He Works from Within
He Works from Within
The man of religion differs from other working people in that he works from within the soul…
As for the employees in the world, they deal with papers, with laws, with formalities, with outward situations that do not enter into the depths of the human being, nor examine him with a true examination regarding his feelings and thoughts.
From here it was necessary for the man of religion to be experienced in souls,
and also experienced in spiritual wars and the attacks and temptations of demons.
“Tempted in all things like us” (Heb. 4:15), in order that he might help those who are tempted.
He does not speak to people from above, or from imaginary ideals, but rather he is aware of the practical reality in which people live, and the external problems they encounter, at work, with people at home, in the family environment… all the social, economic, and practical problems, and the nature of their effect upon the soul.
It is preferable that he be a man who mixes with people and knows their problems.
And as it was said about David the prophet that: “he went out and came in among them” (1 Sam. 18:16). Mere theoretical theological studies are not enough, but it is also necessary to study life, and to study human nature, with all that is in it of weakness, fear, hesitation, desire, and carelessness, with all its fluctuations, at one time loving God and despising everything for His sake, and at another time being defeated before something trivial…
The matter does not come merely through the study of psychology, for the spiritual life is not merely theories…
For there are many who study psychology and educational sciences, and yet they are not experienced in the spiritual life. Therefore, those who study need years of training in practical education.
The world of the spirit is broader and deeper than the world of psychology…
Likewise, practical study and practical experience give another depth in knowledge.
Therefore, the father confessor, who has many children, and who sits with them in confession sessions, gains a deeper experience of human nature and its wars, and of the methods of treatment…
And likewise also, the elderly priest, advanced in days in the priesthood, is also more experienced in the soul and in spiritual work, if his days in the priesthood have their depth in pastoral work…
And experience in spiritual matters is not everything. There is also prayer.
For the priest who treats souls, solves spiritual problems, and leads people in repentance, does not rely only on his experience and knowledge, but he needs help from God who created this soul and knows what suits it. Therefore, he never ceases praying for his children, so that God may work through His Holy Spirit…
And there is also wisdom in administration and longsuffering…
Leading souls requires wisdom, and requires patience, and long endurance, so that the confessor may reach what his guide desires for him… As for the priest who quickly becomes irritated, and does not endure the lack of growth of the confessor and his inability to repent, he loses the souls that seek his guidance…
And leading souls also requires compassion and tenderness…
And how beautiful is the saying of Saint Paul the Apostle: “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them, those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are also in the body” (Heb. 13:3).
The fallen souls are weak and poor souls that need compassion and not rebuke and reproach…
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