After the Apostles, having been gathered miraculously at Mary’s deathbed, expressed their sorrow and concerns about her leaving them, she told them a parable.
"My beloved children, hearken to my brief words and small instruction, for this I wish and seek. My children, do you see this world? It is a festival. God is as a king, and you, His servants, are the merchants of my beloved Son. Now listen to this parable: There was a great and powerful king who had two servants. The king then heard that there was a great fair where there would be very many goods and products that would bring great gain. Therefore, the king summoned these two servants and said, "Make great haste to go into this country where the festival is being held and, for one month, do business. If any of you delay, he will lose his life!" Straightway, the two servants took money and went to the fair. However, one of them was senseless and foolish; he purchased items that were useless to the king, such as houses, shops and fields. All these things the king had no need of, nor would they bring him any gain. Moreover, the undiscerning servant delayed in returning because it took time to sow the fields, and to refurbish and complete the shops and the houses, because they were in disarray. Thus it took him about three to four months to return to the king. Now the other servant was prudent and purchased precious stones, and returned punctually to the king. The king honored and glorified this servant, for he found him trustworthy. As for the other servant, an order was issued that he be executed as one who was an enemy of the king.
"The same situation is also before you, O Apostles of my Son. My beloved Son has sent you as merchants into the world of deceived mankind, to win those souls who will hearken to His name. Whichever of you, 0 my friends and children, is a friend of thy Teacher and my Son, He will honor in His Kingdom. Those that will not obey the commands of the Teacher, he knows what he will suffer. On account of this, my beloved children, go and preach. Enlighten and guide those of the world that are led astray, and gain them and direct them to the Kingdom of my Son.
"Always have love and peace among you, and rejoice and be glad for great will be your reward in the Kingdom of the heavens. And, though, my friends, I go to the Kingdom of my Son and God, I am ever with you, and I will strengthen and comfort you in your afflictions."
This and other things the all-holy Mother of God spoke to the Apostles to encourage them to carry on the work they had already begun assuring them she would still be available to support their efforts.
From the Great Synaxaristes, Dormition of the Theotokos
pp 458-459 in Life of the Virgin Mary
Thank you for posting this. I wish I had read this when I first encountered Orthodoxy. It would have prevented many sins against the Mother of God.
ReplyDeleteMay she forgive me.
Yes, the Mother of God is such a wonderful person to get to know. She was clearly very important to the Apostles after Christ ascended.
ReplyDeleteHer mission is to help us all, always.