THEOSISGregory the Great
The year of our enlightenment will culminate when the eternal Judge of the sacred Church arrives to fulfill her journey. At that moment, she will be rewarded for her efforts; having completed the trials of this life, she will return to her true homeland. In this regard, the prophet aptly declares, ‘Thou crownest the summer of Thy goodness’ (Psalm 64:12). The culmination of the year serves as a blessing, symbolizing the acknowledgment of virtues earned through perseverance. The days of the year represent individual virtues, while the months embody the collective mercies bestowed. Thus, if one remains steadfast in faith, there is hope that the appearance of the Judge will bring about reward.
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However, all the wrongs committed will also be brought to light, raising significant concern that the stern Judge, while rewarding the virtues, will also scrutinize the sins, weighing them with precision—as if the year’s end includes the darkness of night.
There are those who not only fail to repent for their actions but also take pride in them, seeking validation. Yet, guilt that seeks excuse truly multiplies itself. To this end, the writer wisely declares: My son, if thou hast sinned, add no more sins, and pray for the previous ones (Sir 21:1). For he who tries to justify wrongdoing only deepens his sin; the shadow of night lingers for the one who compounds the darkness of rationalization with guilt. Consider Adam, who, when questioned about his transgression, sought to deflect responsibility. Instead of acknowledging his fault, Adam justified his error by saying, The woman whom thou gavest me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate (Gen. 3:12). In doing so, Adam essentially admonished the Creator, implying that the blame lay with God for providing him with a wife. This tendency to rationalize wrongdoing has persisted throughout humanity: when evil is committed, there is an immediate impulse to justify it.