Each
one of us carries a burden of sins, errors, sorrows, misfortunes; and
yet, we should not be subjected to all of this, since each one of us
has his own guardian angel. Why, then, does such a situation exist?
The angels, of course, would never allow it, were it not our own
fault. And if they allow it, it is either because we make ourselves
inaccessible to angelic guidance, or because by our contrariness we
destroy and repel all the angels’ efforts to assist us in doing
good.
First
of all, we must always remember that we have a guardian angel, and we
should turn to him with our mind and heart – both in the normal
course of our life, and especially when our life is troubled by
something. If we do not turn to him, the angel has no way of helping
us. When someone walks with stopped up ears and closed eyes towards a
bog or an abyss – what can you do for such a person and how can you
help him? You could shout – but his ears are stopped up; you could
make a sign to warn him of impending danger – but his eyes are
closed. You may say: let the angel take him by the hand and stop him,
or lead him out onto the right path. Well, he is probably quite ready
to do just that, and he looks for your hand, in order to take it and
lead you out, – but do you have such a hand? He will not be taking
you by your physical hand – although that, too, can happen in
special cases, – but by your spiritual hand, because he himself is
a spirit. The spiritual hand is an active force, directed towards
salvation and zealously attending to it. When you have such zeal in
your soul, then the Lord’s angel will certainly take you by this
hand and lead you; otherwise – what is there for him to hold onto?
And
again you may say: let him arouse within me the desire for salvation
himself. But you see, those who have such a desire – he will
encourage and fortify; those who do not – he tries to encourage in
all possible ways, but for the most part does so unsuccessfully, due
to the great confusion prevailing in an indolent soul. Within such a
soul everything is in disarray: thoughts, feelings, intentions; there
is disorderly noise as though in a marketplace. To the same extent
that we are subject to this lack of peace and self-discipline, it
impedes the angel’s influence upon us. How can the angel urge us
towards good, when he does not have our attention? How can the soul
hear such an urging, when it is full of noise and confusion? It is
for this reason that our guardian angel’s efforts remain fruitless.
Thus,
if you wish to make use of angelic guidance and assistance, – tame
your internal disorder, gather your attention within yourself, and
stand at the gates of your heart. The Lord’s angel will notice it
immediately, will come up to you and will begin to instill thoughts
of and a desire for salvation within you. Accede to this urging and
embark upon spiritual labors – and then not only will the guardian
angel take you by the hand, but he will take you up into his arms,
and not only will he lead you, but he will carry you along the path
to salvation. At the same time, you must respond by keeping your mind
and heart inclined toward him, by retaining your zeal and remaining
attentive. The angel will teach you everything: what to do, when and
how, and what not to do; and whenever necessary, he will even provide
external signs for your guidance.
Saint
Theophanus the Recluse
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