THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
And not only Abraham but also Ishmael and all those in his household underwent circumcision. Beloved, it is not the same whether a healthy part of the body is severed or a diseased one. Physicians may remove a sick member, and in such cases, the pain is often less severe. Here, the member that is cut off is lifeless, having already lost its vitality. Yet an aged man, who has lived for a century, faces this suffering with a calm spirit, striving to obey the command of God while inspiring zeal in his son and household for the prompt observance of God’s instruction. Consider the virtue of such a man—he teaches all his servants to emulate his example.
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What I mentioned yesterday I also reiterate now: since that initial circumcision of Abraham and his household, God has ordained that infants should be circumcised at a tender age, so that they may receive the physical sign without experiencing pain.
Moreover, beloved, observe the compassion of God and His boundless goodness toward us. In the Old Testament, circumcision brought only hardship and effort, serving primarily as a mark that distinguished the Jews from other nations. In contrast, our circumcision—referring to the grace of baptism—is a painless healing, a source of countless blessings that fills us with the grace of the Holy Spirit. It does not necessitate a specific time, unlike the former practice. Rather, individuals of all ages, be they children, adults, or the elderly, may partake in this spiritual circumcision, which is easy to endure and lifts the burden of sin while offering the forgiveness of transgressions committed throughout life.
Thus, God, in His mercy, aware of our frailty and the need for a profound remedy, has orchestrated our salvation by providing this renewal through the bath of baptism. This allows us to shed the old self—symbolic of our sinful actions—and embrace the new self, enabling us to walk in the path of righteousness. However, let us not be less grateful or mindful than the Jews. They received the sign of circumcision and were careful to avoid mingling with Gentiles regarding external relations, yet often acted with greater wickedness than those they sought to distance themselves from. We, having received the circumcision of baptism, must conduct ourselves with care. I do not suggest we should shun interaction with Gentiles, but rather that, grounded in our virtues, we should draw them toward godliness and encourage them through our righteous deeds.
The Lord allows both the righteous and the unrighteous to coexist so that the wicked may learn from the good, guiding those who live in ungodliness to a virtuous life. God’s greatest concern is the salvation of our souls. Therefore, let us be diligent both for our own sake and for the benefit of our neighbors. We must live in a manner that pleases God while also shining with virtue to inspire those around us. If we remain steadfast in virtue, we will reap abundant rewards for ourselves and will also positively impact non-believers. Conversely, if we become careless, we will face grave consequences and may lead others into temptation. Just as virtue brings great blessings from God, both for our own lives and as we attract others to righteousness, so too sinful actions bring punishment not only for our own misdeeds but also for leading others astray.
Let it not be so among any present here. Instead, let us all strive to live in a manner that edifies others who observe us, so we may stand with courage before the judgment seat of Christ and receive the indescribable blessings that await us through the grace and humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power, and honor, now and always, and forevermore. Amen.