135. Рабы, посланные господином звать гостей на обед

We see in the world that rich and famous people hold a feast in their homes, and send their slaves to invite various guests to that feast, and they invite them. So the Heavenly King, God, rich in mercy, created the great and sweet supper of eternal life, and sends His chosen servants to invite to that supper all people indiscriminately, rich and poor, glorious and low, male and female, old and young, in a word, everyone and every rank of people. Go, for everything is ready (Luke 14:17). He sent prophets first, and called through them; He then sent the apostles, and through them he called: Go, for everything is ready. He now sends bishops and presbyters, and orders them to also call everyone, for bishops and presbyters stand in place of those chosen men and take over their positions. Therefore, we must call without laziness, exhort and pray to everyone, as the messengers of God: Go, for everything is already ready. O beloved (bishop and presbyter), messenger and servant of the Heavenly King: do and fulfill the commandment of your Lord; work tirelessly, go and invite your Lord to supper, and do not stop inviting everyone; knock on the doors of their hearts, so that when they hear, they will hasten to that glorious supper and lie down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. Call, beloved, call while the doors are open: call, but also go yourself; and go ahead before them, and show them the way to this glorious house of the King of Heaven. Speak to them loudly: Go, for everything is ready. And do not stand still yourself, but hasten to what you are calling others to do: do not be a pillar standing in the way, which shows the way to the city, but does not move from its place; but be a leader who shows the way to others and goes ahead yourself. Then your call will be valid when you yourself go there, where you call others; otherwise you won't have much time. People will follow an example rather than a word. The word of your call will be strong when the example of your life agrees with your word. And when people hear your call, but see that you yourself are not moving, they will hardly believe your word, and so you will call by word, but you will hold on by example. O beloved! Beware of this - lest this word of Christ befits you too: He who does not gather with Me scatters (Matthew 12:30). The prophets called, the apostles called, their successors called the saints, shepherds and church teachers who lived in ancient times; but they themselves, with a thirsty spirit, hurried to the honor of the high calling (Phil. 3:14), and nothing could hinder their calling and desire. Not only wealth, honor, glory and all the comforts of this world were considered nothing, but also bonds, prisons, exiles, beatings, wounds, torments, suffering and all death were despised, and through these sorrows they entered the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Therefore, the people they called, seeing such a desire of their leaders for the highest rank, hurried after them with all zeal. Their example, consistent with the word of the call, encouraged and attracted called people to him. It was never like that. Nowadays people rush to wealth, honor, fame, comforts, banquets, operas and other amusements and merriments of this world with cheerful and quick feet; they are in a hurry because they see what they are rushing to. But they do not see that great supper, which the Heavenly King, the Lord, by His grace, has prepared for everyone, for it is seen with the eye of faith, and not with bodily eyes. People don’t see it, which is why they don’t rush there. The temptations of this world, multiplying day by day, darken the eyes of man's soul, and thus extinguish the lamps of faith. Hence it happens that people, like cattle, strive for what they see, but what they do not see, they do not seek. This is bestial behavior. Oh, if people saw even a small part of that supper, they would throw away all the treasures of this world and rush there with all their zeal and haste! Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43). The shepherds are told: you are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). When the light darkens, what can people do to enlighten themselves? The shepherds are told: you are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). When the salt loses its strength, what should people use to dissolve themselves? O beloved shepherd! Light to the world! Shine not only with your words, but also with your life. Salt of the earth! Beware of losing your strength, lest others lose their strength while looking at you. So let your light shine before people, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). You, beloved, have entered into the rank and office of an apostle; imitate the teachings and life of the apostles, and you will take part in that supper with them, and you will draw many with you. You might be interested in: