Those who, while they grasp spiritual matters to some extent, lower themselves to instruct little ones, providing them the foundational truths they can absorb, allowing them to be nourished like infants before they are ready for the solid food of spiritual maturity.
When an individual begins to strategize for spiritual elevation, or more plainly, when a believer starts to contemplate personal transformation, they will inevitably encounter criticism and opposition. Anyone who has not yet faced such hardships has not truly progressed; and those who cannot endure such trial have not even begun their journey toward improvement. If one desires clarity, let them also experience the critiques that surround us. Let that individual commence their personal reform, desire to rise above earthly and temporal pleasures, to regard worldly success as trivial, to focus solely on God, not to take joy in possessions, nor to grieve losses, even aspiring to sell all they own and share with those in need, and follow Christ. Let them witness how they endure the slanderous tongues and relentless adversaries, along with the even greater peril of false advisors who misguide them away from salvation. Those who seek elevation begin with fervent prayers to God to shield them from such tongues; as it is written, “When I was in distress, I called upon the Lord; and He answered me.” Psalm 118:1. Why did He respond? So that He might uplift them toward the heights.
“Deliver my soul, O Lord, from deceitful lips and from a treacherous tongue.” Psalm 119:2. What constitutes a deceitful tongue? A deceptive tongue acts like counsel while being a curse of true malevolence. Such voices may propose, “Will you undertake what no one else attempts?” or “Will you be the solitary follower of Christ?” Some are disheartened by excuses, while others are led astray by commendations. This lifestyle has permeated our world for a considerable time, and the might of Christ is so profound that even those beyond faith seldom dare to disparage Him. Though they cannot criticize Christ, they read His words. They cannot deny the gospel; Christ remains above reproach. Yet, a deceitful tongue may attempt to commend in order to block genuine praise. If you wish to commend, do so to encourage; why then discourage with your flattery?
You turn to a different type of excuse, using false praise as a means to draw me away from authentic adoration. They might say, “What does this mean?” They have done this: you may rise, yet they strive to pull you down. It’s a warning akin to a serpent; it bears venom. Pray against it if you seek to ascend.
And the Lord asks you, “What will be given to you, or what shall be offered against the deceitful tongue?” Psalm 119:3. What can be given, meaning, what armaments can you take against a deceitful tongue, to safeguard yourself against it? Or what can they offer you? He encourages you to reflect, for He will answer His own inquiry. He provides an answer to this very question with the sharp arrows of the Mighty One and coals that ruin or devastate. Psalm 119:4. To ruin or to devastate (as the wording varies) is fundamentally similar; the act of ruining sometimes predictably leads to desolation. What are these coals? First, dear brethren, consider what the arrows are. The sharp arrows of the Almighty represent the Word of God.
What are the coals that bring devastation? It is not sufficient merely to pray with words against deceitful tongues and unjust lips; we must also become examples worthy of imitation... Thus ‘coals’ represents the testimonies of countless sinners who have turned back to the Lord. You may hear people expressing amazement and stating, “I once knew that man, completely consumed by vices, indulging in entertainment, a deceiver: look how he serves God now, how virtuous he is!” Do not be taken aback; he is a burning coal. You rejoice that one whom you once mourned as lost is now alive. When you applaud the living, if you understand how to truly praise, direct it also toward the lost, that they may be ignited. For any who remain slow to turn back to God, consider them an extinguished coal, and embrace the arrow of the divine Word, to combat the evil tongue and deceptive mouth.
“Alas, my pilgrimage has become long.” Psalm 119:5. It has drifted far from You: my wanderings are distant. I have not yet reached that realm where I shall dwell among the righteous; I have not yet entered the company of angels, where no offense shall touch me. But why am I not there yet? Because pilgrimage implies a journey. An alien is one who resides in a foreign land and not in their own. And when is it distant? Sometimes, dear brethren, a person may venture abroad, finding themselves among better people than those they left behind; yet, it is not so when we stray far from the heavenly Jerusalem. A person may find that a change of scenery benefits them, discovering loyal friends not found in their homeland, driven away by adversaries. But the homeland of Jerusalem is filled with righteousness; he who strays from it is among the wicked; and he can only escape from them by returning to the assembly of angels, to be where he once was. In that dwelling, all are virtuous and holy, experiencing the Word of God without the need for reading or letters; for what is conveyed to us through scripture, they perceive through the Face of God. What a wonderful land! A truly great land, and sorrowful are those who wander from it.
