THEOSISGregory the Great
They who listened to me, who awaited my declarations, and remained quiet, absorbing my guidance. They felt no urge to alter my words, and my speech overflowed upon them. They longed for me as one longs for rain, and they opened their mouths wide as if anticipating the latter rain as recorded in Job 29:21-23. It is indeed our belief that this refers to those who were submissive to the esteemed Job. Yet, as we have previously noted, the Holy Church, when besieged by heretics or worldly individuals, often recalls former times when all showed her the reverence of true believers and mourned for her wicked adversaries, saying: They listened to me, awaited my words, and remained silent, absorbing my counsel.
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It is as if she were articulating, ‘Not like the current disciples who follow but refuse to accept the truth, attempting to manipulate the essence of my proclamation,’ for nowadays, the disciples ‘remain silent and heed her guidance,’ because they dare not challenge her words but embrace them in faith. Thus, to benefit from those same truths, they listen not to judge but to follow.
Of whom it is rightly stated: They dared not add anything to my words; indeed, this highlights how heretics, while they recklessly tamper with her teachings, are unrestrained in their critique of the truth of her preaching. It is further noted about receptive listeners: and my speech overflowed upon them.
What can be understood from these droplets of speech, if not the essence of divine preaching? Preaching necessitates that the good of exhortation be tailored to each individual’s capacity. The phrase They dared not add anything to my words refers to the respectful attitude of the audience. The addition, And my speech overflowed upon them, speaks to the art of proclamation. Those who teach must exercise caution to avoid exceeding the comprehension of their listeners. It is vital for the preacher to align with the limitations of their audience; if they deliver profound truths that are beyond the grasp of the little ones, they risk prioritizing their own display over the benefit of the hearers. Among those called by the Lord, there exist not only pitchers but also bowls designated for the tabernacle as stated in Exodus 25:29 and 37:16. What is signified by a ‘bowl’ if not a sermon, and what is represented by the bowls if not the humble speaking on behalf of God? Thus, at the Lord’s table, both pitchers and bowls are provided, as the teaching of Holy Revelation encompasses not only grand and profound matters that awe but also small concepts that impart knowledge as if for tasting, akin to savoring wine. Therefore, as the Holy Church endures in these final times, let her remember this delicate measure and declare, And my speech overflowed upon them.
Moreover, it is rightly added: And they awaited me as the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the late rain. For with the words of holy preaching, we are nurtured like rain, provided we humbly acknowledge the barrenness of our hearts, so that we may be rejuvenated by sacred preaching. Hence the Psalmist truthfully proclaimed to God, My soul is to thee as the earth without water as noted in Psalms 142:6. The prophet urges us to immerse ourselves in these streams, saying, Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come unto the waters as found in Isaiah 55:1. We eagerly receive the words of the sacred sermon, as though ‘opening the mouth of our hearts for the late rain.’ If there were no ‘mouth of the heart’, the Psalmist would not have remarked on the wickedness that comes from the heart: and with the heart they spoke evil things as noted in Psalm 11:3. The mouth of the heart indicates that we receive the words of the sermon; indeed, we open ourselves to its streams. This same sermon emerged for us due to His sacrifice, from whom the Psalmist reflected, And lifted up my hands as in the evening sacrifice as stated in Psalm 140:2, as our Redeemer endured at the end of the world, having experienced the tribulations inflicted by His persecutors, for He Himself ‘provided the evening sacrifice for us.’ Regarding this ‘late rain’, it is written, I will give you the early rains, and the late rain according to Jeremiah 5:24. The early rain was given as in the earlier time, He imparted knowledge of the law to His chosen ones as stated in Deuteronomy 11:14. The ‘late rain’ was bestowed because He designed for the mystery of His Incarnation to be preached in the latter days. This same mystery, which the Holy Church continually proclaims, nourishes the mouths of the hearts of her hearers with the late rain.