About Humility, with Fr. Arsenie Papacioc

- Do they say anything about access to happiness?
- Well, of course… to happiness, too; the Savior handed us down His teachings and in addition to the fact that one must be «poor in spirit», He also told us what that entailed, to encourage us.
- Poor in spirit – does that mean stupid?
- Not stupid – humble! By the way, did you know that in the older editions, «humble» was actually termed «stupid»?
- Why stupid? Do stupid people have fewer ideas?… Are they less…?
- No!… They would use that term for a person who is more innocent… not stupid.
- More like children?
- Yes. You see? For that is what humble means. If a person is humble and someone else «pushes him around», he keeps quiet. He will keep to himself, he won’t go beyond his «boundaries». That is humility; the art of “knowing your place”, of limiting yourself to who you are. Why would you «step out» of it? You see what I mean? That is what «poor in spirit» means – humble by all means.
- Yes. But then He says…
- The Saviour had that quiet kind of behaviour. A brother once went to a Father who lived in the desert – who was a fallen man – to live beside him, although he knew about the elder’s state. And that Father would beat him up. Another another hermit saw what was going on and said to himself: “Either the apprentice is insensitive, or he is a great practicing monk”, as he could clearly see that the brother was in pain. So the Father would beat him up and the brother would keep quiet, he would just suffer through it all. One day, this other hermit went to him and asked him some questions, to test him. He asked him:
“Brother, haven’t you received any wreathes today?” “No, Father, I haven’t – but I have received another beating though.” He showed him his bruises… and when the hermit saw that the brother was all too aware of what was going on, he realized that the brother was “poor in spirit”. You see? So there. But where do you think this brother sat, on the scale of the practicing monks? He was on top of that ladder… He was not stupid…
- He was spiritually high!
- Well, yes, of course – but humble. This man would humble himself. Another one did the same thing – only this man was very sinful – thinking the same thing: “Let me go to a bad Father”, because he wanted to suffer and “sacrifice” himself. And in the meantime he was praying, asking God to be able to fulfill all his duties next to that Father. And [he found him] and the situation was similar; the Father would torment him and beat him up. Now another neighbouring hermit had a vision of a very long list of sins that this brother had, some of which were erased by half, while others were still visible. So they were that brother’s sins. The hermit went to him and told him: “Oh, my brother, you have yet another period like this one, to go through. Go on, don’t give up!” Which meant that the brother was to go through a period that would equal the first one, since the hermit had seen that only half of his sins had been erased. And the brother replied: “Alright, Father, I will not give up.” You see, these were humble people, who would carry their cross. Moreover, Christ Himself humbled Himself.
They say a stranger once knocked on our Saviour’s door. “Who is there?” The man answered: “It’s me, Your greatly practicing monk”. “I won’t let you in”, the Saviour replied. And the monk was wondering - he had been honest, he had worked hard… “Why hasn’t He received me?!” He reanalyzed himself and then went back and knocked at the door again. “Who is there?” He said: “It’s You!” “If you are Me, come in, then! For now you are as humble as I am.” The first time, he had presented himself: “It’s me!”. I mean, who was he, when God astonished the heavens, the angels, with His humility? We do not have enough words to hope to describe Christ’s humility.
Excerpt from the book “Iată Duhovnicul: părintele Arsenie Papacioc” (“Behold the Confessor: Fr. Arsenie Papacioc”)

Fr. Arsenio ,Don’t Judge Priests

     

