THE DIVINE FRIENDSHIP AND THE BROTHERLY LOVE In the last psalm, the psalmist revealed the friendship with God, choosing to dwell in us; finds rest when we find rest in Him. In the present psalm, the psalmist reveals that this friendship would not be realized unless we bear the spirit of love, and the true friendship with one another. The believer will not taste the sweetness of the divine love, unless his heart becomes wide by love for his brethren. And as much as God desires to dwell in our hearts, it is befitting of us to desire to dwell with the spirit of love with our brethren. The secret of unity is not in mere physical encounter, as much as it is to encounter with them in God, through the purity of heart and the pure life sanctified in Him. 1- The pleasantness of dwelling together 1 2- The unity in Christ 2 3- The unity and the eternal life 3 This psalm is mostly called “a psalm of wisdom”, not that it teaches us wisdom, but it proclaims, by the spirit of praise, what we have reached by the blessing of the Lord, and by His exalted grace on us1. Now, as we come to the psalm before the last of the psalms of Ascents, he talks about the brotherly love that bears the sweet fragrance of Christ, in peace and tranquility, “like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion”. Love is the gate through which we get into heaven itself2. (St. John Chrysostom) 1- THE PLEASANTNESS OF DWELLING TOGETHER: A Song of ascents. Of David “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (1) 1 Cf. The Collegeville Bible Commentary, 1989, Ps. 133. 2 On Ps. 133. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 194 Some believe that this psalm used to be sung by the priests and the Levites when they got together to serve in the house of the Lord. As God is pleased by His encounter with the believer on a personal level, in a relationship of hidden and secret love, He is pleased, as well, by the encounter of all in the unity of love to praise together. How would be the encounter of all believers, from Adam to the end of time, on the clouds with the Lord Christ, be pleasant even to the heavenly creatures, who have for long waited for that amazing day. There are many good things, yet they may lack the joy (the beauty). And on another aspect, there are things that grant satisfaction, yet they may lack the goodness. … It is not easy for both to get together … Notice that he does not refer to mere dwelling, or living together in one place, but to dwell together in unity; namely, in harmony and love; which make the people of one spirit1. (St. John Chrysostom) The sure and permanent unity of friendship is the one between those alike in goodness alone … By it, love will be genuine between those of the same goal and mind, to have or to reject the same things together. In case you wish to keep that unbreakable love, you should be keen first on ridding yourselves of your faults, and to put your lusts to death, with mutual zeal and unified goal, striving to realize what makes him glad, who says: “How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (1). For, what could reveal the unity of the spirit like dwelling together in one place. … Although those who are different in personality and goal, would try in vain to live together in one place; Yet the distance does not hinder the unity between those who have equal goodness; for union is consummated by God, and not by the place … And no abiding peace could holdfast when there is a difference in will between men2. (Father Joseph) The apostle wrote: “He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1: 6). And 1 On Ps. 133. 2 Cassian, Conferences 16: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 195 our Lord Himself says: “If anyone comes to Me and does not forsake all his wealth (and his own family); and does not hate … even himself, cannot be my disciple” (see Luke 14: 33). … God can realize in us the saying: “How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (1). And I even pray that you could reach the measure of what is written in the Book of Acts: “All who were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4: 34-35). (St. Augustine) 2- THE UNITY IN CHRIST: “It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments” (2) The joyful union could not be realized except by the unity of all together in the Heavenly High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ, as members in His body, who bear His sweet fragrance. “like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments” (2). Whom does he mean by Aaron? … A priest! … And who is He, but that High Priest alone (the Lord Christ), who entered into the Holy of Holies? Who is that priest, but Him who is the Sacrifice, and the Priest at the same time? He who, having not found a pure thing in the whole world to offer, He offered Himself?! The precious oil is upon His head; For the Lord Christ is One, with whom the church unite; But the precious oil come down from the head, Our Head is Christ, crucified, buried, risen, and ascended to heaven. And the Holy Spirit came from the Head. Where to, did it run down? To the beard, which refers to the courageous, mature, zealous, and active. … When we refer to such people, we say that they are with a beard. The precious oil also ran down upon the apostles; ran down on those who were the first to endure the opposition of the world. (St. Augustine) https://coptic-treasures.com/ 196 After this you go up to the Priest (the Lord Christ). Notice what follows. Is it not what David means by saying: “Like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron”? The same oil spoken of by Solomon: “Your name is ointment poured forth, Therefore the virgins love you; Lead me away” (Songs 1: 3-4). How many souls are renewed