On Monday of the Twelfth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the first book of Samuel (17:1-10, 32, 38-51), entitled "David commits himself to battle with Goliath". Our treasure, which follows, is from a treatise on Christian Perfection by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa was a fourth century archbishop of Constantinople and a theologian. He is numbered among the Doctors of the Church. He was a contemporary and close friend of Saint Basil the Great. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. He was a classically trained orator and philosopher.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa's treatise, On Perfection, explores the concept of Christian perfection as a continuous journey of striving towards God, rather than a static state achievable in this life. Saint Gregory doesn't view perfection as a final destination in this life, but rather as a continuous, ever-growing process of becoming more like Christ. The core of Christian perfection, according to Gregory, lies in imitating Christ's virtues and aligning oneself with his example. He highlights the significance of embodying the various names and titles attributed to Christ, such as "sanctification," "the temple of God," and "the power and wisdom of God".
Perfection is not limited to one's inner thoughts, but extends to one's words and actions, creating harmony between the inner and outer life. Saint Gregory describes Christian perfection as a state of friendship with God, achieved through prayer, Bible reading, and striving for holiness, according to The Pocket Scroll. Perfection is a result of both God's grace and human effort, with the individual responding to God's call through determination and striving.
Saint Gregory emphasizes that Christ, though tempted in all things, did not sin, providing a model for Christians to strive for holiness. He connects perfection with the infinite nature of God, suggesting that even in eternal life, there will be endless growth and discovery in our knowledge of God and his creation.
The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel's transition to kingship.
Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord's own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel's God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).
