THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, my soul, and let every part of my being glorify His holy name (Psalm 101:1). I believe the psalmist does not refer literally to the physical body; he is not suggesting that our lungs or any organs should vocalize praises. While we do possess lungs that facilitate our breathing and allow us to speak, the essence of the message pertains to the inner self. God has ears, and the heart possesses a voice. A person reflects inwardly, inviting their inner being, “All that is within me, bless His holy name!” When contemplating what lies within, it is your very soul that is invoked. The call to “bless” resonates with the initial exhortation, “Bless the Lord, my soul,” as the command to bless is implicitly understood. Speak out loud, if someone may hear, and remain silent when no ears are listening; yet do not forget the silent blessings dwelling within you. Thus, our lips have already articulated this blessing when we echoed those sacred words. We sang for as long as we could, and when silence came, should our hearts remain mute before the Lord's blessing? Let our voices uplift Him now, while the melody of our hearts endures eternally. When you come together in worship, let praises emerge from your lips; having sung and returned home, let your soul continue to glorify God. As you attend to daily tasks, let your soul offer praise. When you dine, remember the Apostle’s instruction: “Whether therefore you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Even in sleep, let your soul give thanks to the Lord. Do not let wrongful thoughts disturb you or corrupt intents arise; maintain your innocence, even in slumber, as it echoes the voice of your soul.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 102:2). Yet, the bounties of the Lord cannot come to mind unless our sins confront us first. Do not let the joy of past wrongs linger; instead, keep in sight the condemnation of sin—your own disapproval and God’s forgiveness. Thus, God repays you, leading you to ask, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits towards me?” This thought was held by the martyrs, those we commemorate today, and all saints who disregarded earthly life, as conveyed in the epistle of St. John, who laid down their lives for their brothers, manifesting the fullness of love (1 John 3:16). Our Lord proclaimed, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). These holy martyrs, reckoning this truth, forsook their lives here to gain eternal life, adhering to our Lord’s teaching: “He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall save it.” Yet, “Forget not all His benefits,” for the term “benefits” means more than mere rewards; it denotes unearned gifts graciously given. Ask yourself, “What have I repaid the Lord for all His benefits?” Reflect on how mankind often repays good with evil, suggesting that the sinful repay God’s goodness with transgressions. Once a blasphemer, a persecutor, a reviler (1 Timothy 1:13), rewarded for wrongs—what merit can you claim? Because your existence is His gift, what can you offer Him? God desires no recompense drawn from your own merit, for all you have is bestowed by Him; your sinful actions belong solely to you. Therefore, if you intend to repay Him, return His image to Him, which is all He asks; as a steward of His gifts, present that which reflects Him (Matthew 22:21).
Consider, O soul, the great benefits of God in light of your wrongdoings; for as numerous as your transgressions are, so also are His mercies manifold. What gift, what offering, what sacrifice could you possibly render to Him? Ponder and you will find none fitting, save the cup of salvation. Did not the Lord Himself provide this cup? Can you repay Him from your own resources? I urge you not to attempt that, for such attempts only perpetuate sin. you possess nothing that has not been given to you by Him; your sins are your own. God does not seek returns from what belongs to you; He fulfills His will through His sovereignty. Just as presenting an ear of corn to a farmer is merely returning what came from his own field, if you bring Him thorns, you’ve offered only what is wretched. Truly praise the Lord in truth; if you seek to reward Him from your own, you engage in deception. “He that speaketh a lie, speaketh of his own” (John 8:44). Conversely, to speak truthfully is to affirm what belongs to the Lord. Accepting the cup of salvation is akin to emulating the Passion of the Lord. I will partake of Christ’s cup; I will embrace the Passion of our Savior. Be mindful not to falter; I will invoke the name of the Lord. Those who once stumbled did not call upon Him for aid; they relied upon their own strength. Return to Him, recognizing that all you have is a gift.
“Who redeems your life from destruction” (Psalm 101:4). Observe how a corrupt body burdens the soul (Wisdom 9:15). The soul struggles to find life within a decaying vessel, suffering the weight of its frailties. What barriers stand in our way when trying to contemplate God? Is it appropriate for mankind to focus on the Divine while distracted by the trials of existence? How many temptations, how many distractions, how many illusions disrupt our thoughts when we seek the eternal? All such distractions soil the heart, rife with the decay of mortality. Having recognized the depth of this struggle, let us also extol the Healer. Would not the Creator, who designed you for health, wish to restore you if you adhere to the divine precepts? Consider your own well-being first. Often a person may grapple with an affliction in their home, on their bed, a condition so obvious, yet we tend to neglect it. In our pursuit of worldly matters, we often hear our friends urging us to focus on our health as a priority. Thus, I present this truth to you all: if you are not ailing, reflect on the health of others; your very infirmity is indicative of deeper sickness. Seek the true Healer, Christ, taking the cup of His salvation, which restores all weakness; should you desire it, this healing is yours.
