continued, “to ask any questions at all; for if it is needful to explain anything, it will be made
known to you.” I said to him, “Sir, whatsoever you show me, and do not explain, I shall have
seen to no purpose, not understanding its meaning. In like manner, also, if you speak parables
to me, and do not unfold them, I shall have heard your words in vain.” And he answered
me again, saying, “Every one who is the servant of God, and has his Lord in his heart, asks
of Him understanding, and receives it, and opens up every parable; and the words of the
Lord become known to him which are spoken in parables.273 But those who are weak and
slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion,
and gives without fail to all who ask Him. But you, having been strengthened by the holy
Angel,274 and having obtained from Him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do
not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from Him?” I said to him, “Sir, having
you with me, I am necessitated to ask questions of you, for you show me all things, and
converse with me; but if I were to see or hear these things without you, I would then ask the
Lord to explain them.”
Chap. V.
“I said to you a little ago,” he answered, “that you were cunning and obstinate in asking
explanations of the parables; but since you are so persistent, I shall unfold to you the
meaning of the similitudes of the field, and of all the others that follow, that you may make
them known to every one.275 Hear now,” he said, “and understand them. The field is this
world; and the Lord of the field is He who created, and perfected, and strengthened all things;
[and the son is the Holy Spirit;276] and the slave is the Son of God; and the vines are this
people, whom He Himself planted; and the stakes are the holy angels of the Lord, who keep
His people together; and the weeds that were plucked out of the vineyard are the iniquities
of God’s servants; and the dishes which He sent Him from His table are the commandments
which He gave His people through His Son; and the friends and fellow-councillors are the
holy angels who were first created; and the Master’s absence from home is the time that re-
mains until His appearing.” I said to him, “Sir, all these are great, and marvellous, and
glorious things. Could I, therefore,” I continued, “understand them? No, nor could any
other man, even if exceedingly wise. Moreover,” I added, “explain to me what I am about
to ask you.” “Say what you wish,” he replied. “Why, sir,” I asked, “is the Son of God in the
parable in the form of a slave?”
273 [Matt. xiii. 11; Jas. i. 5.]
274 [Luke. xxii. 43.]
275 [Part of the commission again.]
276 This clause occurs only in the Vatican. It does not occur in Lips., Pal., or in the Æth.
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Similitude Fifth. Of True Fasting and Its Reward: Also of Purity of Bo…