Criticism is allowed, but passing judgement upon priests isn’t. As the saying goes, to criticize someone or someone’s work is to put a wreath upon it [and that is a good thing]. But to judge a person belonging to the clergy, to judge in a context where everyone tends to criticize precisely because the clergy are the ones who emanate the power and Grace of God and everyone points at them all the time… well, let us not forget they are human, too. Moreover, they have the possibility to save themselves more easily than you, because they have the Grace and the Church mysteries and works/duties than have been given to them — and last but not least, they must have some conscience, too!, don’t you think?
And let me tell you this – no clergyman becomes so without the will of God. God directs such a person’s life.
But we are going back to our earlier point: we tend to criticize everyone else but ourselves!
Think about it – when you go up there and meet Christ and it is shown that you judged the priest – that he did that instead of the other, or whatever. Things of that sort… so what you did was to judge the priest’s deeds and movements through life and that is a big mistake.
I’m telling you this once again: no matter what sort of cup you drink your wine from – whether it’s crystal or pottery, it’s still wine that you’re drinking. One drinks wine from the Holy Chalice, which contains the Holy Blood and Body of our Saviour. Because it is not the priest’s worthiness that is responsible for the wonderful transformations that take place then, when the wine changes into the Holy Blood and the bread into the Holy Body of Christ — but God’s Grace!
So, whether he is worthy or unworthy, the priest’s work depends on Grace, not on anything else. So don’t rush to judge him, because you’re making an enormous mistake. And here I must get back to a previous question – you should not judge anyone, not even some terrible murderer – let alone a priest! Why should you intrude in his life so! You will be condemned much more seriously because of that. You have come to Christ? Pray to Christ, to help him.
My dear ones, I repeat: we are responsible for all the mistakes that are done in this world – we are personally responsible for them, every one of us. There. So we must have this attitude of sacrifice. Because the Mystery of man’s salvation, for everyone of us, is carried out on the Cross. What we should understand from that is that the Cross is the earth’s greatest gift, of the greatest utility.
So what should your “sacrifice” be? Sacrifice your judging the other one because of some mistake s/he has made. And if you go as far as judging people within the Church wherein dwells the Grace of God and you judge the priest, you are making a terrible, terrible mistake! Make it a habit, all of you, to see Christ when you look at the Church, because there’s a prayer that the priest reads before the Heruvikon, which goes like this: “because You are the One Who brings, the One Who brings Yourself, the One Who is received, and the One Who is shared.” So what is the priest if he is in charge with such things? …It’s like… “Yes, but without you, my priest, I cannot do these things”, Christ replies – not without the Grace of priesthood. And, ok, maybe that guy isn’t a terribly sophisticated person, as a priest, but he does have the Grace, and that is a divine thing. So you condemn yourself terribly if you judge him. He is responsible for his deeds; but you, on the other hand, you will be held terribly responsible for your deeds and his deeds, too, because you have judged him.
There was this great hermit who one day, received the visit of a believer from his village, who had come to see him in the wilderness. In the hermit’s village was this very sinful man. The hermit asked the visitor: “Has that X fellow changed his ways or he’s just as I used to know him?” The man answered: “He hasn’t changed, Father.” And the hermit uttered only an: “Oh!” The next day, an angel came to the hermit and asked him: “God has sent me to ask you: where should He put the soul of that man, who just died last night – in Heaven or in Hell? Because you have judged him.” The hermit lamented and repented for the rest of his life to receive a sign of God’s forgiveness and still had none. And the man that he had judged had been a big sinner indeed! But he had judged him.
“God, please, have mercy for him. God, please protect him.”, he should have said instead. I repeat and I stress this, and please forgive me for being repetitive: WE are guilty for the other people’s mistakes. The whole tragedy of humanity depends on the mess in our own lives.
Because if one talks about love, it’s love! There is no going around it. Look at things as they truly are. It’s like: I am a human being, with hands, fingers etc, there is no question about it whatsoever. With a heart, too! One cannot go around these things. The Christian teaching is about the integrity of the human being. So we are not to negotiate a whole series of things that can pull us behind – or stall our lives. I’m telling you – this judging of others that we do is so serious that (I think I have written it somewhere, too) I believe that most of the souls who are in hell are people who have badmouthed others. They all excuse themselves by saying: “But I’m not the only one who badmouths.” or: “Doesn’t s/he deserve to be judged?” No. If someone is guilty, you, too, are guilty for his guilt, because you haven’t prayed for him – and, of course, if you have judged him, you have made an even bigger mistake.

Fr. Arsenie Papacioc, How Can We Bear Witness, Today?

