THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
And not only he but also Ishmael and his entire household underwent the rite of circumcision. It is significant, dear friends, to note that it matters whether a thriving part of the body is severed or a part afflicted with illness. Physicians sometimes remove a diseased limb, and in such cases, the pain is often less intense. Here, the member is, in a sense, cut off while lifeless, having already lost its vitality. Meanwhile, an aged man, having reached the venerable age of a hundred, bears the discomfort with patience, striving to obey the divine command and instilling in his son and household a fervent desire to adhere swiftly to God’s will. Witness the greatness of his virtue, as he instructs all his servants to emulate his example.
Read more (538 words)
I reiterate what I expressed yesterday: from the time of Abraham's initial circumcision and that of his household, God ordained that children should be initiated into this rite at a young age, so that they might unconsciously receive this physical marking without experiencing pain.
Consider, dear friends, also the compassion of God and His boundless goodness toward us. In the Old Testament, circumcision was merely an experience of suffering and toil, providing no other advantage except that it distinguished the Jews from other nations. In contrast, our circumcision—referring to the grace of baptism—is a painless restoration and a source of countless blessings. It enriches us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and does not require a specific time for its administration as in the past; everyone—whether young or old—may receive this unmanifested circumcision, which is easy to endure and liberates us from the weight of sin, granting forgiveness for all transgressions throughout life.
Thus, God, in His mercy, understanding our profound frailty and recognizing our need for a potent remedy paired with His immeasurable compassion, has provided us with renewal through the cleansing waters of baptism. This sacrament enables us, having cast aside our former selves and their wicked deeds, to embrace the new and walk the path of virtue. Yet, I urge you not to be more ungrateful and insensitive than the Jews. They, having been marked with the sign of circumcision, were diligent in separating themselves from the Gentiles—even in ordinary interactions—while their own unrighteousness often surpassed that of the pagans. We, having received the circumcision of baptism, must conduct ourselves with care. I am not suggesting that we entirely avoid the Gentiles; however, we should remain steadfast in our virtues, drawing them toward godliness through the exemplification of our good works.
This is why the Lord permitted both the virtuous and the wicked, the godly and the ungodly, to coexist; that the unrighteous might benefit from the righteous and those who lead sinful lives might be inspired to pursue righteousness. God’s foremost concern is the salvation of our souls. Let us not be negligent regarding our own well-being or that of our neighbors; let us strive to order our lives in a manner pleasing to God and to reflect virtue, thereby silently instructing all who observe us. Just as our adherence to virtue yields great blessings for ourselves and benefits non-believers, the opposite holds true—should we succumb to carelessness, we will not only face severe consequences but also lead others astray.
When we embody virtue, we receive immense rewards from God—not just for our righteous lives but also for encouraging those around us toward virtue. Conversely, in engaging in sinful behavior, we face punishment not only for our own misdoings but also for leading others into temptation. May this never be the case for anyone among us; rather, let us direct our lives toward building up those who witness our actions, so that we may stand confidently before the judgment of Christ and receive the immeasurable blessings to come, through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, and honor, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.