THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. Furthermore, he states: 'If you bring a grain offering baked in the oven, it must be unleavened loaves of wheat mixed with oil, and unleavened cakes anointed with oil. Should your offering come from a griddle, it should consist of unleavened wheat flour mixed with oil; break it into pieces and pour oil over it: it is a grain offering. If your offering is a grain offering from a pot, it must be prepared from wheat flour with oil' (Leviticus 2:4-7). Palladius. The depth of the law's meaning is profound! Explain it, so that as we reflect on these intricate matters, we may stay true to our objective. Cyril. This wisdom and carefulness of the law are indeed worthy of thought, as it accommodates every condition, embraces even the smallest gift, and imbues it with beauty and joy.
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You know that Christ Himself affirms: 'And whosoever shall give one of these little ones a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward' (Matthew 10:42). A similar understanding can be gleaned here, as we exalt the favor of the Lawgiver with fitting praises. The gift is accepted, as I mentioned, even if one intends to fulfill what is commanded by minimal offerings. Whether it is leavened bread or unleavened, whether it comes from 'the oven, the pan, or the hearth,' or if it is not from wheat but from freshly ground grains, namely flour from hulled fruit, it suffices that it is presented with oil and incense. In these verses, the Scripture appears to direct us toward the honoring of saints through trials, labor, and even brokenness; for the furnace and the fiery trial, along with the grinding of grain, are unmistakable symbols of the trials and labor endured by those refined as by fire. Therefore they declared, as they traversed this noble path, 'Thou hast tried us, O God; thou hast refined us as silver is refined' (Psalm 65:10). The divine David also proclaims: 'A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise' (Psalm 50:19). It is undoubtedly true that those who have persevered in such labor become the fragrance of Christ, and likewise, they will receive forgiveness and be abundantly refreshed by the grace of the Spirit; this becomes evident when one reflects on the use of incense and oil: for does not the law serve as a profound indication of hidden and shadowy truths? Palladius. Indeed, that is the case.