Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky

Like everything in the world, our human nature is wisely constructed. We are capable of acquiring and preserving knowledge, and we are capable of forgetting.  Often even forgetfulness is useful and laudable.

Have you met with failure?  Don’t be too long in lamenting.  Forget it! Chalk it up as a lesson for the future.

You lost something and can’t find it?  In this transitory world there’s nothing eternal.  Forget it!

Someone offended you without cause, they hurt your feelings?  Don’t let your memory hang onto it.  Humble yourself; it will be good for you. You have a bad habit?  In our souls a constant process of renewal is in effect.  Determine to turn away from your bad habit and nature itself will help you to forget it.

Are you troubled or attracted by seductive memories or desires?  Join your heart to the words of the prayer: “Guard me, O Lord, from vain thoughts and evil desires”…  It will be fulfilled, and you will forget them.

Forgetting what is useless, acquire positive knowledge and preserve it. Don’t think: I’ll never find that useful.  “Give here that bit of rope; even a bit of rope can come in handy” (from Gogol’s Inspector General). In the course of your life each item in the storehouse of your memory will prove useful, even if it’s only once.

Look ahead.  Choose what’s best.  Think of that moral countenance which you would like to see on yourself in the last decade of your life.  You’ve heard a lot of what is good, and you’ve read a fair amount. If you’re acquainted with Church history, imagine to yourself the images of those people whom you find most attractive and close to your soul by nature. Don’t strive to race ahead prematurely.

Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. (Phil. 3:13)

Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky (Translated from Russkiy Pastyr #9, 1-1991)