THEOSISGregory the Great
He observes all beneath the heavens, and His brilliance encompasses the farthest reaches of the earth, as noted in Job 37:31. This suggests that He, who reigns over the highest realms, does not neglect even the most distant places. His vigilant governance extends equally to both grand events and minute details. For the One who is omnipresent cannot be segregated from His essence, even amidst diverse circumstances. He interacts with all creation uniformly and, although present everywhere, remains unconstrained by any specific locale, maintaining His unity regardless of His varied presence.
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Understanding "heavens" to refer to sanctified preachers—as the psalmist affirms, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1)—suggests that, following the descent of the Holy Spirit signified by the ‘sound of the mouth,’ it is fitting to note, “He observes all beneath the heavens, and His light reaches the ends of the earth.”
There are those who, upon hearing of the marvelous acts of the Apostles—such as raising the dead through the Holy Spirit, casting out demons, foretelling future events, and proclaiming the gospel of the only-begotten Son of God in various tongues—grow suspicious that divine grace has departed from the Church because they do not witness such power today. They neglect the truth that it is written, “He is a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). The Holy Church requires miraculous assistance in times of persecution and distress. After overcoming the arrogance of disbelief, She no longer seeks signs of miracles but rather displays a multitude of acts of faith, as it is stated: “Tongues are a sign not for believers, but for unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:22). Where conviction abounds, what need is there for signs that should be demonstrated?
To perhaps further enrich our understanding, consider the example of Paul, the esteemed preacher, who, upon arriving in Melita, recognized the island's lack of faith. Through his prayers, he healed Publius’s father, who was afflicted with fever and dysentery (Acts 28:8). Nevertheless, he advised Timothy, when unwell, to “use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). Why did Paul heal the sick unbeliever with his prayers while advising his faithful protégé to seek medical remedies? This is because outward miracles are sometimes necessary to direct the minds of men toward deeper truths; the visible wonders serve as a testament to the invisible realities that hold far greater significance. For Publius, the healing signified a divine power meant to lead him to spiritual renewal through physical recovery. In contrast, Timothy, full of inner vitality, required no such external display. Therefore, it is not surprising that miracles are less frequent when faith is firmly established, considering even the Apostles did not perform miracles for those who were already believers.
The heavens remain within the Lord's purview, who also attends to lesser matters; even when prominent preachers are gone, He continuously regards our infirm humble state. His light extends over the entirety of the earth beneath His heavens; following the extraordinary deeds of those before us, He also tends to the paths and actions of the wayward, illuminating them with His grace. While outward miracles may not be as commonly witnessed in the lives of believers today, He does not abandon them by the power of His works.
Furthermore, the phrase “His light covers the ends of the earth” can also signify that as the proclamation of divine grace draws nations to faith, He has embraced all the boundaries of the world. Even amid the journey of the sinful human, many stray from God and invest their lives in fleeting desires. Yet, when Divine Grace looks upon them, at their earthly end, they often turn back to God, recognizing eternal judgment, repenting for their past deeds with tears, and demonstrating through righteous living that they have sincerely sought to amend their ways. When righteousness prevails, their previous transgressions are assuredly forgiven. As Hannah, speaking in prophetic spirit, notes, “The Lord will judge the ends of the earth” (1 Samuel 2:10), for God does not hold the past lives of sinners against them when, by His love, He brings light to their final days. Moses also states that “the firstborn of donkeys shall be redeemed with the lamb” (Exodus 13:13). Here, the donkey symbolizes impurity, while the sheep symbolizes purity. The exchange of the firstborn of donkeys for sheep illustrates the transformation from an unclean existence to one characterized by innocence, enabling repentant sinners to offer themselves as holy sacrifices to God.
When transformed from darkness, any sinner emerging from sin now finds it apt to acknowledge, “His light covers the ends of the earth.” However, the grace that fills one’s heart post-repentance often brings sorrow, as it unveils past wrongs and reveals the necessity of just judgment. This prompts a deep and daily mourning for every sin recalled, fostering discernment of righteousness and an earnest resolve to confront evil with fervent lament. Thus, they are rightly encouraged by these truths.