Alternatively, the term ‘pledge’ may denote a confession of sin, as seen in the Law: If your brother owes you something and you take an obligation from him, you must return the pledge before sunset Ex. 22:25-26. Our brother becomes indebted to us when he wrongs us, for we refer to sins as ‘debts.’ Hence, when the servant sinned, he was told, I forgave you all your debt Matthew 18:32, and in the Lord's Prayer, we pray, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors Matthew 6:12. We receive a pledge ‘from our debtor’ when the one who has sinned against us confesses their sin, prompting us to seek forgiveness for the wrong done to us. By confessing, they essentially provide a ‘pledge’ for their debt, which we are commanded to ‘return before the sun sets.’ Within us, through the anguish of the heart, the Sun of Truth must shine, necessitating that we affirm the forgiveness we have granted to the one who confessed their wrongdoing, allowing them to understand that their offense has indeed been forgiven. Thus, when the Holy Church welcomes back those heretics who return to the true faith, persuading them to confess their sins, Eliphaz observed, as representative of the heretics: you have taken pledges from your brethren in vain, meaning you demand from those who come to you from us a confession of their errors without justification. Conversely, as previously mentioned, if we consider the ‘pledges’ to be the gifts of the Holy Spirit, heretics claim that the Holy Church has ‘taken away the pledges from the brethren,’ as they perceive that those who return to her lose the gifts of the Spirit. Hence, it continues: and from the naked their garments. 7. Heretics anticipate that those they mislead will adopt their doctrines as a sort of garment. They see them as clothed as long as their teachings reflect what they preach. When individuals return to the Holy Church from their ranks, they immediately conclude that these returnees have shed their garments of knowledge. However, while one who is ‘naked’ cannot be further unclothed, we must inquire why they are first categorized as ‘naked,’ only later referred to as those from whom ‘the garments have been removed.’ It should be understood that anyone possessing a pure heart, who does not don the cloak of duplicity, is deemed ‘naked.’ Some heretics may have a pure heart yet adhere to the twisted principles of their doctrine. They are thus ‘naked’ due to their purity but ‘clothed’ in the false teachings they follow. Such individuals can easily return to the Holy Church, being unacquainted with the wickedness of duplicity, while heretics view those stripped of their doctrine's garments as ‘naked,’ regarding all simple-minded individuals as foolish and slow-witted upon observing them abandon their erroneous beliefs. 8. Consequently, it follows: You have not offered water to the weary; you have denied bread to the hungry. Those heretics, lacking a firm grasp of the truth, become increasingly obsessed with maintaining a facade of reasoning as they oppose the true faith, boasting of their learning. They endeavor to lure all whom they encounter into their web of misguided reasoning, believing that their actions, which lead both themselves and others to ruin, somehow contribute to life. We denote as ‘weary’ those burdened by the relentless toil of this world. The Truth itself invites, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will comfort you Matthew 11:28. Thus, while heretics incessantly propagate their doctrines, they mock the Holy Church, accusing her of negligence: You did not give water to the weary; you refused bread to the hungry. They mistakenly believe they ‘give water to the weary’ when they offer the cup of their own falsehoods to those laboring under worldly burdens. They claim not to ‘deny bread to the hungry,’ even when challenged about deep, hidden, and incomprehensible matters, responding with arrogance and bravado. Hence, they present themselves as more learned, surpassing others when they shallowly engage in discussions about the unknown. In contrast, the Holy Church, upon encountering someone who desires what would not be beneficial for them, may withhold deeper understanding if already known or confess with humility if it is thought to be unknown. Therefore, with humility, she instructs all her ministers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought but to think soberly Rom. 12:3. Moreover, she admonishes: do not be conceited, but fear Rom. 11:20. Again, she advises: do not seek out things too profound for you; nor pursue matters beyond your capability Sir. 3:21. Additionally, it is said: Have you found honey? Consume as much as is sufficient for you, lest you be sated and then vomit it up Proverbs 25:16. Finding honey signifies experiencing the sweetness of holy knowledge. If we partake in moderation, our understanding strengthens and remains in control. However, one who becomes ‘satiated with honey and vomits it out,’ striving to delve deeper than their capacity allows, risks losing even the knowledge they have obtained through excess. Thus, seeing that the Holy Church cautions the weak-minded against delving into profound truths, it follows that he said to blessed Job, And you have refused bread to the hungry. 9. Furthermore, heretics envy her greatness, noting how the Holy Church retains many souls in the true faith, and whenever she experiences a season of earthly prosperity, they rise against her with pride, openly berating her in a manner that reflects their prior jealousy of her power. Thus, it continues: Into your strong hand you have taken possession of the land, and, as the mightiest, you have retained it. It is as if he plainly articulated, ‘When you took hold of the land where everyone is in your preaching, it was not through the wisdom of truth but through the force of strength.’ Observing Christian rulers steadfast in her teachings, they view the followers who come to her alongside these rulers not as the outcome of righteousness but as a manifestation of earthly power.
THEOSIS