I was just reading St. Silouan who said,
Judging by what is written in the Scriptures and by the character of the people surrounding us, we are living in the final days. However, as that great holy man of Russia, Saint Serafim of Sarov, said, we must seek to keep safe our inner peace, because without this salvation is impossible. During Serafim’s life, in response to his prayers, the Lord kept Russia safe; after him came another pillar stretching from earth to the heavens, Father John of Kronstadt. He loved the people and prayed continuously for them: “Lord, I wish that Your world would be in all Your people, whom You love so boundlessly that You gave Your Only Son to save the world.”
Praying thus without respite for the people, he retained his inner peace. But we are losing ours because we do not love people. The Holy Apostles and all the saints desired salvation for all people and, remaining among people, prayed for them energetically. The Holy Spirit gave them the strength to love all people. If we do not love our brothers, then we cannot have peace. Everyone should think this over.
This is interesting because I must admit that it is the people that I love the most in my life that often make it hard for me to have inner peace. Not because they are not wonderful or that I don’t find solace in their love, but because I am afraid of losing them whether by my death or theirs. But, St. Silouan has taught my soul something here.
God wants us to set our minds on things above and not earthly and corruptible things, he desires that we set our minds on His kingdom. Fear of death and love of neighbor go hand in hand because God is the God of the living and not of the dead. Thus, I can love my family all the more because they will eternally be with me. Death cannot destroy the bond of our love, for love never fails. Death, where is thy sting?
Now, how do I love my enemies with such fervent love?
