THEOSISGregory the Great
Well spoken, then, who elevates to the heights of the humbled Job. And with accuracy, it is said that He uplifts those who grieve in safety. In this world, many whose hearts are filled with joy are ‘exalted’ solely by their fortunate circumstances. However, the Lord honors those who weep, raising them to glory based on the foundation of genuine joy; their elevation stems from safety, not from folly, as they are firmly established in good deeds and rejoice with the assurance of hope in God. Indeed, some individuals continue to engage in wicked actions while still finding reasons to rejoice. Of such, Solomon notes, they rejoice in doing evil, taking pleasure in deceitful pursuits. Moreover, there are those wicked individuals who act as if they possess the deeds of the virtuous.
Read more (366 words)
These individuals are elevated, not by safety, but by folly, as they are filled with pride while they should be a source of sorrow. It is for this reason that these unfortunate souls are held in lament by the righteous. Truly, in their delusion, they believe that the madness by which they excel others is a form of strength. They fail to recognize that their aberrant behavior indicates their affliction, as they believe their strength is growing, while in reality, they approach the end of life due to their maladies. Lacking an awareness of what should truly evoke tears, they laugh and expand their hearts in a misguided elation, oblivious to the calamity surrounding them. In contrast, those who mourn find their upliftment in safety from the Lord, for the minds of the elect are filled with joy that does not arise from the foolishness of this life but from a hopeful anticipation of eternal salvation.
Therefore, it is appropriately stated regarding the imminent destruction of the wicked that the humbled are elevated by the promise that, having been rejected for their love of God, they will return as judges alongside Him. This promise comes from the Truth, who declares, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the future, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. In that time, the Lord shall uplift those who mourn, for they ardently desire Him, shunning prosperity, enduring hardships, withstanding the sufferings brought on by persecutors, and cleansing themselves through tears. The more they are humbled, yet draw closer to salvation, the more they forsake worldly pleasures. Indeed, it is proclaimed through Solomon: The heart knows the grief of his soul, and in his joy no other will interfere. The human spirit comprehends the sorrow of its soul when illuminated by the longing for its eternal homeland, and in mourning, it acknowledges the guilt of its wandering. However, the joy it holds will not be disrupted by others, because those who are strangers to the lamenter’s sorrow will not partake in the joy of comfort.