As unholy love enflames the mind and calls the soul, which is fated to ruin, to yearn for worldly pleasures and to pursue fleeting things, dragging it down into darkness and despair, so sacred love elevates us to divine matters, ignites our passion for eternal truths, inspires the soul towards that which neither fades nor perishes, and rescues it from hell to the heights of heaven. Every form of love possesses its own strength, and the love dwelling within the heart of the lover cannot remain inactive; it must be anchored in this. But what, you may ask, is love? Observe where it leads...
This Psalm is a Song of Ascents, as has often been said, for these ascents signify rises rather than descents. Therefore, there is a deep yearning to ascend. And to what place does that yearning go but to heaven? What is meant by heaven? Does he wish to ascend among the sun, moon, and stars? Not at all! Rather, there exists an eternal Jerusalem in heaven, a place of our fellow-citizens, the angels, while we are merely sojourners on this earth, separated from these companions. We sigh during our pilgrimage and will rejoice in the heavenly city. Yet, in this journey, we encounter a fellow sojourner who has already witnessed this heavenly city, calling us to flee to her. Of this, he expresses joy, saying, "I have rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord" (Psalm 121:1)...
"Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem" (Psalm 121:2)... Contemplate that you shall one day arrive there; and although you remain on the journey, envision it before you, as if you are already standing, continually rejoicing, surrounded by the angels, as if what is written has come to pass: "Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they will continually praise you." Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Which Jerusalem? This earthly Jerusalem, often identified by its name, though it remains but a shadow of the heavenly counterpart. What value is there in merely standing in this earthly Jerusalem, which could not endure and is now in ruins? Does the Holy Spirit declare this as remarkable from the fervent heart of the loving psalmist? Is this the Jerusalem to which the Lord lamented, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets" (Matthew 23:37)? Would the aspiration truly be to stand among those who persecuted the prophets? God forbid he should consider that Jerusalem which he holds dear, which ignites his passion, which he longs to reach—the Jerusalem that is our Mother (Galatians 4:26), of which the Apostle asserts is eternal in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1).
"Jerusalem, built as a city" (Psalm 120:3). Dear brethren, when David uttered these words, that city was finished, yet not yet built. Therefore, he speaks of a city currently under construction, to which the living stones are gathering in faith, as Peter remarked, "And you also, as living stones are being built into a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5), that is, the holy temple of God. What does it mean that you are set as living stones? If you have faith, you are alive, and by believing, you become the temple of God; for the Apostle Paul declares, "The temple of God is holy, which temple are you?" (1 Corinthians 3:17). Consequently, this city is now being constructed; the stones have been hewn from the hills by the hands of those who preach the truth, shaped so they may fit into the eternal edifice. There are many more stones in the Builder's hands: let them not fall from His grasp, that they may be perfectly fitted into the structure of the temple. Thus, it is Jerusalem that is being built as a city, with Christ as its foundation. The Apostle Paul affirms that "no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). When the foundation is laid upon the earth, the walls rise upward, and their weight is drawn to the lowest parts, for the foundation is beneath. But if our foundation is in heaven, we will be built upward toward heaven.
While men have constructed the impressive structure of this basilica, placing its foundation below, we, being spiritually arranged, have our foundation positioned at the summit. Therefore, let us strive toward the place where we may be formed.... But which Jerusalem am I referencing? Is it that one which you see atop the walls? No; but the Jerusalem that is being constructed as a city. Why as a city, and not merely as a city? Except that these visible walls were literally called a city, whereas it is constructed as a city, composed of those who enter it as living stones; for they are not literally stones, are they? Likewise, while the city is referred to as a city, it is not truly a city; for it is said to be built. In using the term 'building,' he referred to the structure and interconnection of bodies and walls. A city is properly understood as the people residing there. Thus, to state it is building suggests he meant a city, acknowledging that the spiritual formation mirrors the bodily architecture; it is constructed as a city.
However, let the subsequent words dispel any misconceptions that we ought not to interpret words of shared essence in a carnal manner. What is meant by 'the same'? What remains unchanged; not that which transforms from one state to another. So, what is the essence of being? That which is eternal... Behold the Same: "I AM who I AM" (Exodus 3:14). You cannot grasp Him; there is much to comprehend, much yet to be understood. Remember what the incomprehensible One has become for you. Recall the flesh of Christ, to which you were raised when you were wounded and left half-dead by robbers, that you might be brought to an inn and healed. Let us therefore hasten to the house of the Lord, and arrive at the city where our feet may stand. This is the city being constructed as a city whose essence is eternal...