today, and loved You, O Lord Jesus, while saying: Lead me away! We will run after You”; … after the fragrance of Your garments; the fragrance of Your resurrection. Meditate now in why this happens; Because “The wise man’s eyes are in his head” (Ecclesiastes 2: 14); the oil runs down to the beard; that we, as well, would become an elect race, priesthood, wellappreciated on account of that we are anointed by the spiritual grace, to have fellowship in the kingdom of God, and in the (general) priesthood1. (St. Ambrose) As much as the moth-eaten garment is no more of market value, or of any value whatsoever; And the same with the termite-infested wood, would be unfit for use in construction, but only to be consumed by fire; So it will be with the soul that becomes a victim to continuous fits of destructive depression, it will become unfit for the priesthood garment, which, according to the prophecy of the righteous David is the precious ointment of the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven: “running down to the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garment” (2) 2. (St. John Cassian) It is not possible for an impure soul – however great is her longing for reading – to acquire spiritual knowledge; For no one can pour precious oil or good honey or any valuable fluid in a dirty vessel of filthy odor, For such a vessel will corrupt what is put in it, more than it is affected by the good thing put in it. For the effect of the corrupt will be quicker than that of the pure. … Unless the vessel of our soul is purified from the corruption of sin, it will not be worthy to receive the precious oil about which the prophet says: “Like the precious oil on the head, running down to the beard, the 1 On the Mysteries 6: 29-30. 2 De institutes caenoborum, Book 9: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 197 beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garment” (2). “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? (2 Corinthians 6: 14-15) 1. (Father Nestor) The oils of the anointment are different, each with its spiritual symbolic meaning … As nothing would be sanctified except by anointment, the virgins of the Song of Solomon say: “Your name is ointment poured forth; … Lead us away, We will run after you” (Song 1: 3-4) 2. (St. Jerome) He compares love with the precious ointment and the dew; By the later he reveals the good fragrance, and by the former the tranquility and the joyful appearance3. (St. John Chrysostom) To God, nothing is better than brotherly love; and getting together in harmony; according to what is written: “Behold, how good, and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (1) 4. (Father Chromatis) 3- THE UNITY AND THE ETERNAL LIFE: “It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore” (3) Wherever there is love, harmony, and unity, there will be the blessing of the Lord, and the eternal life. The mountain of Zion here is not that in Jerusalem, but in Hermon, known for dense dew that gives it fertility. It is befitting of our union together to be fruitful by good works through the divine grace, Some commend the joy of love by the words: Love between brethren; Agreement between brethren; and A husband and wife who live together in harmony (See Sirach 25: 1). While others 1 Cassian, Conferences 14: 14. 2 On Ps. Hom. 45 (Ps, 132). 3 On Ps. 133. 4Chromatius: Tractate on Matt. 59: 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 198 refer to its strength by the word: “If two lie down together, they will keep warm; … And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4: 11, 12). Here he confirm both joy and strength … And also: “A brother who helps his brother is like a strong city” (Ecclesiastes 18: 19); And the Lord Christ said: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”( Matthew 18: 20). Now, that is required by nature itself; … That is why at the beginning of the creation of mankind, God said: “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2: 18). “Life forevermore” (3). It is good that he added that; As wherever there is love, there is great security, and a great grace from God; It is the mother of all goods, its origin, and fountain; the end of wars; and the disappearance of animosity. To refer to that, he added: “life forevermore”. Contention and animosity end in death, premature death; whereas love and agreement will cause peace and harmony; whenever there is peace and harmony, life will be practiced in security and perfect surety. And why would we refer to the present; when love, above all, is the queen of virtues which will prepare us for heaven and indescribable goodness; Let us, therefore, care for it, and diligently go after it, to enjoy goodness, both the present, and that to come1. (St. John Chrysostom) In the house of God; In the church of Christ, men dwell together with one mind, and go on living in harmony and simplicity2. (St. Cyprian) 1 On Ps. 133. 2 Treat. 1: 8. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 199 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 133 IN YOU, WE GATHER TOGETHER WITH THE SPIRIT OF LOVE Attaching to You, we gather together; and You embrace us by Your Holy Spirit; You set out of us members in Your holy body; Then, we shall have Your sweet fragrance. I wander when will You come; And Your whole church will gather together on the clouds; Will gather together from Adam to the end of time; And heaven will shake for joy for the heavenly bride; And the heavenly creatures will bring us in, in an amazing procession. Yes, Grant us the heart, wide open by love for all; Grant us Your grace, that we bear the fruit of the Spirit; Let Your grace work in us, to prepare us for Your encounter.
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