Quote from Letter 6,7 to Theodoritus, Demetrius, Philp, Zenon and Alciso, bishops of Epirus. September 595
Moreover, be concerned, dearest of brethren, and provide the flock entrusted to you with the attention that you have reveived and now owe. Resist the enemy's deceits with concern and prayer. With uncontaminated faith, surrender the people over whom you rul to our God, so that, before the sight of our eternal Judge, your priestly office may lead you not to a penalty, but to a crown.
(...) Furthermore it has come to our attention that holy orders in those parts are conferred with the gift of a payment. If that is so, I say with tears, I declare with groans that, when the priestly order is rotten on the inside, it will not be able to survive for long externally. For indeed, we know from the gospel what our Redeemer did in person, how he went into the temple and overturned the seats of those selling doves. For to sell doves is to reveive a temporal payment for the Holy Spirit whom almighty God has granted to mankind as being consubstantial with himself, through the laying on of hands.
Moreover, be concerned, dearest of brethren, and provide the flock entrusted to you with the attention that you have reveived and now owe. Resist the enemy's deceits with concern and prayer. With uncontaminated faith, surrender the people over whom you rul to our God, so that, before the sight of our eternal Judge, your priestly office may lead you not to a penalty, but to a crown.
(...) Furthermore it has come to our attention that holy orders in those parts are conferred with the gift of a payment. If that is so, I say with tears, I declare with groans that, when the priestly order is rotten on the inside, it will not be able to survive for long externally. For indeed, we know from the gospel what our Redeemer did in person, how he went into the temple and overturned the seats of those selling doves. For to sell doves is to reveive a temporal payment for the Holy Spirit whom almighty God has granted to mankind as being consubstantial with himself, through the laying on of hands.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 406
No comments:
Post a Comment