Thus, Truth itself cautions, "Beware lest you do your good works before men to be seen by them." Similarly, when He healed the two blind men beside the road, He instructed them, saying, "See that no one knows it." It is further noted that these very men "went out and spread his glory throughout all the earth." This raises a vital question: why would the Most High, for whom will is equivalent to power, desire for His marvelous deeds to be kept secret while simultaneously wanting His glory to be proclaimed by those who witness such acts, seemingly against His wishes? This paradox serves as an instruction to all followers of Christ to aspire for their extraordinary gifts to remain hidden, even while those gifts may inadvertently bless others when revealed. Concealing one’s accomplishments provides personal safety, yet being revealed unexpectedly serves as a righteous example to those around them. Consequently, it is written, "And when they have lighted a candle, they shall not put it under a vessel, but on a candlestick, and it shall shine to all in the house." Thus, your light should shine before others, so they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. There are times when the righteous are compelled to perform good works openly or speak of their deeds to their neighbors, but this should always direct the glory not to themselves but rather to their Father in Heaven. Preaching about holy matters without personal integrity can undermine its effectiveness. Therefore, preachers may need to share their own experiences to make a genuine impact on their audience. They recount their deeds to lend weight to their sermons and command the respect of their listeners. As it is stated, "And when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, then the wheels were lifted up," illustrating that when listeners connect with the lives of those preaching, they honor the spoken truth.
Thus, good preachers simultaneously avoid seeking personal glory yet desire to inspire others through their actions. The Apostle Paul clearly exemplifies this balance; addressing the Thessalonians, he denies seeking accolades while subtly establishing his worthiness for honor. "For we never came with flattering speech, nor with a pretext for greed, as you know. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ; but we were gentle among you." In his letter to the Corinthians, he maintains his humility, stating, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." However, in addressing the false teachers who deviated from true faith, he asserts his credentials. "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one." He also recounted how he received revelations from the third heaven and glimpses into Paradise, emphasizing that, despite his humility, his qualifications surpass those of his adversaries. Throughout, he illustrates that true honor arises from humility, demonstrating his servanthood to the disciples while proving his superiority over false apostles. Thus, he displays the distinction between personal humility and rightful honor, showing the gifts bestowed upon him while remaining grounded in thought.
Saints, when compelled to reveal their good deeds, do so not for their own glorification but for the benefit of others. When Job's friends accuse him unjustly, unaware of his virtue, he articulately reveals his righteousness not to elevate himself but to guide them in silence as they learn from his example. Through the trials he faces, Job's recollections of his good deeds serve to uplift him, inspiring hope amidst despair. Hence, he declares, "I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame."
In examining examples of righteous living, it's essential to recognize the proper sequence: first, one should define acts of righteousness, and then discuss acts of mercy. A person can only show true mercy when they first understand justice; only then can the flow of mercy to others arise from a foundation of righteousness. Many extend kindness outwardly but simultaneously engage in unrighteous behavior. To genuinely offer mercy, one must first live justly, ensuring that their assistance to others reflects true righteousness. As it's written, "Have mercy on your soul, pleasing God." Therefore, one who extends mercy to their neighbor must also embody mercy towards themselves. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." How can someone show compassion to others while remaining unjust and cruel to themselves? Hence, the wise man rightly asks, "He who is wicked to himself, for whom will he be good?"
For acts of mercy to be truly effective, two elements must be present: the giver and what is given. However, the value of the giver exceeds that of mere possessions. Thus, one who offers external aid yet fails to maintain moral integrity presents their goods to God but their soul to sin, as material offerings are lesser than their very being. Job insightfully remarks, "In truth I am clothed, and have clothed me as in a garment, and my judgment is as a crown," subsequently stating, "I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame." Only when mercy grows from the roots of righteousness is the offering acceptable to God, as both hands are engaged in acts of goodness. He continues to express the depth of his compassion, reaching out to the weak and destitute, proclaiming, "I was a father to the poor."
If we turn our attention to the representation of the Holy Church, we can understand Job's words in a profound manner. The Church grants "eyes to the blind" by imparting wisdom through the Word, as well as "feet to the lame" by providing support. She enlightens the spiritually blind and aids the physically or spiritually weak. The "blind" represent those lacking direction, while the "lame" symbolize those unable to pursue what they understand to be right. Sin arises from both ignorance and weakness, as some fail to discern their rightful paths while others lack the strength to walk it. The Psalmist rightly asserts, "The Lord is my light and my salvation," for the Lord provides both illumination and strength, combating ignorance as Light and bolstering the weak as Salvation. Conversely, concerning the unrighteous, he laments, "Let their way be dark and slippery," highlighting that in darkness they cannot navigate rightly, and those who see but remain unstable fail to press ahead. Thus, some falter amidst good, while others remain in ignorance of what is truly good. In her suffering, the Holy Church reminisces about past glory when she was able to enlighten and sustain, echoing Job's words: "I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame."
As she encompasses two peoples, the Jews and the Gentiles, it is fitting to view the Gentile nations as the "blind"—lacking the Law and guidance. Conversely, the Jewish people, although having received the Law, resemble the "lame," as they struggle to fulfill it through right action. If the Gentiles had not been blind, the prophet would not have proclaimed, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light." Similarly, the Psalmist would not have bemoaned the Jewish people’s failures had they been faithful in practice. They are aptly described as a "lame nation" because they do not fully embrace both aspects of God’s Covenant. When the Holy Church welcomes those steeped in the Old Covenant, she also introduces them to the New Covenant, thereby helping them to step firmly towards righteousness. Furthermore, the faithful in the Holy Church are rightly regarded as "fathers to the poor," as they nurture the humble, who are "poor in spirit," through their preaching. Nonetheless, it is vital to remain accurate and attentive to the specific words of Scripture and history.
THEOSIS