Preparing the Soul for the Dwelling of the Heavenly Groom

By Archdeacon Habib Guirgus

O my soul, love grace and hate sin and evil.

Follow the light and leave aside darkness.

Vigilance, awareness and watching are the virtues that allow God to enlighten you with the morning delight.
Block your eyes from looking at the deceits of the world and its arrogance.

Secure your ears from hearing the flattery of sin.
Enlarge the capacity of your heart for spiritual joy.
Open your doors to enter the eternal light by its truthful rays and it will comfort you and cause you to rejoice.  It will pluck out your sorrow and depression; it will qualify you for salvation and grant you rest and eternal life; and it will obscure you from the darkness of sin, the sting of death, and the power of Satan and Hades.

Examine your heart carefully, and search your conscious accurately, to reveal all that is hidden within you, so that it may be cast out by the grace of the Spirit. Then, you will be able to open your door for the peace of God, which surpasses the mind.

He is waiting to enter into you, to make you rejoice, and grant you rest, consolation and sweetness, all of which attracts the mind.

His grace will pour on you like rain, His light will radiate in your heart, His rays will illuminate around you to enlighten your inner parts, and you will become free from the servitude of sin.

Cast out the evil beasts from your heart, and shake off the dust of evil from your dwelling-place, to prepare it for the Groom, who is coming to dwell in you.
Wait for Him in joy and happiness, and He will come shortly.

Wait for Him and He will come soon without delay.
My soul, watch and listen carefully! Do you not hear His joyful voice? He is coming in His glory, in His honored and powerful chariot, along with chants and cheers!
How beautiful and glorified is His being. Here comes the Groom, let us go to meet Him! Come, O my Lord, come, O my Savior; "Surely I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:20).
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you. Draw me after you, let us make haste. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you" (Song 1:2-4).

"As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention toward me was love. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love. O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me" (Song 2:3-6).

"My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies. Until the day breathes and the shadows flee" (Song 2:16, 17).