Letter 206

206. To Elpidius the Bishop, a Letter of Consolation.

Now most of all do I feel my body's weakness, when I see how greatly it hinders me from the benefit of the soul. For if matters went according to my mind, I should not be addressing you by letters nor through intermediaries, but should myself in person both discharge the debt of love and enjoy at close quarters the spiritual gain. But as it is, I am so situated that I gladly undertake even the journeys about my native land, which we make of necessity in visiting the parishes throughout our country. But may the Lord grant both to you strength and readiness, and to me, along with the eagerness I now have, the power as well, so that, as I entreated you, you may arrange for us the enjoyment of meeting, when you have come to the district of Comana.

But I am afraid for your good order, lest somehow grief over your own household become a hindrance to you. For I have learned that the death of a little child has distressed you. The loss of him is naturally painful to you as a grandfather; but to a man who has already advanced so far in virtue, and who knows the nature of human things both from his experience over time and from spiritual teaching, it follows that the parting from those nearest is not altogether hard to bear. For the Lord does not require the same of us as of ordinary men. They live by custom, but we have for the rule of our conduct the commandment of the Lord, and the examples of the blessed men who went before, whose greatness of mind was displayed especially in critical seasons. Therefore, that you too may leave to life an example of courage and of a true disposition toward the things we hope for, show yourself not bent down by passion, but higher than what grieves, enduring in affliction, rejoicing in hope. Let none of these things, then, become a hindrance to the meeting we hope for. For to infants their age is sufficient for blamelessness; but we are bound to render to the Master the services appointed to us, and to be ready in all things for the stewardship of the churches, for which our Lord has reserved great rewards to the faithful and prudent stewards.