Неделя мясопустная (35-я)

(1 Cor.8:8–9:2; Matt.25, 31–46) Last Judgment! The judge is coming to the clouds, surrounded by a myriad of ethereal heavenly forces. Trumpets sound to all ends of the earth and raise the dead. The rebel regiments flow in regiments to a certain place, to the throne of the Judge, already anticipating in advance what kind of sentence will sound in their ears. For the deeds of each will be written on the forehead of their nature, and their very appearance will correspond to their deeds and morals. The separation of the gums and the lips will take place by itself. Finally, everything has already been decided. There was deep silence. Another moment - and the decisive sentence of the Judge is heard - to some: “come”, to others: “go away” (Matthew 25:34, 41). Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us! May Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us! - but then it will be too late to cry like that. Now we must take care to wash away from our nature the signs written on it that are unfavorable for us. Then we would be ready to shed rivers of tears in order to wash ourselves; but this won't help anything. Let us cry now, if not with rivers of tears, then at least with streams; if not streams, at least raindrops; if we do not find this, we will repent in our hearts and, having confessed our sins to the Lord, we will beg Him to forgive us them, vowing not to offend Him again by violating His commandments, and then being jealous to faithfully fulfill such a vow. You might be interested in: