He needs no correction from you. Would you add your own stitch to the Emperor's image? Then how dare you amend God's providence with your clamor? The cat's absence is no proof of His neglect, any more than her presence would be of His favor. You ask where she is, but I ask, where is your faith?
Cast off this ridiculous clothing of anxiety. It yields no profit, only beatings within and accusations without. Let the cat go where He wills; you cannot secure her safety by constant worry, and even if she returns, your soul will still be in chains. Instead, look to the sisters and brothers who have lost all, yet kept their piety with great strictness. They are the conquerors. Repay the lovingkindness of God not by words alone, but by works: take careful heed to the state of your soul. For that is the return He seeks, and that brings you round again all profit. Do not make yourself unseemly, trading eternal treasure for a few nights' peace. Sail by the divine Scriptures as a safe vessel, fastened by the sacred anchor of faith. Let your soul return to its rest; the Lord has dealt bountifully with you far more than with any creature. Amen.