How Can We Bear Witness, Today?

Father, how can we witness Christ nowadays?
- It’s very simple. Especially today, when Christ has so many adversaries. My dear ones, what we lack today is love for our neighbour – and THAT is our “homework”: “Do you say you love Me? Then give to the poor…” You know, it’s like Christ is telling us: “We will meet again, and it is I Who will ask you questions, and it will be more difficult for you then”.
And there’s no need for the world to know that I’m giving this shirt, for example, to someone; or a penny; or that I’m feeding a dog.
Let me tell you what happened to me once. A man was smoking on a sidewalk one day and there was this stray dog that was looking at his hand; he was following the movements of his hand – he thought the man was eating. Poor animal! – what I would have given him, since I could see the real problem! But I’m saying this about a man – as little as you have, give him something. Even if you don’t have much yourself, either. At least live in that state of mind, in that willigness to live the moment as you should do.
How would anyone dare to say that he did not know that he should have given to his neighbour – that he should have fed the hungry one?
You hurt someone? Let me tell you this: you hurt Christ. It doesn’t matter if that person is full of scab! or sins – you should know this: he is not there, near you, for nothing! There is a reason for everything. So you either avoid the situation, or you put it to good use. Therefore, life is worth living it right [every minute of it].
I once met someone – he had 56 suits. He would not have had time to wear them all!… For [the Scripture says] “You, fool, tonight your soul will be required of you”. If everything you have, you have FROM ME – since no hair on your head will move without my will -, well, I have also given you this command: take care of the poor.
Fr. Arsenie Papacioc in a televised programme on Romanian Orthodox TV channel, “Trinitas”, today, December 31, 2010

A Few More Words of Advice from Fr. Arsenie

A Few More Words of Advice from Fr. Arsenie

Father, can we overcome hardship?
- You can, if you want. You cannot do anything, if you don’t want to. Love thy neighbour! Well, not like you would love your own wife and children – nobody asks you that. But don’t harm him. THAT is an act of love. Because you don’t realise – if you want to shake heaven and earth, how much power lies in the simple fact of saying: “God, please forgive him!”
Everyone will realise then how important it is for one not to hate, in this world. If you can help someone – and also feel sorry for your own lack of control and proper Christian attitude – then fine.
How does one get one’s peace of heart?
- Let us fulfill Christ’s word; let us follow Christ. [And think about our guardian angel] – our guardian angel is given to us by God; he has unspeakable beauty! [To think that some say there are no angels, and no devils, and no God.] But what if there is God? What have you got to lose? Think about it that way: what if there is this great chasm and a narrow bridge over it – and there’s someone who says that there is nothing there (as the chasm is covered up with leaves and all you can see is a harmless path) – what do you do then? You must cross over to the other side, because — what if it’s all true? It is NOT WORTH risking your life by not believing. One can risk one’s money, one’s reputation – but not one’s life.
And that’s confessor father’s advice, I’m telling you. [smiling]
Fr. Arsenie Papacioc in a televised programme on Romanian Orthodox TV channel, “Trinitas”, December 31, 2010

Fr. Arsenie Papacioc, About the Mother of God

About the Mother of God

- We know that you have great respect for the Theotokos, Father; would you please tell us a few words about her.
- Oh, the Mother of God! I’ll tell you this: a young girl, who led a good Christian life and was very earnest in her faith, once addressed herself to the Holy Theotokos: “Holy Mother of God, please show your mother’s love towards me.” – and the Theotokos replied to her: “Show your daughter’s love towards me”. That was her answer. So be the Mother of God’s sons and you will see the results.
Consider the Mother of God’s importance. The Lady of the heavens and earth! What God can do through His power, His Mother can do through her prayer. She stands by every Christian, for anyone who needs her.
There is no prayer, no matter how small – but said from the heart, of course – that the Mother of God does not lend her ear to, that she will not bow to hear.
You see – God sits in the glory of heavens, but He will enjoy dwelling in a Christian’s heart, by descending into it. Let alone the Mother of God! – who is a created being. Have unflinching faith in the Mother of God, every one of you.
Amen.
Fr. Arsenie Papacioc

