‘The heaven of heavens belongs to the Lord, but the earth He has given to the children of men’ (Psalm 113:24). Yet at times, God brings His presence down to the earth, establishing it forever within His temple. ‘My eyes will be there, and My heart will be there all the days’ (3 Kings 9:3). Ultimately, a deeper, more personal sanctuary for God's presence is formed by the word of God within the very essence of humanity. ‘(2 Cor. 6:16). Thus, God exists in unapproachable light; God is all around the world; God resides in heaven; God dwells in the temple; God inhabits mankind: how can these diverse representations of knowledge be reconciled within the singular, coherent presence of the One God? It is not difficult to assert that just as God's intrinsic essence, attributes, and actions are unfathomable and boundless, so too are His external revelations and manifestations. Therefore, it is not surprising, but rather quite natural, that the revelations of His singular presence are incomprehensibly diverse, and His manifestations are infinitely varied, eluding understanding through a singular cognitive lens, yet collectively revealing an immense divine knowledge that remains enshrouded in mystery.
To ensure that those who lack understanding do not complain of being clarified through the unexplained, let us endeavor to bring the vastness of divine knowledge closer to the limited grasp of humanity. The Word of God, which is the manifestation of the Divine in the world, specifically the Son of God, whose role is to ‘reveal’ (John 1:18), is likened to the sun shining favorably: ‘The sun of righteousness shall rise upon you,’ declares God through the Prophet, ‘with healing in its wings’ (Mal. 4:2). Furthermore, within the ongoing sacramental prayers, God is exalted as ‘the Sun of the true day.’ Let us use this natural analogy to contemplate the supernatural truth. You say, ‘The sun is in the sky.’ This is evident to all. However, consider further: what constitutes the presence of the sun? The presence of an object is its direct influence upon other objects. Thus, the sun is present wherever its light, warmth, and movement reach. When you, standing on the earth, observe a bright circle in the sky, you cannot claim that the sun is absent; it is equally present on the earth due to its effects. Even when clouds obscure your view of the sun, the daylight it provides signifies its presence, distinguishing day from night. Furthermore, when the sun's rays nurture a sunflower or enhance the fruit’s qualities, is this not also a manifestation of the sun’s power and action? Just as the sun maintains its essential presence in the heavens, in its light-emitting orb, so too does the Divine essence exist in the highest heavens, in unapproachable light, encompassing eternity, where the center is everywhere without confines. As the sun, without relocating from the heavens, is actively present throughout the sunlit world by its radiance, warmth, and movement, so God, residing in unapproachable light in the highest heavens, is nonetheless truly and really omnipresent in the cosmos, both seen and unseen, for He ‘upholds all things by the word of His power’ (Heb. 1:3).
For those on earth, the sun has a distinct presence, providing its illumination through clear skies, rising, traveling, and setting; likewise, for souls cleansed from the darkness of the corporeal realm, there exists a unique presence of God. This presence reveals itself through wondrous manifestations of Divine light that unfolds before their spiritual eyes, appearing and vanishing again. Thus, Isaiah ‘saw the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne’ (Isaiah 6:1); Ezekiel witnessed, above the living creatures and fiery wheels, ‘the likeness of a throne, and the likeness of the form of a man’ (Ezek. 1:26); James saw the Lord at the pinnacle of the ladder leading to heaven, along with many Saints in their own experiences. Yet, just as those obscured from the sun's image by mist or cloud can still sense its presence through daylight, so too may souls whose perception of the extraordinary light of Divine revelations is obscured by either the darker nature of the flesh or the inscrutable judgments of God still possess a clear awareness of the Divine presence. This awareness manifests through the continuous observation of God's handiwork in the origin, growth, sustenance, governance, and renewal of creation, especially in the remarkable providence exhibited towards humanity, which astute observers may find astounding.
Furthermore, just as the sun has an intrinsic presence within earthly fruits, nourishing and maturing them: similarly, those who have experienced or are encouraged to experience know that there is an inner presence of God in humanity, visiting the heart with His grace according to one's free will, faith, love, prayer, and devotion. This divine presence gently transforms, nourishes, pleases, and through the action of spiritual light and warmth—truth and love—gradually leads toward spiritual maturity or perfection. Many more applications of this analogy could be explored, but it is beneficial to refrain from extending this discussion too far. Not all truths can and should be articulated; many should remain matters of faith, for they are known only through belief. According to the Creator's own word, the visible creations only express His ‘backside’ (Ex. 33:23); His face is beyond comprehension. The light of created things is merely a shadow of the Uncreated Light, and a shadow cannot be as luminous as light itself. Created beings too have their enigmas, which natural science may discover in experience but cannot decipher. Should we not be content with the mysteries bestowed upon us by the incomprehensible God that elude the curious intellect? Is this not what we should anticipate from the Incomprehensible One?
