THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The desire for wealth seeks possession, yet it is healed through acts of charity when one turns to repentance. The inclination towards immorality pursues sin, but this too is mended by the call of repentance which purifies the soul, allowing it to radiate with the virtues of chastity. Wrongful theft can also be redeemed if an individual forsakes cruel actions and pleads to Christ, stating, “Do not deny me, Christ, of Your kingdom,” and thus their soul can enter the joy of paradise. The blindness of idolatry finds its healing when an individual, through faith, embraces the Christ that is proclaimed, rejects their misguided beliefs, and is enveloped in the grace of holiness through baptism, which reflects the threefold nature of God represented by the Holy Trinity.
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The pollutants of animosity are cleansed when individuals with goodwill receive the Gospel declaration: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Who would not rejoice at being called a son of God and the Father? God fashioned humanity and uplifts the world through the kindness of individuals, allowing everything to follow His divine will. Out of His generous benevolence, He called all that is visible into existence from nothingness, assigning humanity stewardship over His creations, so that by remaining faithful, one may be rewarded with five talents and authority over ten cities, as noted in the Gospel. Conversely, those who prove to be slothful, taking one talent and burying it instead of presenting a doubled return to their master, acting both sensually and intelligently, will lament, “I was afraid of you, because you are a cruel man” (Luke 19:21). Because of ungrateful and disgraceful words like these, what little they have will be taken from them, leading to their casting into the outer darkness. This life is akin to a circle, bringing both suffering and joy to mankind. Those who endure both with gratitude shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Just as a vigorous stream produces bubbles, some of which burst almost immediately while others linger longer before bursting, so too does the ocean of existence overwhelm some shortly after their inception while allowing others to endure longer. Hence, let us reiterate: every kind of sin finds swift forgiveness when repentance occurs. An incurable affliction is one of boastful exaltation, giving rise to hatred of humanity, a fall derived from pride, a height that collapses upon itself, a fleeting vision, a specter, a reed shaken by the wind, smoke that ascends and disappears. Do you, in your arrogance, believe yourself to have more than a destitute individual? Absolutely not. Do you not observe another sky when scorched by a sunbeam? When the air turns cold, do you not seek warmth from the sun while the other shivers? Does he not inhale the same air? Does he not tread upon the same earth as you? Is he not cloaked in the same flesh? Should you not express greater gratitude to God, who has bestowed upon you as much as the needy can sustain? I urge you, brother, to embrace humility. The moderately wealthy person cultivates kindness, but the poor embody humility. You will demonstrate true greatness if, of your own volition, you come down to meet the needs of those who have little. If this does not persuade you, heed the Scripture: “If He mocks the blasphemers, He gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34). If you dismiss this as well, God will turn His back on you. Subsequently, a foolish desire for elevation may lift you high only to bring a greater fall. And what is wealth? An ever-shifting substance. When death arrives, it will leave you, yet the ruin stemming from it will remain. Beware of raising yourself too high, for you are but dust and ashes—do not succumb to the folly of the Pharisee.