Quote from Letter 5,37 to Maurice, Augustus. June 595
But while we leave what is appropriate for us and consider what is inappropriate for us, we associate out sins with barbarian forces. Our sins have sharpened the enemy's swords, which burdens the strength of the republic. But what can we possibly say, since we oppress the people of God, over whom we unworthily preside, with the burdens of our sins, and destroy with our example what we preach with our tongue, and teach unjust things with our works and with our voice alone put forward what is just?
Our bones are worn away with fasting, and we are swollen in our mind. Our body is clad in ragged clothes, but we surpass the purple with the pride of our heart. We are lying in ashes, and despise those on high. Teachers of humility, as leaders of arrogance we keep our wolves' teeth hidden looking like a lamb.
Our bones are worn away with fasting, and we are swollen in our mind. Our body is clad in ragged clothes, but we surpass the purple with the pride of our heart. We are lying in ashes, and despise those on high. Teachers of humility, as leaders of arrogance we keep our wolves' teeth hidden looking like a lamb.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 349.
No comments:
Post a Comment