pachorn~an ko~nonla - Alin Suciu

Never condemn
anyone
Cf. Mt 6:5.
Cf. 1 Jn 4%-21
Ga 6:3.
En 9:14.
Is 14:ll;
Cf. Is 14:15.19.
Rm 14:4.
In your needs,
count on God's
help
Si 13:24(30).
Pachomian Koinonia I11
tled me with flames; if I withdrew, he afflicted
me with his insolence. Many a time my heart was
in distress, and I turned from side to side and had
no rest. When I fled to God with tears, humility,
fasts, and vigils, then the enemy and all his spirits
grew weak before me, God's courage came into
me, and I experienced at once God's help. For in
his mercy he makes his strength and goodness
known to the sons of men.'
12. My son, never condemn anyone. If you see
someone being honored, do not say, 'He already
has received his reward.' Guard yourself from
such a thought, for it is very bad, and God detests
the man who has praise only for himself, scorning
his brother. The one whosays to himelfthat he is
somebody, when he is nothing, is fooling him-
self.' Who can help him in his pride? And when
he presents himself after the manner of God, say-
ing, There is no one like me, he wilt hear his cen-
sure without delay, You willgo down to hell, you
will be thrown in with the dead, rot will be spread
over you, you will be covered with maggots. As
for the man who has acquired humility, he has
judged himself, saying that his sins are greater
than those of any man. He judges no one and
condemns no one. Who are you tojudge aservant
that is not yours? The Lord can certainly raise up
anyone who has fallen.P Keep watch over your-
self, my son, condemn no one, taste all the vir-
tues, and guard them.
13. If you are a stranger, stay back, do not
have recourse to the people, and do not meddle
in their affairs. If you are poor, let nothing dis-
courage you, lest it be said to you, Poverty is evil
in the mouth of the godless. Nor should you ever
The Instruc~ions of Samt Pachomiw
hear, Sta~ving, you will become frenzied, and
you will speak ill of the chief and the elders.
watch, too, that no one foment battle with you
something you lack, according to the flesh,
in the matter of food. Do not become discouraged,
be steadfast; surely God has already done
something in secret. Think of Habakkuk in Judaea
and of Daniel in Chaldea. Although a distance
of forty-five stages separated them, andstill
more-Daniel, put out as fodder for beasts,
was at the bottom of the pit, Habakkuk brought
him dinner.*' Think of Elijah in the desert?% and
the widow at Zarephath. She was overcome by the
pangs of famine and the anguish of hunger. In
spite of such misery she was not at all fainthearted.
On the contrary she fought, she conquered,
and she got what God had promised: her
house was in abundance during a time of famine.
To give bread in a time of plenty is no generosity
and to be discouraged at a time of need is not
to be poor. Indeed, it is written of the saints that,
they were destitute, afflicted, malt~eated,~ but
they gloried in their afflictions. If you remain
steadfast in the battle according to the Scriptures
you will never undergo bondage; as it is written,
No one should deceiue you in matters offood and
drink or with regard to a festiual or a new moon
or a sabbath. These are only a shadow of what is
to come.
14. Recite constantly the words of God. Put up
with fatigue and be grateful for everything.'*
Shun the praise of men and love the one who, in
the fear of the Lord, reprimands you. Let every
man be profitable to you so that you may be good
to everyone. Persevere in your work, and in lan-
Is 8:21.
*Dn 14:33-39.
tl K 19.
1 K 17.
Heb 1137.
Cf. Rm 5:3.
Col2:16-17.
Serve God
faithfully
*I Th 5:18.
17