THEOSISGregory the Great
But now they perceive no illumination, as Job expresses in Job 37:21. This light is indeed foretold through the prophet, as stated, “The people that sit in darkness shall see a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). He explains how this light can be perceived by people when he continues: “The air will suddenly gather into clouds.” The air, characterized by its loose nature, is scattered and cannot coalesce into a firm substance. In contrast, clouds become more substantial as they gain density. The term ‘air’ symbolizes the thoughts of worldly individuals, who are consumed by countless desires of this life and, lacking density, are dispersed like air.
Read more (259 words)
Yet, when unstable minds, strengthened by Divine Grace, focus on righteousness, they can unite themselves within the depths of their hearts and refrain from scattering into trivial thoughts.
Peter embodied this air when he was busy seeking the sustenance of the flesh, easily swayed by earthly temptations. The apostles were also like air; although they had grasped the profound truths of the Law, they had not yet been fortified by faith. However, the air was abruptly transformed into clouds as the fluctuating hearts of the fishermen were uplifted by Divine Grace, turning them into bold proclaimers. Their feeble thoughts were fortified, enabling them to hold wisdom like clouds that nourish the earth with their teachings. Once their mission was fulfilled, they could return to the hidden realms of heaven and, upon acceptance of their labor, attain eternal rest. Thus, it is immediately added: “And the passing wind shall carry them away.”
The wind that passes symbolizes our current existence. This wind comes and takes the clouds away, as earthly life, while transient, conceals the holy preachers from our sight. The fleeting wind disperses the clouds; similarly, because temporal life is fleeting, the apostles are withdrawn from the corporeal realm and hidden in a place of secret rest, akin to the depths of heaven. However, they do not cease their proclamation even after passing, as they traverse the span of our temporal existence like clouds, showering down the wisdom of their words. It is precisely this that is crafted through their efforts in the Holy Church, as he promptly states: