THEOSISGregory the Great
Gold and glass are not to be considered worthy in relation to this wisdom. Job 28:17. Who among those who hear and understand these sounds would claim they are meant to be interpreted literally? As previously stated, ‘glass’ is of far lesser value than ‘gold,’ and it follows that if ‘gold’ cannot be matched with this wisdom, then equally, ‘glass’ is incapable of such comparison. This literal interpretation does not fulfill our understanding, hence it directs us towards exploring the greater mystery found within allegory. We recognize that gold is the most luminous of all metals. Conversely, glass, while lacking brilliance itself, allows light to pass through and remains entirely clear on both sides.
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In any other material, the contents are concealed, but within glass, everything held inside is visible without any hinderance, revealing even the liquid within a sealed glass vessel.
So what are we to derive from ‘gold and glass’ other than a vision of the Heavenly Kingdom, a place inhabited by holy citizens who possess hearts that are both radiant and transparently pure? This is the land that John saw in the Revelation, where he described, "And its walls were of jasper, and the city was pure gold like pure glass" Rev. 21:18. Since all the Saints will shine with the utmost brightness of joy, it is fitting that the city is portrayed as being constructed of gold. Their radiance mutually illuminates each other, and within this transparent vessel, the conscience of every individual reflects purity akin to gold and glass. Here, each person's thoughts, liberated from the confines of flesh, will be visible to one another, and they will perceive each other’s true essence far more acutely than they can perceive themselves today.
However, in our earthly existence, our hearts cannot be fully seen by others; instead, they are encased in vessels of clay. This clay signifies our mortal essence, which the prophet lamented when he said, "Call me out of the clay, lest I perhaps fade fast" Ps. 68:15. Paul further refers to it as "our earthly house," stating, "For we know that when our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have from God a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" 2 Cor. 5:1. While we inhabit this corruptible mortal frame, our inward understanding remains limited, obscured by the flesh. Thus, although the Holy Church yearns to witness her Bridegroom in His Divine essence, she is unable to do so because His eternal nature is concealed beneath the human form He adopted, as reflected in the Song of Songs, where it is said, "Behold, he stands at our side outside the wall" Song 2:9. This suggests, in simpler terms, that she longs to witness Him as God, yet her vision is hindered by the barrier of flesh He established.
Indeed, while we dwell in this perishable body, we cannot perceive the thoughts hidden in others’ hearts. It is for this reason that Paul speaks: "Who among men knows what is in man, except the spirit of man which is in him?" 1 Cor. 2:11. Furthermore, he states, "Therefore judge not any man before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts" 1 Cor. 4:5. The city, therefore, where the hearts of its inhabitants are visible in their transparent vessels reveals both individuality and mutuality in gold and glass—gold for radiance and glass for clarity.
Yet, despite the stunning luminescence of all the saints within it, none can compare to Wisdom. Thus, it is rightly asserted, "Gold and glass cannot compare with it." All saints aspire to these eternal rewards, drawn to live in the image of God as it is written, "When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" 1 John 3:2. Yet it is also declared, "O Lord, God of power! Who is like unto Thee?" Ps. 88:9. And again, "Who is like unto God among the sons of God?" Ps. 88:7. We must ponder, how can they be both like Him and yet not like Him? They are alike in appearance but not in essence. As they glimpse the eternity of God, they too are imparted a sense of eternity, and in receiving the blessing of beholding Him, they are transformed into His likeness. Both are blessed, thus reflecting a resemblance to God, as they are eternal; however, they cannot equate to the Unfathomable One because they are finite beings.
Hence, it is accurate to proclaim, "Gold and glass cannot compare with it." For while the saints shine with unmatched transparency and clarity, it is one thing for a man to possess wisdom from God, and quite another to embody the Wisdom of God Himself. Moreover, it is stated, "it shall not be exchanged for golden vessels, high and overflowing" Job 28:17.
The Old Testament patriarchs were indeed esteemed as high and filled with golden vessels. However, this Wisdom of God came to us incarnate, to redeem us from our earthly existence. Many who failed to perceive this Wisdom in Her true radiance mistook the Mediator between God and humanity, Jesus Christ, for merely another prophet. Yet Christ elevated the awareness of the elect towards God, for those who looked upon Him merely saw a man. Thus, He inquired of His holy Apostles, "For whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" Matthew 16:13-17. When they replied that some believed Him to be John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah, He then posed a question challenging their understanding: "But who do you say that I am?" Peter, speaking on behalf of the Church, declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." We also learn from Paul that Jesus is "Christ, the Power of God and the Wisdom of God" 1 Cor. 1:24. Peter, recognizing Her true nature, would not trade this Wisdom for high and overflowing golden vessels.
As noted previously, the esteemed golden vessels were John and Elijah, as well as Jeremiah. To assert that God was any of these prophets is to trade the true Wisdom for mere golden vessels. The Church refuses to exchange this Wisdom for high and overflowing golden vessels, affirming that Christ, the Son of God, is far more than any prophet—He is the Lord of all those prophets. When she witnessed Wisdom come to her, she was not content to remain with mere golden vessels; she was determined to embrace this Wisdom with a complete assurance of faith. Hence, she sings in the Song of Songs, "The guards round about the city found me, and I said, ‘Have you not seen him whom my soul loves?’" But as soon as she departed from them, she found the One her soul longs for Song of Songs 3:3-4.
Who, then, are the "watchmen guarding the city," but the ancient patriarchs and prophets, who guide our safe passage with their holy teachings? Yet when the Church sought her Redeemer, she did not place all hope in these heralds; she declared, "But scarcely had I departed from them, when I found him whom my soul loves." She would not have discovered Him had she clung to them. The unbelievers remained attached to these watchmen, wrongly believing that Christ was merely one of the prophets. But through the voice of Peter's faith, the Holy Church transcended the guards, refusing to believe that the Lord was anything less than He is. Hence, we affirm, "She shall not be exchanged for vessels of gold, high and overflowing." So the loyal elect honor the lives of the saints for their exalted status, yet they do not err by equating them with the God-man. Thus, the text continues: