THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
He has given you a sign, He says, as a covenant between Himself and all living beings on the earth. Do not let your spirit be troubled, nor your thoughts waver. Instead, let this sign inspire trust in you, and may it bring comfort to all your descendants. Look upon this sign and understand that such a deluge will never occur again in the world. Though human sin may increase, I will keep my promise and will no longer express such wrath against all mankind. Can you perceive the richness of God’s goodness? Can you recognize the magnitude of His humility? Can you see the depth of His care? Observe the generosity of His promises. God did not limit His kindness to a select few generations but vowed to maintain it until the end of time.
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This encourages us to acknowledge both: that Noah's contemporaries faced punishment for their numerous sins, and that we have been honored by God’s incredible mercy through such a promise. Those who are aware of this are more compelled to follow God’s commandments by embracing His favors rather than being driven by fear of punishment. Let us remain thankful. If God honors us with blessings despite our shortcomings, or better stated, in light of our many transgressions, imagine the abundance of His gifts that will come when we express gratitude for past favors and strive for improvement in our lives. If He offers grace to the unworthy and shows compassion to the sinful, how much more will be given to us when we reject sin and pursue virtue? Thus, He bestows numerous benefits upon us even before we have done any good, granting us forgiveness in our failings and administering corrections gradually, encouraging us through both kindness and patience. Often, in the punishment of some, He seeks to enlighten others, so they may learn from another's misfortune and avoid suffering themselves. Observe how wise His humanity is, and how every action He undertakes is for our salvation alone. Therefore, in contemplating this, let us remain vigilant, not neglecting virtue or violating the commandments He has set forth. If He perceives our turn towards goodness, our humility, and our earnestness in making even a slight effort towards a virtuous life, He will assist us, rendering our journey manageable, allowing us to feel little strain in performing acts of righteousness. Indeed, when the soul focuses its thoughts on God, it becomes impervious to the temptation of worldly delights. Instead of being caught up in external pleasures, it contemplates eternal realities that are not subject to change, remaining steadfast and unwavering. Such are the eyes of the mind; they are steadfastly oriented towards the contemplation of divine truths, and when illuminated by their radiance, the things of this world appear as mere shadows or dreams, not capable of deceiving or captivating us. If they encounter wealth, they regard it with derision, recognizing its transitory nature—more flighty than the most errant slave, it moves from hand to hand without permanence and often leads its owners into moral decline. When confronted with physical beauty, the mind is not beguiled, understanding its frailty and impermanence; sickness can swiftly mar beauty, age can distort a once lovely visage, and death ultimately extinguishes all corporeal allure. Whether one sees someone adorned with fame or authority, having reached the pinnacle of recognition and reveling in prosperity, they are viewed as individuals with nothing enduring, their status as fleeting as rivers in motion. Indeed, what could be more trivial than the fleeting honors of this life when compared to mere grass? “All the glory of man,” Scripture reminds us, “is as the flower of the grass” (Isaiah 40:6; 1 Pet. 1:24). Beloved, do you perceive how clearly the eyes of faith perceive when the soul is anchored in God? See how they remain undeceived by any visible temptations, possessing a sound discernment of reality, free from the snares of falsehood? Yet, if you wish, let us return briefly to our topic, offering a bit more before concluding our discourse, ensuring that what has been conveyed lingers in your minds.