Theodoret of Cyrrhus → Claudianus

To Claudianus,

The divine celebration [Easter or a major feast] has brought us its usual spiritual blessings, but the bitter fruits of sin have not allowed us to enjoy them with a glad heart. Sin has always produced the same harvest: in the beginning it brought forth thorns, thistles, sweat, toil, and pain. Now it shakes the earth beneath us and raises hostile nations against us on every side. We grieve because we force a good God -- one who wants to bless us -- to punish us instead. We compel him to act as judge when he would rather act as benefactor.

Yet when we remember the unfathomable depths of his mercy, we take comfort and trust that "the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance" [Psalm 94:14].

I greet your magnificence and ask you to send word of your health -- which I very much want to hear is good.