Discourse 54

Again, other chapters on the subject of the invocation. And on the other side, it was said to us concerning this in those high matters, according to the place that gave hand: that it might be clarified more fully. Again, here it is not necessary for us. The invocation is this: a name indicating help and benefit, and also the reception of the gift of the heavenly gift, like this: "May the Spirit of the Holy One come, and may the power of the High One descend upon you." And another like this: "May the Lord cause your day to descend upon me." For it is a request for help. And like this: "May he descend upon this city and save it." For in truth, two kinds are understood concerning the action of the invocation that occurs from God upon the enemies. One is sacramental and knowable, and the other is practical. And that first one is of holiness, which is received by divine grace. This one, then, by the action of the Spirit of the Holy One, a person is sanctified in his body and in his soul, like that of Elisha and John, and the blessed Mary, blessed among women. Except that this is without price and above the order of the created things. But it comes to that which is by the side of the rest of the saints, like limbs from a body.

The mystical type of invocation: like those which are with each one of the saints, which is a type of activity that acts upon the mind. And when a person becomes worthy of this invocation, the mind is seized with wonder and is extended, by means of a divine revelation. And how many times does the activity of the invocation act upon the mind, beyond the natural movement of personal thoughts that a person has, through the participation of the Holy Spirit. And this is what was said by the Apostle in the form of a prayer to the Ephesians, when he wished to make known this mystery, and he says: "The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, has given you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in his knowledge, and has illuminated the eyes of your hearts." And what of this? That you may know what the hope of his calling is, and what the wealth of the glory of his inheritance among the saints is, and what the preeminence of the greatness of his power is, among those who believe in him. This is a mystical type of invocation: that when this power acts upon a person, he becomes worthy of the glory of the new world through revelation. And this is the gift that has reached the saints in light, of which the blessed Paul said: that those who have received the sanctity of the mind from the Spirit are not worthy, through their holy and excellent practices.

Another type of invocation: that which is known by its activity. It is a power that is known, which hides and hovers over a person silently, and from it the mind is terrified of some occurrence or event that is about to happen, which is about to approach his body or his soul. That which is not visible is perceived by the senses; it is vigilant and known in the eye of faith. That which is more known to the saints is its help, as it is written: the encampment of the angels of the Lord surrounds those who fear Him and protects them. And many are the helps of the righteous, and from all of them the Lord protects them.