Furthermore, this image of cloth cannot fully encapsulate the swift passage of our lives; indeed, the rapid progression of our existence surpasses that of weaving. Thus, it is appropriately said: my days pass away more swiftly than the weaver’s thread. Unlike the delayed work of a weaver, our lives approach their end without pause. When a weaver rests, the cloth remains unfinished; yet, in our own journey, we continue to advance towards our ultimate conclusion, moving even in sleep. Therefore, those chosen by God, recognizing the fleeting nature of present moments, do not anchor their aspirations to the ephemeral pursuits of this world. Consequently, he rightly adds: and pass on without any hope (Job 7:6).
The minds of those lost in sin are so enmeshed in the affection for their earthly days that they wish to exist here eternally, expressing a desire to evade the natural end of their lives. Their indifference towards the future leads them to place all their hopes in transient things, striving solely for that which is temporary. In their excessive preoccupation with the fleeting, they neglect the permanence that lies ahead, blinded to the inner radiance of truth. Often, calamity looms near, and death nears with a silent approach, yet they remain fixated on worldly matters. As the avenger draws near, they remain consumed by temporal concerns, lamenting their worldly existence as if it will never cease. In their desperation to retain all they own, they act as though their hope for this life is unbroken, even as they near its conclusion. They may have glimpsed the finality of death, yet they cling fiercely to their possessions. The soul, hardened by mortality, believes death is distant, unaware of its imminent approach. Once separated from the flesh, the soul, still enamored with earthly things, grapples with the reality of eternal judgment, often caught off guard by the sudden transformation awaiting it.
Conversely, the mind of the righteous remains hopeful for eternal peace, even when life unfolds favorably. While enjoying robust health, the spirit is never deceived by such comfort. Even in moments when death seems remote, the righteous feels its presence continually. The relentless passage of time keeps them mindful of its inevitability. Therefore, as he reflects on life that passes swiftly, he expresses: and pass away without any hope. This declaration signifies a rejection of placing hope in the transient, as he consciously casts such thoughts aside. Thus, it is rightly observed immediately thereafter.
THEOSIS