THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. Moreover, to more accurately differentiate these afflictions, the Law states: And if there is a suspicion or assumption that leprosy has manifested in a blistered wound or in a previously burned area of the body, the priest must apply diligent care and scrutiny once more. If the white appearance does not develop into leprosy, it is declared clean. However, if the white seems to transform into leprosy, then he is considered unclean and defiled (Leviticus 13:18-28). The Law further instructs us that spiritual ailments, which are countless, can be alleviated through a righteous life. Should these ailments, once seemingly healed, reemerge due to our negligence, Christ, our supreme High Priest, will assess them and render a just judgment.
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If the malady resides only in thoughts, the afflicted individual is still found wanting: he is described as excommunicated (Leviticus 13:26), yet he is not completely cast away nor entirely dead. In contrast, if the affliction permeates thoughts and desires, resulting in a profound moral decline, then the consequences for impurity must be applied. Thus, we must be particularly vigilant not to allow dormant passions to awaken, preventing the re-opening of spiritual wounds and a return to former sins. Otherwise, we will hear the righteous declaring, ‘But it has happened to them according to the true saying: the dog returns to its vomit, and the washed pig goes back to wallowing in the mud’ (2 Peter 2:22). Palladium. I believe you express this rightly and quite fittingly.