American Orthodox Catholic Christianity
Faith Of Our Fathers Series
Now consider that God, Who made us and breathed life into us,
has given to each soul a particular way of life and appointed for each a
different quietus. Because for some He has arranged that they remain in the body
for a greater length of time, while others, according to the undisclosed
workings of His wisdom and justice, He releases swiftly from the bonds of the
body. Just as with those who are thrown into prison. Some remain locked up in
gaol and tormented for a long period of time, while others are quickly set free
from hardship. It is the same with souls. Some are kept alive for a long time,
others for less, depending on the worth of each. For God Who made us in wisdom
and in our depths, deeper than the human mind can reach, foresees everything
which concerns each one of us.
– St. Basil the Great
It is for God alone to justify and to condemn, He Who knows
the circumstances and the potential, the reversals and the gifts, the
temperament and the skills and Who judges each as He alone knows. For God judges
differently the sins of the Bishop and those of the eminent citizen; those of
the abbot and the school-child differently; those of the old man and the youth
differently; those of the sick and those of the healthy differently. And who can
know all the judgements of God, save He alone, Who made all things and knows all
things! -- Abba Dorotheus