When I refer to a ripe bunch of grapes and tell you that it has been blessed by the sun, you must accept my word. By the signs of its ripeness, you may see evidence yourself and can verify it through tasting. You understand that without the sun, the grapes cannot ripen; yet it would be fruitless to demand an explanation from me or to attempt to comprehend how the sun enters the fruit and transforms the components of earth, water, and air into the nourishing essence of the grape. Let us not test the mysteries of the Divine; let us not question the workings of the grace of the Father of lights. When the Gospel and the Church usher you into the consecrated temple, the House of God, bringing you near its throne of grace, pointing you toward the waters of baptism or the anointing, asserting their sanctity through the overshadowing of the Spirit of God, inviting you to the sacred bread and wine, declaring: This is the true Body of the Lord, this is His true Blood, believe without skepticism. Partake of what you believe with love and devotion, and you shall discover the invisible within the visible, the spiritual within the tangible, in signs and symbols—truth and power, in the natural the supernatural. Approach the Divine to experience ‘communion’ as the Apostle shares, ‘of the Divine nature’ (2 Pet. 1:4); ‘taste and see’, but not with bodily eyes, ‘how good the Lord is’ (Ps. 33:9), join in ‘the blessedness of those who have not seen yet have believed’ (John 20:29).
Through these diverse yet harmonious expressions, we, brethren, seek to comprehend the presence of God not merely in words and thoughts, but in reality and experience. One who truly acknowledges God’s presence in creation perceives the omnipotent, benevolent, and just hand of God in all that unfolds in the world; hence, such a person approaches every circumstance, particularly significant events, with reverent attention, receiving blessings as gifts from God with gratitude, and interpreting trials as God’s judgments with acceptance, patience, and trust. In contrast, if we remain inattentive to God’s works, ungrateful for His blessings, and disobedient to His judgments, we fail to recognize His presence, as if ‘there is no God before our eyes.’ Those who truly recognize God’s presence within themselves and internalize the power of the uncreated Sun will continually bear ‘the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Gal. 5:22). Conversely, if we cling to and engage in the sinful works of the flesh, the dark deeds of the adversary, driven by pride, greed, cruelty, and hatred, we have yet to grasp the gracious presence of God; we have yet to experience the power of the age to come, and remain unaware of the Lord's words: ‘The kingdom of God is within you’ (Luke 17:21).
Those who learn and feel the invisible presence of God within the visible temple, amidst its sacred symbols and sacraments, who, like the Psalmist, ‘rejoice with those who said to him,’ ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’ (Psalm 121:1), they who feel, as another church hymn expresses, ‘standing in the temple of the glory of God, as if standing in heaven.’ Yet if we exhibit reluctance towards attending the temple or even distance ourselves from it, we must acknowledge one of two realities: either we do not comprehend ‘how the Lord is in this place,’ or we are unfaithful servants fleeing from our Master’s house. If we maintain a superficial presence in the temple, without reverence or attention, it is clear we fail to grasp ‘how fearful this place is.’ If it strikes fear into the reverent heart, as it did Jacob, how much greater must that fear be for those who disregard it! If our thoughts within the temple dwell on earthly matters rather than Divine ones, engaging with one another as though within a mere human space, does this not demonstrate our forgetfulness of the dignity of the ‘House of God’ and our disrespect towards the One who resides within it? ‘Seek the Lord, and you shall live; seek His face, and be compelled’ (Psalm 104:4), that He may fill you with joy in His presence (Psalm 20:7).
Pursue the presence of God in the world by keenly observing His works; in your heart through faith, prayer, purity, and humility; in the temple through reverence for the holy sacraments and deep engagement with the Word of God. ‘O Lord of Hosts, be with us!’ ‘Awaken, O Lord, in this place.’ May we who are unaware come to know Your holy and sanctifying presence. Amen.
THEOSIS