THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved brothers and sisters, as children of the Church and well-versed in the teachings of Christ through the writings of our early forebears, who recorded the divine truths and mighty acts of God, you should already know that their intent was to provide guidance for our benefit as believers in Christ. Our Lord came to us in humility at His first advent and is destined to return in glory. It is written in the Psalms: “Truth shall spring forth from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” Thus, our purpose is to discern Christ when we engage with the Psalms, Prophets, or Law, all of which anticipated the coming of our Savior. So, dear friends, let us listen to this Psalm and seek Christ within it; surely, He will reveal Himself to those who earnestly search for Him, just as He first manifested to those who did not seek Him. He will care for those who yearn for Him and redeem those who may have overlooked Him.
The psalm begins with these words about Him: “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice” (Psalm 98:1). For our Lord Jesus Christ commenced His reign and preached after rising from death and ascending to heaven, filling His disciples with the hope of the Holy Spirit, that they would not fear the death He had already conquered. Thus, our Lord was proclaimed, so that those longing for salvation would place their faith in Him, even as the nations steeped in idolatry became furious. They seethed because it was declared that the Creator, by whom all was made, was being preached to them. He called these idol worshippers, encouraging them to turn from their man-made gods back to their true Creator who first made them. They were indignant at the Lord for the sake of their idols, even though their servant was more worthy, since God fashioned their servant, whereas they formed their idols with their own hands. Their wrath was directed at their Lord without remorse. Indeed, as foretold, “The Lord reigns; let the nations rage.”
There can be good that emerges even from anger: let them rage, for in their fury, there may be martyrs who receive their crowns. Consider what you heard from Jeremiah, read before the Apostolic passage. Perhaps you noted the times in which we now find ourselves. He proclaimed, “The gods that did not create heaven and earth shall perish” (Jeremiah 10:11). He did not say, “The gods that did not create heaven and earth shall vanish from heaven,” for those false gods never were in heaven. Instead, he repeated the word “earth” twice, indicating their demise from both earth and their temples. Reflect on whether or not this is happening now; while much has come to pass, how much more remains to unfold? The idols predominantly reside in the hearts of the Gentiles rather than in their temples.
He who reigns above the cherubim is indeed the King; let Him stir the earth. The cherubim represent the throne of God, as the Scriptures reveal, an exalted throne of heaven which remains unseen to us, yet known to the Word of God. This Word and the Spirit of God have disclosed to God’s servants where He sits. Not that God dwells as a man, but if you wish to have Him seated within you, strive to be good, for then you will be the throne of God. As it is written, “The soul of the righteous is the vessel of wisdom” (Proverbs 12:23). In our language, a throne is merely a seat. Some scholars translate cherubim from Hebrew as the term “fullness of knowledge.” Thus, since God surpasses all understanding, He sits above all wisdom. Endeavor to hold that fullness of knowledge within you, and you shall become the throne of God.
He knows all, for even the hairs on our heads are numbered before Him (Matthew 10:30). However, there is a distinction between the fullness of knowledge that He desires us to have and what we are naturally aware of. You may wonder, who can truly comprehend the fullness of the Law and become the throne of God? Do not worry; it is simply stated that to possess the fullness of knowledge and to be the throne of God is defined succinctly by the Apostle: “Love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Romans 13:10). What follows if you have lost your justification? Search your heart; if it resonates with love, then you fulfill the Law; God already dwells within you, and you have become His throne. Let others rage; what power can they wield against one who has become the throne of God? Pay attention not to those who are angry with you, but to He who resides within you. You have become heaven itself; why then do you fear the earth? Scripture declares, “Heaven is My throne” (Isaiah 66:1). Therefore, if you embody fullness of knowledge and love, you are a throne of God. The visible heaven, which we behold with our eyes, is of little worth; it is the holy souls, the minds of angels, and all the spirits of His servants that constitute the true heaven.
