THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The ancient Revelation encourages us to embody kindness and compassion, a truth that becomes clear when we observe its teachings. For instance, it states, ‘Open your heart to your brother who needs you’ (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). Similarly, it admonishes, ‘You shall not oppress a stranger, nor oppress him, for you yourselves were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not oppress widows or orphans; but if you oppress them, when they cry out to Me, I will hear their cry, and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children orphans. If you lend money to a poor man of My people, you shall not oppress him or impose a growth on him.
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If you take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, before the setting of the sun return it: for it is the only covering he has, it is the garment of his body: in what shall he sleep? Therefore, when he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am merciful’ (Ex. 22:21-27).
Notice how, after imparting a gentle exhortation of mutual love, He couples it with a warning of impending judgment. He almost defends Himself before those who might face His wrath if they fail to extend kindness to their fellow humans. ‘I am merciful,’ He asserts; in His nature, He embodies goodness and compassion. He promises to hear the cries of the wronged and to respond with empathy for those suffering from poverty. Thus, it is imperative to address the grievances of the needy promptly.