THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
He urges them to repent with a deep sense of sorrow that reflects true anguish, rather than in a flippant or negligent manner. This call to repentance is fervent, akin to the most profound expressions of grief, requiring them to undertake efforts proportional to their sins. It is not uncommon for a newlywed bride to mourn deeply for her deceased bridegroom, plunging into a sorrow so profound that her heart is inconsolable, and no expression of grief feels adequate. This is particularly true for women, who tend to be more emotional, especially when witnessing the lifeless body of their beloved, pure, and youthful spouse. In this way, the Lord suggests that the Jewish people should be similarly moved.
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They should cease their harsh judgments and let their tears serve as a means of staving off the divine judgments they face, resting in the assurance that "the Lord of all is good and gentle" (Psalms 85:5), merciful, and, as is customary, "repent of wrongs" (Joel 2:13). However, the synagogue of Judah did not mourn for the heavenly Bridegroom, who is Christ; rather, they caused His death and inflicted harm upon Him. Consequently, they are excluded from the sacred wedding feast, standing apart from the divine celebration, entirely distanced from the hope granted to the saints. In their place is welcomed the innocent, pure, and wise "bride of Lebanon" (Song 4:8), the lovely dove (Song 2:14), signifying the Church of the Gentiles, which acknowledges the very suffering of Christ and mourns alongside Him, sharing in His trials and nurturing love for Him. And by her virgin bridegroom—despite the synagogue's delusion leading to accusations of adultery and unfaithfulness with Satan—we refer to Immanuel, representing our high rebirth through the Spirit, which allows us to reject worldly origins, for it is written of Christ, "unto his own came, and his own received him not" (John 1:11).