Great is the Lord in Zion, high and exalted above all nations” (Psalm 98:2). I speak to you of the cherubim, who are indeed great in Zion. What is Zion, you may ask? Zion is known as the city of God. The city of Jerusalem is referred to as Zion, for it signifies "watching," which embodies the act of seeing and contemplating. Every soul embodies Zion if it strives to perceive the light that is to be seen. For when it focuses on its own light, it becomes dim, but when it gazes upon Him, it becomes illuminated. Now that it is established that Zion represents the city of God, what does this city symbolize if not the Holy Church? For the body of believers who love one another and cherish the God who dwells within them comprise the city of God. The unity of this city is upheld by a single law; their law is Love, and Love is God, as it is clearly stated, “God is Love” (1 John 4:8). Therefore, he who is filled with love is filled with God, and many filled with love together constitute a city full of God. This city is called Zion; hence, the Church is Zion. In this, God’s greatness is evident.
Do you think, dear brothers, that those who rejoiced yesterday at the sounds of merriment are not angered by our fasting? Yet let us not reciprocate their anger but instead fast for them. For our Lord, who dwells within us, commanded us to pray for our enemies and bless those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). When the Church does this, the persecutors nearly vanish. A drunken man does not condemn himself; rather, he offends the sober. Show me a person who genuinely finds happiness in God, living earnestly and yearning for the eternal peace promised by Him. When such a person witnesses another dancing to the music, they are more pained by that folly than one suffering under a fever. Therefore, recognizing their plight and considering that we too have been saved from similar evils, we ought to sorrow for them. If we mourn for them, we shall pray for them; and to be heard, we shall fast for them. For we do not observe fasts on our feast days. The fasts observed during the approach of Easter differ from those of other times set by Christ; yet in their celebrations, we fast so that, while they rejoice, we may grieve for them. Their joy stirs our sorrow, reminding us of their unfortunate state. However, seeing many have been redeemed where we once were lost, we should not despair for them. If they remain angry, let us continue to pray; and should any part of the earth rise against us, let us weep for them, that God might grant them understanding so that they may hear along with us the joyous messages shared in this place.
“All the people, Lord, over whom You are great in Zion, let them declare Your Name” (Psalm 98:3). Your Name was once small in their wrath but has now become great; may they confess it. In what way is it accurate to say that the Name of Christ was small prior to spreading so widely? The report pertaining to His Name was implied in what it signifies. His Name has grown from small to great. What nation has not come to know the Name of Christ? Therefore, O people, may they now declare Your great Name, who once were incensed by Your humble Name. Why should they confess? Because it is marvelous, and it is holy. He is proclaimed as crucified, humble, and condemned, only to return exalted, alive, and as the powerful Judge. He presently spares the blaspheming multitude because the patience of God leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). For He who extends mercy today will not always do so, and He whom they fear today shall certainly come to judge. He will come, dear brothers; let us live with reverence, striving to be found at His right hand. For He will judge and place some on His right and others on His left (Matthew 25:31-33). He does not act without certainty, so that anyone who should rightfully be on the right is mistakenly placed on the left, nor does He err in assigning good where evil belongs. If He does not err, then we do if we act without fear; but if we have properly feared in this life, there is nothing remaining to fear. For the majesty of the King loves justice.
“You have established equity; You have executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob” (Psalm 98:4). We too must seek justice and embody righteousness. Yet it is He who instills justice and righteousness in us—the One who created us, that He may work them within us. What does it mean to possess justice and righteousness? Judgement arises from recognizing evil versus good, while righteousness follows when we pursue good and reject evil. By discerning these, you gain judgement; by acting upon them, you cultivate righteousness. “Abandon evil and pursue good; seek peace and endeavor after it.” You must first gain the faculty of judgement, then righteousness follows. What is judgement? It requires that you recognize evil and good. What is righteousness? It includes departing from evil and embracing good. Yet this cannot be attained by your own strength; consider what He said: “You have wrought judgement and righteousness in Jacob.”