THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The unique inheritances, along with cities taken from others, are bestowed by God upon the holy priests as their rewards; however, the glorified Jerusalem stands as a common inheritance for all. This is affirmed in Deuteronomy, where it says, “And if a Levite shall come from one of thy dwellings, out of all the land of the children of Israel, where he dwelt, and shall come, according to the desire of his soul, to the place which the Lord shall choose, and shall serve in the name of the Lord his God, as all his brethren the Levites who stand there before the Lord, then let them enjoy the same portion, over and above that which they received from the sale of their father's property” (Deuteronomy 18:6-8).
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Just as there is one God for all priests in every place, those elevated to this sacred office and selected by divine decree must be united in their ministry. While each priest has a distinct city and inheritance, he can join the priesthood when he travels from one city to another, participating in the service with other priests, and receiving honor in accordance with the laws of love. This law also seems to hint at a deeper mystery: countless locations exist throughout the world where holy and devoted souls serve God, living righteously and evangelically, symbolically offering sacrifices to Him in a spiritual fragrance composed of faith, hope, love, patience, meekness, and charity towards the needy; for, “for such sacrifices are acceptable to God,” as stated in the Scriptures (Hebrews 13:16). They all gather, as it were, to a single divine mother, “to the heavenly Jerusalem... the church of the firstborn” (Heb. 12:22-23), the most magnificent city, “the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath erected, and not man” (Heb. 8:2). There, the pure will serve, for our sins will be completely removed, and there shall be neither lion nor serpent, nor basilisk nor aspid: for it is written, “And it shall be there... the way therein shall be called the way of the holy one....” (Heb. 8:2). No lion or beast of prey shall ascend upon it (Isaiah 35:8-9). There, we will partake of the portion designated for us, as it is said, “The fruit of thy labours shalt thou bear” (Ps. 127:2). Will there not be greater recompense for our efforts, reflecting the abundant goodness of the Lord, corresponding to the labor of each individual? For “with the measure of good things,” it is declared, “they shall be poured out for you into your bosom” (Luke 6:38).