THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
In the text of Leviticus, it states: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Declare unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man vow to commit his soul unto the Lord according to thy valuation, thy valuation of a man from twenty years old unto sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the holy shekel” (Leviticus 27:1-3). Following a brief mention of women and children, it is also said: “But if he is poor, and is not able to give according to thy valuation, let him present him to the priest, and let the priest value him” (Lev. 27:8). This discourse is profound and rich with significance, warranting a thorough examination at an appropriate time.
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However, for now, we observe that certain Israelites approached with a heartfelt desire to dedicate their souls to God. Though they existed still under the law's forms and shadows, they expressed their intentions to the priests who were appointed and stood at the sacred altar. Conversely, some wished to attain the same honor—seeking to be regarded as sanctified and divine—yet were impeded by their lack of means, which rendered their aspirations unfulfilled. When prompted by the scribes and Pharisees, who displayed an overwhelming desire for wealth and engaged in unseemly pursuits, these individuals put on an act of reverence toward their parents. They argued that they were barely able to secure basic provisions for themselves and their families, let alone fulfill their vows. The religious leaders urged them to dismiss such matters for the sake of God; if parents demanded their customary support, they were instructed to respond: “A gift, which you would have received from me.” This implied that should they receive from them, it would detract from the gift of God, as they had consecrated themselves and pledged to offer themselves as a gift to the Lord. In fearing the repercussions of sacrilege and being troubled by the relevant laws, they endured their circumstances with sorrow, perhaps even blaming the Divine decree for their most essential needs. Thus, it is noted, “Thou shalt destroy the commandment of God for your tradition.” It should be observed that honoring one’s parents is essential, and piety towards God should not compromise the law of respect owed to them. Therefore, we should not set aside what is right in God's sight for the sake of human actions, nor should we overlook human responsibilities for divine purposes. Instead, we ought to dedicate our utmost love to God, who is the source of all things, while also honoring our earthly parents in a manner fitting for them, along with other considerations.