Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 187 -
THE LORD'S LOVE-FEAST AT THE SUN-DWELLERS' TABLE. THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE LORD.
1
(The sage bows deeply to the Lord, and says with the greatest possible reverence): "O Lord, God, Father of Your children, and most holy, almighty Creator of Your infinite works, we have done our best to comply with Your will. All kinds of food and drink have been procured and the large table is laden with them. And now Your most holy will be done!"
2
(Say I): "That is fine! But it is now up to you, as the head of this entire community, to determine - together with the actual host - the seating order for us."
3
(Say the sage and the owner of the house simultaneously): "O Lord, how could we, who are just worms before You, presume to tell You where to sit? O Lord, such presumption on our part should strike us dead forever! Everything is Yours, and the spot where You are, the foremost, the highest, and holiest anyway! And we - no, we cannot say it again!
4
O Lord, we beg of You just this one thing: that You make known to us Your most holy will in everything! We shall then receive it into our hearts as a treasure and make every effort to fulfill it faithfully.
5
Therefore, do graciously withdraw this instruction that we must determine the seating order for You and Your sublime children at the large table."
6
(Say I): "What you now say is good and right, and it was your love for Me that made you say it. However, if you acknowledge My will as a treasure of your hearts, you must accept the instructions given to you and the owner of this house, and comply with them. Otherwise, it is with you just a matter of saying the right thing about My will, but when I want you to do something, you think that you offend Me if you do what I ask of you. Therefore, do what I want, and you will eventually understand why I want you to do it."
7
Now the sage and the house-owner bow deeply and ponder anxiously how to handle this and where to place Me, for here one place is like the other. The so-called host's place and the prominent place of the sage are considered unsuitable by both of them, for by placing Me in one of their seats, they would only honor themselves. They ponder over this matter for a while, but cannot find a good solution.
8
At last the sage turns to Martin for his advice.
9
(Martin shrugs his shoulders, and says): "Well, friend, this is not easy to decide. Is there no seat dedicated to love?"
10
(The two are quite surprised, and say): "Friend, we have never had anything like that. What can we do about it?"
11
(Says Martin): "You had better arrange for such a seat now, for it might be your solution."
12
(Ask the two): "But what must such a seat be like?"
13
(Says Martin): "Go to the three daughters of the house who are now with the Lord. They will soon prepare such a seat."
14
The two sages do as suggested and put their question to the three sun-daughters.
15
(The three sun-daughters press their hands against their hearts and say): "Look, dearest fathers, this is the right place for the Lord of Glory. Do not try to figure it out with your heads, but draw Him with your hearts, and then the first place you come to will be the right one."
16
Only now do the two understand what I want of them. They come to Me, bow deeply, then raise their heads again, and say:
17
(The two sages): "O Lord, God, Father! Praise be to You, our gratitude, and all our love! With the help of dear brother Martin and our dear daughters, we have at last recognized Your most holy will and have fulfilled it to the best of our ability.
18
O Lord, God, Father, here in our hearts we have for You, and also for all the other brothers and sisters, the best and, doubtlessly, proper place of rest. So come, You kindest, holiest, and most loving Father, with all those whom You love, and take full possession of it for all eternity.
19
For now we realize that this table with all the material dishes is nothing but an external symbol of what we are to prepare in our hearts for You, most holy and loving Father.
20
The table of our inner life is, of course, not by far as richly laden as this external one with the dishes that are to Your taste. But we beg You, O holy Father, to bless it for us so that it may become richer through deeds of love, humility, and meekness. Then we, too, will be able to receive You, O holy Father, with a true, eternal, and active hosanna!
21
Your name, which is Your almighty, holy will, be praised by us and all infinity forever!"
22
(Say I): "So it is right, My beloved, new children! If you remain the way you are now, everything that has been promised to you will be fulfilled in every detail. And now, let us sit down to a meal at this external table.
23
I shall bless the dishes for you and share this love-feast with you. And all who take part in it will receive Me into their hearts, and have thus embodied within them everlasting life, enlightenment, and truth.
24
So let us now all sit down to the meal. However, no one should look for a particular place to sit; instead, the first place that comes will be the best and right one for each. For, only what is within you is important; all the external things are quite immaterial. So let it be as I have said!"
25
They all now move towards the table and wait until I have taken a seat. Having chosen the nearest one, with the five maidens beside Me, then John, Peter, Martin, Borem, Chorel, and all the others who have come with Me, the sun-dwellers respectfully take their seats on the opposite side, with Uron and Shonel (the house owner) directly across from Me.
26
In all, about 3,000 are seated at the table. I bless the foods and the beverage made from them, and invite them all to eat and drink. I eat and drink with all those who have come with Me, and the sun-dwellers eat and drink with us and rejoice in their hearts to see Me take part in the meal.