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Fr. Arsenie Papacioc , About Prayer

About Prayer

Interview with Fr. Arsenie Papacioc of Techirghiol monastery, Romania
- What is prayer, Father?
- Prayer is, in fact, everything. Prayer is having your heart inside God’s heart. This is a sort of education that one must “impose” upon oneself – to be present with one’s heart inside God, no matter whatever else the person happens to be saying during that time. Prayer is deep silence and a state that surpasses human imagination. It is talking with God – but not with human words. It is something that goes completely beyond oneself. Prayer is necessary… prayer is our life (and by saying this last bit I’ve just “lowered” somewhat the level of our discussion here).
- Can man acquire prayer without having a Spiritual Father?
- Absolutely. When I was a child, I used to ask my mother, when I was looking at the sheep we had and see her move her leg in a funny way before going to sleep: “Why does she move her leg like that, mother?” – and my mother would answer: “She’s making the sign of the cross, my son”. [*laughs*] So the idea was – why wouldn’t I pray, too; you see?…
My dear Sir, God has made us only for Himself. And it would have been impossible for Him not to endow us with something that would help us communicate with Him. Prayer is not only mere talk. Prayer is something permanent; it’s like our names. I bear a certain name and I bear it at all times! – including when I walk, talk, or whatever. My name is always the same, isn’t it? That is, my name is X (whatever our name is) — and I am a Christian.
Now, of course, with people who work on prayer diligently, the gifts that it brings become deeper – as there are situations when, as we were talking earlier, one has a “thorn” (a problem) in one’s life, that cannot be “taken out” in any other way but with God’s help. For that is the problem-solving “tool”…

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You Don’t Have What You Have – You Have What You Give

