Homily: On prophetic visions "The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amos" (Isaiah 1:1). He who has understanding can know the one and true God. He, who is without understanding, let him listen to the one who understands and the one who understands and the other (who listens) will be saved. It is possible to clearly know God from created nature and still more clearly, from the inspired men of God and most clearly from the Lord Christ. The inspired men of God before Christ were the prophets. Among the first was Isaiah, the son of Amos. The Spirit of God opened his sight and he saw that which other men did not see. That is why he called his message to his people "a vision" (or apparition). How the prophets saw the heavenly mysteries and the mysteries of future events cannot be described: that can only be experienced by those to whom God gives that gift. The visions of the holy prophets are true, for those words and those heavenly appearances from these visions, have actually been confirmed later on. They are true because they served for the good of men, turning them from evil to good. Furthermore, they are true because the prophets fearlessly declared them without regard of the suffering which befell them and even without regard for the bitter death which many of them suffered. What did Isaiah receive from the world and from men for his visions? Riches or honor or an exalted calling? The Jews sawed him in half! This is the riches, this is the honor and this is the glory of the prophet to suffer for the truth of God! Therefore, let us listen to the prophets of God for they are the paths that lead to the city of the Great King; they are the rays of the Sun of Righteousness Christ which on a distant sphere illumines men with the heavenly light, pointing out the Sun to them. O Lord Christ, Who revealed Thyself through the prophets and prepared the way for Thy descent into our valley, help us. Help us to recognize Thy light and Thy providence in Thy holy prophets. To Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 04:07:50 +0000