examination of the heart 444 are bolted so that someone uninvited would not enter, or that something would not be utterly ruined in the confusion. Therefore, you should also close the access to your heart so that you may quietly celebrate your spiritual wedding with Jesus, the Bridegroom of your soul; and that some impudent guest from hell would not let himself in upon finding the heart open; or at least that something would not be lost to you from among the wedding gifts collected today, having not guarded your senses. Therefore, be cautious with respect to external matters, that you may not sustain damage in internal matters. [f.142v] FOR THE FEAST OF ST. ANDREW, APOSTLE Before Holy Communion 1. “[H]e saw two brothers” (Mt 4:18). Consider how fortunate is the soul upon which God fixes His gaze; and not in vain is David’s plea: “Do not hide [Y]our face from me” (Ps 102:2), “Turn to me and be gracious to me” (Ps 119:132). Indeed, imagine that unfathomable abyss, surrounded on all sides by darkness, from which all things were formed. You will say then that such is the soul lacking the light of the divine gaze. But indeed, when that uncreated Sun would turn the light of His grace upon someone, soon, having dispersed the darkness, it gives form to the formless matter and instills it with two principles: faith and love, from which all virtues spring. Let today’s Apostle be an example: as soon as the Incarnate God looked at him attentively, he immediately followed Him, having left everything (cf. Mt 4:20). He believed and, at the same time, fell in love. Undoubtedly, if you compare your present state with the past one, you will attribute to the divine gaze the fact that you were carried from Babylon to Jerusalem, from the abyss of confusion that is, from the world to the beloved tabernacles of God. 2. “for they were fisherman” (Mt 4:18). Turn your attention to the divine providence, wisdom, and
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