You Don’t Have What You Have – You Have What You Give

Interview with Fr. Arsenie Papacioc
There is a comment in the Scripture that says: ‘there is no greater sign of love than someone putting his life on line for his friend’s sake’.
- That’s right. Because we are not created only for ourselves. You must understand this passage from the Scripture by all means: we do not come into this world only for ourselves, but for the entire Creation! That’s why I keep telling you that we are responsible for everything there is in the whole of Creation. We are born into this world for our fellowman’s sake, too. The more you live this life for the other one – whether he is a beggar or a needy person, etc –, the better. Give him something. Ok, sometimes you may not have anything in your pocket for him, but at least, don’t ignore him. For it was God Who arranged it so that you saw him. That was done to help you save your own soul.
So, we save ourselves by saving others. “By saving others, save yourselves“, you know how that saying goes. And by doing that, we are like Christ – moreover, we are worth as much as Him, when he put our lives on line for the other one. What better thing can one do, if you think about it?
Because that is the “baptism of the blood” – the greatest type of baptism, the baptism of sacrifice.
So everybody should keep in mind that if they have seen someone, it is because the Lord wanted them to see them. And no matter how good or bad that person may be, you should know that you are accountable before God, because it is not by mere chance that you have seen that person. You have seen him because you are to help him in some way, to pray for him — or vice versa.
So do you want to live and help this whole world that they all complain about in historical moments such as this one? Then love everybody. Put some order into your own thoughts and say this: if X or Y were here before me, I would show some understanding for him.
Yes. We must travel through life with love. Why should love be absent? And even if you have given something to the needful feeling something that is less than love, it’s still something — and you will still be rewarded for it, because you have fed and helped that person. For example, Peter the tax-payer – he gave his bread away, but with some irritation in his heart – because all he did was to copy someone else’s gesture. And that bread saved him! And the poor have “speculated” that gesture – based on Peter’s deed, one can be saved, too, no matter how poor in his heart s/he really is… But we must add that one will not be saved unless s/he gives to the poor.
If one has been hesitant in life, about doing a good deed (you know how it is, you keep saying: “I will, I will do that” – and still not do it), then…
- But how can we repent for that kind of sin?
- [Say this:] “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, please have mercy upon me, the sinner”… I go to church, I work upon myself, I have money. I give some of it to the poor — even a coat, or a sweater or something. We keep worrying about ourselves: “Oh but what am I going to wear? Do I have enough clothes, enough shoes?” That is normal and you are not wrong to think about those things. But at least think about the other one, do something, give him something – a piece of cloth to fasten his shoes or something. Something. You know what I mean? Caring for our fellowman. That is the big minus these days and people who do these things are great in front of God. St. Filoftea didn’t do anything different – who was she, after all? Just a young girl who gave things to the poor. That’s it. Because charity is the whole Scripture in a nutshell. One of our writers said so, too (his name was Vlahuţă). (I mention him because I happen to have known his family, you know…)
So, there. But if someone (you might say) is sitting in front of our gate, in front of the unmerciful rich man’s gate… can you imagine the terrible state of that poor man! Dogs were licking his wounds, the rich man wouldn’t give him as little as a crumb of bread. What loss would that have caused to his wealth, if he had given him a bit of bread? But I want you to understand that the core of this parable is the insensitiveness to the other one’s suffering. Having at least some care for the other one.
I remember I was in Bucharest once and didn’t even have a few coins for a tramway ticket (by the way, I also caught horse-drawn tramways in my day, my dears! The last line was on Popa Tatu street*. ). And there was this poor man sitting on the sidewalk. I saw him from a distance, he was in a sad state, with no legs and all… and he had seen me, too. And he was getting ready to ask me for something (poor dear, he must have thought I would fill his bag, now!), but I didn’t have anything on me, not even for the tramway. And I was already thinking – what was I going to do, what would I say to the poor man? So when I got near I told him: “My dear one, I would give you my legs, but since that’s impossible, here’s just a warm handshake for you, because I don’t have anything else, not even money for my tram”. And he said: “Father, this is something that nobody else has given me until now!”
So you see? Give them attention, too; acknowledge their presence, too. Don’t ignore them/pass them by, thinking that you are something, because you have [things, health, etc.] Stop for a second and consider them, too. Of course you cannot do that for too long because we have our lives, we are always busy and must carry on with our own tasks but show some care for the other one. “God, please mercy me”…
If that other one is your mother, or your child, or your father, and you cannot help them, you CAN ask God to help them. This is a form of charity that is HIGHLY appreciated by God. Caring for the other one.
Now, this lack of caring is what characterizes everyone at this moment in history. And I must add that one notices a more vertical, a better attitude among the younger generation, not among the older ones. Some of them have conflicts with their parents – there are young ladies who come to confession and tell me, poor things: “Father, I don’t want them to see that I have come to faith and that I repent for my sins” – and poor things, what do they do? nothing more than do the sign of the cross, go to church… Repenting, “sacrificing” for Christ, just as St. Filofteia did. Her stepmother would beat her and persecute her in all ways, but she wouldn’t give up. She still gave to the poor.
In a monastery somewhere was this brother, George, who kept giving to the poor all the time – everything that happened to pass through his hands. He would go into the refectory, where the monks ate, and would take food and give it to the poor. And the monks told their Abbot about this. One day, the Abbot surprised this man just as he was collecting everything from the table and was about to give it to the poor. And the Abbot commented: “Yes, my brothers, you are right, but what can I do, if our brother here is a Saint?”
So the idea is… You give… but you may give for nothing. Don’t just stick to the rules (“Oh, my God, the rule says that I should give to the poor” etc…). Don’t waste your time too much thinking about these things. Just feed that hungry man – because you will have fed Christ. “It is ME that you have given to” – He says… such astounding words.
People tend to “select” too much when they do charity: “This one is a Gipsy, that one is I don’t know what else…”, etc. We are too picky. But if one of them is not “Gipsy”, at all, but Christ Himself… we’re in trouble! Whereas if you give to all of them: …you gave, you will receive back! Because you don’t have what you have – you have what you give. And more than that: you don’t give what you give, you give what you are. There.
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