And when he declares, “My pilgrimage is far off,” these words reflect the Church herself, toiling on this earth. It is her voice that cries out from the ends of the earth in another Psalm, saying, “From the ends of the earth I have called to You...” Where does she groan and with whom does she dwell? “I dwelt among the tents of Kedar.” If you are unfamiliar with this Hebrew term, allow me to explain. What does it mean to dwell among the tents of Kedar? Kedar, as we recall the meaning of Hebrew words, signifies darkness. Kedar translates to ‘darkness’ in Latin. You are aware that Abraham had two sons, mentioned by the Apostle as the precursors to the two covenants.... Thus Ishmael symbolizes darkness, while Isaac represents light. Anyone who seeks worldly happiness within the Church of God belongs to Ishmael. These are individuals who challenge and undermine those pursuing spiritual growth, possessing deceitful tongues and unjust mouths. Against such, the Psalmist ascended and prayed, and for his protection, he was provided with fiery coals, ruinous and the swift, sharp arrows of the Mighty One. For he still dwells among them until the whole earth is a field for sowing; thus he stated, “I dwelled among the tents of Kedar.” The tents of Ishmael are designated as the tents of Kedar; this is reiterated in the Book of Genesis: Kedar is noted as belonging to Ishmael. Genesis 25:13 Thus, Isaac coexists with Ishmael, indicating that those who follow Isaac share ground with those who descend from Ishmael. Galatians 4:29 Those ascend toward God, while others try to drag them downward.
“My soul has wandered greatly.” Psalm 119:6. To clarify, he does not speak of physical wandering but rather a wandering of the soul. The body may roam across physical spaces, but the soul wanders within its affections. If you cherish worldly things, you drift away from God; if your love is for God, you are lifted closer to Him. Let us cultivate our love for God and our neighbors, that we may return to lovingkindness. If we fall to earthly desires, we will wither and perish. Yet one came down to this fallen state so that one might arise again. Reflecting on the period of his wandering, he remarked that he wandered within the tents of Kedar. Why? Because my soul has indeed strayed. It wanders where it seeks elevation. He does not wander in the body; he finds no ascent in the body. But where does he achieve ascent? Ascension, he explains, transpires within the heart.
“With those who despise the world, I found peace.” Psalm 119:7. Yet, beloved brethren, regardless of how much you listen, you cannot demonstrate the sincerity of your praise unless you act upon it. No matter how often I repeat it, how variously I explain it, nor with what words I convey it, it will not resonate in a heart where it is not operational. Begin to act, and then you will understand the message. At that point, tears may flow at every phrase, and the Psalm shall be sung as the heart aligns with the sentiments expressed therein... Who are those who despise the world? They are those who break unity. For if they truly rejected the world, they would live in harmony. Yet they separate to remain righteous, to avoid mingling with the ungodly. These words may originate from us or from them: decide whose they are. The Catholic Church asserts, “Unity must not be sacrificed; the Church of God must remain intact.” God will then judge the wicked and the just... We likewise say, love the world, love Christ. For those who love the world love Christ. Therefore, when we state, “Love the world,” we are saying, “Love Christ.” Why? Because the apostle affirms concerning Christ: “He is our peace, who has made both one.” Ephesians 2:14 Therefore, if Christ embodies peace—having united both into one—why then are you two formed from one? In what way can you be peacemakers if, while Christ consolidates two into one, you endeavor to divide one into two? By our claiming this, we strive for peace with those who detest the world; yet, those who despise the world declare war against us futilely whenever we engage with them.
THEOSIS