You have been redeemed from destruction; rest now, for the contract of goodwill is established; none can deceive, none can take advantage, none can oppress you—your Redeemer stands firm. He has exchanged His own life for yours, shedding His precious blood. The only begotten Son of God gave His life for you; rise, O soul, for you are of great worth! “Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalm 101:4). Perhaps you feel prideful upon hearing “He crowns you.” Reflect: by whose strength do you stand? It is by His endeavors that you triumph; He adorns you with His gifts, not based on your merits. As the Apostle states, “I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Therefore, His grace will be your crown; take no pride in yourself; continually praise the Lord and remember all His benefits. It is a privilege when a wretched sinner is called to righteousness, it is a blessing when you are upheld and guided to avoid stumbling, it is a reward that you are given strength to endure; your flesh, once afflicted, will be resurrected, and not a hair from your head will be lost. After your resurrection you will be crowned, and you will eternally praise God without end.
After the struggle comes the reward; what will follow the crown? “Who satisfies your mouth with good things” (Psalm 102:5). Seek what is truly good for your soul. Each creation has its own good; for each, goodness varies based on what fulfills their nature. Seek to understand the highest good, for only God embodies this perfection (Matthew 19:17). What is lacking in one who possesses the greatest good? This should prompt reflection. Cattle seek nourishment, comfort, and survival, and there exists a measure of good for them as ordained by the Creator. Do you pursue such fleeting provisions? God provides for that too, but do not settle for less. Cherish community with humanity, and aspire for the highest good. He will be your ultimate blessing, the one through whom you were made whole, and through whom all creation finds purpose, as declared in Genesis: “God saw that all He made was very good.”
When, you wonder, will your desires be fulfilled? Your youth will be restored like that of the eagle. When will your soul feel satisfaction in God’s gifts? When your youth is renewed. The eagle’s renewal teaches us a profound truth; it symbolizes resurrection. The eagle does restore its vigor, though not to eternal life, but this imagery reflects a truth beyond its mortal existence. As age advances, the eagle’s beak grows excessively, hindering its ability to eat. Overcome with strengthlessness and age, it must strike its beak against a stone to break free from the weight of its burden. In doing so, it regains its strength and is rejuvenated, representing a resurrection-like transformation. The eagle, having shed the hindrance, soars once again, much like the moon that waxes and wanes, pointing towards the hope of resurrection. While an eagle may not ascend to immortality, mankind is beckoned toward eternal life; this imagery indicates that the Rock provides liberation. Do not depend on your strength, for the Rock that heals is Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). In Christ, our youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.
“The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed” (Psalm 102:6). Consider the woman caught in adultery, brought forth that she might face condemnation under the Law. When presented to our Lord, He humbly bent down to write on the ground, embodying the distinction between justice and mercy. His posture marked a departure from the stone of condemnation to the fertile earth of redemption, calling attention to our Lord’s grace amidst judgment. When the accusers approached, He challenged them, saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7). This inquiry turned the focus from the woman's sin to the conscience of each accuser, revealing their own guilt. It wasn't the woman’s immorality that prevailed but their flawed judgments, overthrown by the truth of the Rock.
Extend mercy to the sinner, not for their wickedness, but with the intent of salvation. Do not embrace wickedness for the sake of affection; refuse to condone iniquity. Yet, remember: “Give to every one that asketh of thee” (Romans 12:20) even if the one asking is a sinner; but do not give as if to endorse their sin. When compelled to give, ensure your intention reflects love, not approval of their wrong. For instance, is it just to support a fighter in brutal contests, when doing so only reinforces a disgraceful calling? Similarly, do we honor the righteous or any servant of God solely for temporal benefit? When you aid a true disciple of Christ, consider their role in God’s service; while providing aid, let love be your guide. Thereby, recognize that to respect the righteous merely for gain is no true offering. Understand, then, that receiving a righteous man in the right spirit will yield eternal rewards.
Therefore, be unyieldingly merciful, even toward adversaries. Exercise restraint with compassion so that their souls may find salvation. Act with love, even when discipline seems required; bear their imperfections with courage, for the Lord’s mercy will be extended to you if you remain merciful. Justice does not negate compassion; “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Deuteronomy 32:35).