This city, which participates in being, also partakes in stability; therefore, justly, as it becomes a participant in that stability, he who runs there declares. For all things endure where nothing fleeting exists. Do you wish to stand there and not pass by? Then run there. No one possesses the essence from himself...
For there, "the knees are lifted up" (Psalm 120:4). We asked about the one who has stumbled and is now ascending; for we noted that it is the voice of a rising person, of a rising Church. Can we ascertain its ascent? Where is it headed? To where it is lifted? "There," he states, "the tribes ascend." Where? To partake of the same essence. But what are the tribes? Many understand, many do not. For if we use the term 'judiciary' in its proper context, we comprehend nothing other than the judiciaries existing in every city, from which the terms 'citizens' and 'decurions' arise—residents of the curia or decuria; and you know every city has such bodies.
In these cities, there could be popular judiciaries, and one city may contain many, as in Rome which has thirty-five popular bodies. These are what are referred to as tribes, corresponding to the twelve sons of Jacob, from whom the people of Israel descended. The twelve tribes of the children of Israel had both righteous and wicked among them. How wicked were those tribes that crucified our Lord! How righteous were those who acknowledged Him! The tribes that crucified the Lord were indeed the tribes of the wicked. Thus he specifies, "For there the tribes ascend," perceiving, "the tribes of the Lord." What constitutes the tribes of the Lord? A testimony to Israel. Dear brethren, listen to the significance of this. A testimony to Israel signifies the indicator of the true Israel...
"He is an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit" (John 1:47). Consequently, if he is a true Israelite, devoid of guile, then the tribes embodying truth are ascending to Jerusalem. For what purpose do they ascend? "To confess Your name, O Lord." This could not be articulated more nobly. While pride presumes, humility confesses. He embodies presumption who seeks to appear as he is not, while the confessor is one who is content with their true nature and loves it. This is the path of the Israelites devoid of guile, for they are true Israelites, containing the essence of the testimony.
"For there were judgment seats" (Psalm 121:5). This presents a marvelous riddle, a mysterious question if not grasped fully. It denotes those seats that the Greeks refer to as thrones. Thrones signify honor. Therefore, dear brethren, it is not astonishing if we too must sit upon seats or chairs; but what are those seats themselves sitting upon when can we grasp it? It is as if one were to say: let there be stools or seats. We occupy them, but the seats themselves do not sit. What, then, is indicated by "For there were thrones for judgment"? Thus, if heaven is the throne of God, and the Apostles are heaven; they became the very throne of God. Another passage reveals: "The soul of the righteous is the throne of wisdom." A great truth is proclaimed; indeed, the throne of wisdom is the soul of the righteous; it is as if wisdom dwells within the soul of the righteous and from there dispenses judgment upon all matters. The thrones of wisdom came into being, and so the Lord stated to them, "You shall sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). So they will sit on twelve thrones, and they themselves shall embody the thrones of God; for of them it is said, "For there were seated seats." Who was seated? The seats. And whose seats? Those of whom it is declared, "The soul of the righteous is the dwelling place of wisdom." Who occupies the seats? Heaven. What is heaven? That which the Lord states, "Heaven is My throne" (Isaiah 66:1). Therefore, the righteous themselves are thrones, and they shall have seats; and these thrones will be established in that Jerusalem. For what reason? "You shall sit," He declares, "on twelve thrones, (to judge) the twelve tribes of Israel." Who will judge whom? Those elevated to heaven will address those down below, and the judges will be separated into two groups: one on the right, and another on the left...
He quickly adds regarding the seats: "Ask for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 121:6). O thrones now seated for judgment, and which have become the thrones of the Lord of Judges (as those who judge inquire, and those who are judged also inquire). Inquire, says he, concerning what is appointed for the peace of Jerusalem. What will they discover in their inquiry? Some have performed acts of mercy, while others have not. Those recognized for their acts of mercy, they will call to Jerusalem, for these deeds are for the peace of Jerusalem. Love is a mighty force, dear brethren; love is truly powerful. Do you desire to witness the strength of love? If charity finds itself bereft of means and cannot discover anything to provide for the poor, let it still love: let it offer just one cup of cold water (Matthew 10:42). This gift will carry the same weight as that given by Zacchaeus, who donated half his wealth to the destitute (Luke 19:8). What is the purpose of this?
The one offered little, while the other much; can such disparities truly be attributed to the former? Just as much. Although their contributions are unequal, their love is not unequal.
THEOSIS