Суббота

(1 Cor. 14, 20–25; Matt. 25, 1–13) The parable of the 10 virgins is read (Matthew 25:1–13). St. Macarius depicts its meaning this way: “The wise five virgins, being sober, hastening to something unusual for their nature, taking oil in the vessel of their heart, that is, the grace of the Spirit given from above, were able to enter with the Bridegroom into the heavenly chamber. Other foolish virgins, remaining in their own nature, did not become sober, did not try, while they were still in the flesh, to take the oil of joy into their vessels, but, out of negligence or out of conceit about their righteousness, they gave themselves over to sleep; for this they were not allowed into the palace of the kingdom, unable to please the heavenly Bridegroom. Holding on to worldly ties and earthly love, they did not devote all their love and commitment to the heavenly Bridegroom and did not bring oil with them. And souls who have sought something unusual for nature, the holiness of the Spirit, are attached with all love to the Lord, walk with Him, turning away from everything, directing prayers and thoughts to Him, for which they were honored to receive the oil of heavenly grace. The souls remaining in their nature crawl on the earth with their thoughts, think about the earth, and their mind dwells on earth. They think of themselves that they belong to the Bridegroom and are adorned with carnal excuses, but without receiving the oil of joy, they were not reborn with the Spirit from above.” *14 Macarius the Great. "Conversations", 4, 6. You might be interested in: