Беседа 23

Pronounced to the people in the Church of St. Apostle Peter on the next day of Easter. Reading the Holy Gospel: Luke 24.12–35. Luke 24.12–35. But Peter, getting up, ran to the tomb and, bending down, saw only the linens lying, and went back, marveling at what had happened. That same day two of them went to a village sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, called Emmaus; and talked among themselves about all these events. And while they were talking and reasoning with each other, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept, so that they did not recognize Him. He said to them: What are you talking about as you walk, and why are you sad? One of them, named Cleopas, answered Him: Are you really one of those who came to Jerusalem and do not know about what has happened in it these days? And he said to them: about what? They said to Him: What happened to Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death and crucified Him. But we hoped that He was the One who was to deliver Israel; but with all that, it is now the third day since this happened. But some of our women amazed us: they were early at the tomb and they did not find His body, and when they came, they said that they had also seen the appearance of angels, who said that He was alive. And some of our men went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Him. Then He said to them: O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Is this not how Christ had to suffer and enter into His glory? And beginning with Moses, he explained to them from all the prophets what was said about Him in all the Scriptures. And they approached the village to which they were going; and He showed them that He wanted to go further. But they restrained Him, saying: stay with us, because the day has already fallen towards evening. And He went in and stayed with them. And as He reclined with them, He took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. But He became invisible to them. And they said to each other: Didn’t our heart burn within us when He spoke to us on the road and when He explained the Scripture to us? And they rose up that same hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven apostles together and those who were with them, who said that the Lord had truly risen and appeared to Simon. And they told about what had happened on the way, and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of bread. 1. You, who work in the daily celebration, need to speak a little: and perhaps this is more useful, because often food, which is not enough, is taken with greater greed. So, I decided to explain the meaning of the Gospel reading in general, and not every word, so that a lengthy word of explanation could not burden your love. Now you, beloved brethren, have heard that the Lord appeared to two disciples on the way, although they were not yet believers, but they were talking about Him, but did not show them a form that they would recognize. So, the Lord from outside, before the eyes of the body, did what was happening inside them, before the eyes of the heart. For they both loved and doubted within themselves, but the Lord was external and inherent in them, and did not reveal who He was. So, He revealed His presence to those who were talking about Him, but He hid the image of knowing Him from those who doubted Him. Although he uttered words, reproached him for the stubbornness of his mind, revealed the secrets of Holy Scripture about Himself; and yet he pretended to go further, because in their hearts he was still far from faith. For we say that to pretend means to equate one thing with another, which is why we call those who equate dirt potters. So, simple Truth did nothing through duality, but showed itself to them in the body as it was in their minds. But it was necessary to test: if those who did not yet love Him as God, then at least could they love Him as a traveler. But since those with whom the Truth walked could not be alien to love, they invite Him, as a Wanderer, to the inn. But why do we say “invited” when it is written there: “they kept Him?” From this particular example the conclusion emerges that wanderers should not only be led to an inn against their will, but also drawn there. They (the travelers to Emmaus) provide a meal, offer food, and - God, Whom they did not recognize from the explanation of Holy Scripture, they recognize in the breaking of bread. 2. So, listening to the commandments of God, they were not enlightened, but by fulfilling them, they were enlightened; because it is written: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be justified” (Rom 2.13). Therefore, whoever wants to understand what he has heard must hasten to put into practice what he could already understand. The Lord was not recognized when He spoke, but He allowed Himself to be recognized when He began to eat. So, beloved brethren, love hospitality, be diligent in deeds of love. That is why it is said through Paul: “Let brotherly love continue among you. Do not forget your love of hospitality, for through it some, unknowingly, showed hospitality to angels” (Heb. 13.1, 2). That is why Peter says: “Be kind to one another without murmuring” (1 Pet 4.9). That is why the Truth Itself says: “I was a stranger, and you took Me in” (Matthew 25.35). Here is an event that is worthy of attention and handed down to us from the elders: a certain owner of a house with his entire household was very strangely received; and since he received strangers to his meal every day, then one day a stranger comes and is invited to the meal. And when the owner of the house, out of usual humility, wanted to pour water into his hands, turning around and taking the jug, he suddenly did not find the one on whose hands he wanted to pour the water. And when he himself was surprised at this event, that same night the Lord said to him in a vision: “On other days you received Me in My members, but yesterday you received Me personally.” The One coming to judgment will say: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25.40). Before the judgment, He is received among His members, and He Himself personally seeks out His recipients; and despite the fact, we are lazy for the cordiality of hospitality. Receive Christ at your meals so that you may have the dignity of being received at the Eternal Feasts. Only provide the wandering Christ with an inn, so that at the judgment He will not know you as strangers, but will accept you into the Kingdom as His own, with the help of Himself, Who lives and reigns - God forever and ever. Amen. You might be interested in: