November: Day 1: Teaching 1:Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Kosmas and Damian
(On Dissatisfaction With One's Condition)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
(On Dissatisfaction With One's Condition)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
I. Saints Kosmas and Damian, whose memory is celebrated today, were brothers; their father, a Greek, was a pagan; and their mother, Theodotia, professed the Christian faith. She was widowed in her youth and led a pious life, and according to the words of the Apostle Paul: "A true widow," he says, "trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers day and night." Theodotia accustomed her children to a godly life, strictly watched over them, instructed them in virtue, and taught them the Divine Scriptures.
From infancy, Kosmas and Damian tried to fulfill the law of God, and when they reached adulthood, like two lamps, they shone with good deeds. In order to be of greater benefit to their neighbors, they took up medical science, learned the healing properties of herbs and plants, and became skilled doctors. The Lord blessed the good doctors and granted them healing, miraculous powers. The brothers did not seek earthly glory or wealth, never took money or gifts from the sick, strictly following the words of the Savior, Who said to the Apostles: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, freely have you received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). For such selflessness, the Church called them "unmercenaries."
Having lived peacefully and industriously, they calmly departed to the Lord, and after death were glorified by miracles. The Church honors their memory as good doctors of spiritual and physical illnesses, our warm intercessors before the Lord God.
II. In our age of calculation and self-interest, the example of the Holy Unmercenaries Kosmas and Damian, now celebrated, is especially significant. Here are people who not only did not set any selfish goals for their activities, but tried to eradicate in themselves even the thought of any kind of even completely legitimate reward for their labors. “Everything for God and neighbor, nothing for yourself” - this is the rule of their life. These are great ascetics of good. These are the chosen ones of God, striving for the highest perfection, according to the Lord's instructions (Matt. 19:21), and who achieved it. Oh, if only we could fulfill the incomparably lesser requirement of the Apostle: to be content with the reward that the Lord will give us for our labor, with the share that we have from Him.
Dissatisfaction with one's condition is almost a common ailment.
What causes this illness? Two main causes give rise to it: inappropriate comparisons of one's situation with that of another and exaggerated expectations of future happiness.
a) Someone said: “It is always possible to be happy; just do not compare yourself with others, but learn to be content with what you have.” With us it is the opposite: it is not enough for us to be happy with our own circumstances; we certainly want to be happier than others, and this is very difficult and even impossible. Our Lord Jesus Christ condemned this attempt to compare ourselves with others in the parable of the servants who worked in the vineyard. He showed that the distribution of the reward to the workers depends on him, that everyone receives what is due to him and must use his share with gratitude. “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?” says the lord of the vineyard. “Or is your eye evil because I am good” (Matthew 20:15). “ Take what is yours and go your way” (Matthew 20:14). And you, good brother, do not look at the happiness of another. It is God's gift to him. Is it good to respond to God's love with feelings of malice and envy? Use the share of happiness that is given to you, without darkening your joy with feelings that upset the heart. You do not have all the benefits and advantages, the breadth of the field and action that others enjoy. See what benefit you can bring in the field allotted to you, and hurry to work, "while it is day!" If you want to compare your situation with the situation of another, then go not to the one who, by his position, is placed above you, but go to those servants of God who know how to live in poverty, giving thanks to God. You complain that you have little given to you by God. Look at what they have and how little they need for life. In your place, they would consider themselves the happiest of mortals. Learn from the contentment of the simple worker, who, after a whole day of hard work, eats his meager supper with such joy as he is often deprived of in the most luxurious surroundings.
b) Another reason for our discontent, we said, is in exaggerated expectations of happiness in the future. Let us suppose we have achieved the good we desired; what should we do? To calm down and enjoy God's mercy in joy of heart. No! Now another, higher good appears to us. What we have received has ceased to have its charm for us. There, in view of a different situation, everything seems much better.
Earthly happiness is like a shadow. The further away the shadow, the larger it is. In the distance everything seems so good; all the spots are hidden; only benefits, only honor, only glory appear; no special labors, deprivations, sorrows and troubles. Here, finally, with the help of sometimes cunning, slyness, intrigues, permitted and prohibited means, this blessing is achieved. He who thinks to meet there only joys and happiness is involuntarily amazed when he encounters worries, labors, envy, secret intrigues of rivals, troubles and sorrows. Again grumbling and discontent.
Who does not know the weakness of children to seem big? These children then become big and even old, as if in order to always remember with regret the carefree days of golden childhood. What is our life if not a series of such self-delusions and disappointments? Instead of giving free rein to our vanity, looking for more and more new blessings, let us learn to find a source of gratitude in the feeling of our humility. Let us say to ourselves: I am not worthy of what God has rewarded me with. Glory to You, merciful Lord!
III. There is one discontent which a Christian can and should harbor: it is from small success in the field of good. Covet the greater gifts, says the apostle, and he indicates what these greater gifts are: in love, which is patient, kind, does not seek its own, hopes for all things, endures all things, and never fails (1 Cor. 12:31; 13:4-8). Amen.
Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.