THEOSISGregory the Great
Will You reveal Your might against a leaf tossed to and fro? Will You chase after the dry straw? For what is humanity, but a leaf that has fallen from the tree in Paradise? What are we but leaves swept up by the winds of temptation, uplifted by the gales of passion? The human mind is unsettled, as it truly is, by as many tempests as there are temptations that arise and fade. Anger often stirs him; once the anger passes, he finds fleeting joy in his achievements. A tormenting desire drives him, or he's overtaken by the fever of greed, scattering his focus and seeking after earthly pursuits. At times, pride elevates him, while at other times, overwhelming fear drags him down to the dust.
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Thus, seeing him lifted and tossed by various storms of temptation, he is aptly likened to a 'leaf.' As Isaiah rightly states, we have all withered like leaves, and our sins, like the wind, leads us away. For our transgressions, akin to the wind, carry us off when we do not abide in the stronghold of grace, lifting us into the empty pride of misplaced joy. Indeed, like a leaf, man might also be referred to as 'straw.' For he who was created as a 'tree' willingly became a 'leaf,' and ultimately transformed into 'straw' in his fallen condition. In his fall from grace, he was a leaf, yet even in his earthly existence, he is likened to 'straw,' for he has lost the vibrancy of inner love and is now deemed 'dry straw.' Thus, let the righteous man illustrate both the frailty of mankind and the power of God, and let him declare, Will You display Your might against a leaf tossed about, and will You pursue the dry straw? As if weeping openly, he questions, 'Why do You strike it down with such force, knowing its weakness against temptation?' And then it continues: