Prologue in Sermons: April 14

 To the Common People, That They Also Can Be Heirs of the Kingdom of God

April 14

(A Word from the Paterikon about the vision of Abba Samuel.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

To you, common people, will our word be today, and this is what we shall say to you.

Once the Venerable Samuel, while sitting with the brethren, suddenly felt himself caught up in ecstasy and fell face down. After quite a long time he rose and began to weep bitterly. The brethren begged him to tell them the reason for his weeping. For a long time he did not answer them, and at last he said: “I, brethren, was taken up to judgment and saw a multitude of people going to torment, and a multitude of common people going into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

And so for you, common people, this is a consoling lesson from the Venerable one, that for you also there is great hope to inherit the heavenly dwellings.

But you will no doubt say to me, as is your custom: “I am simple and ignorant; I know nothing — how then shall I enter there?” Very simply, brethren: act as I tell you, and you will seize for yourselves the Kingdom of Heaven.

Here is what I read in one Holy Father: “Do you wish,” he says, “to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? Love God above all things and always; have toward Him a filial fear; flee from evil deeds and drive away impure thoughts by prayer. Do not be proud of good works, and always consider yourself an unprofitable servant. Glorify God unceasingly. Do every good deed not out of vanity or desire to please men, but secretly, for the glory of the name of God. Guard yourself with the Orthodox faith and be a faithful son of the Orthodox Church, living according to the commandments of the Holy Apostles and the Holy Fathers. To those who live thus there will be a great reward — endless life and eternal blessedness with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Prologue, April 14).

Now tell me: is there anything here especially difficult? Impossible? Absolutely nothing. What is said here can be expressed in two words: live according to God, and you will be saved. The Lord does not require from us learning or wisdom, but our heart. “My son, give Me your heart,” He says. So then give your heart to the Lord, and even in all your simplicity you will be heirs of the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.