Quote from Letter 5,15 to John, bishop of Ravenna. November 594
Reflect, therefore, on all of these things about which I have already spoken, my very dear brother. Pay attention to the day of your calling, consider what account you will give for the burden of your episcopate. Correct that behavior of a notary. See what is fitting for the tongue, and for the acts of bishops. Be totally pure with your brethren. Do not say one thing and have another in your heart, and do not seek to appear more than you are, so that you can really be more than you appear to be. Believe me, when I came to this position, I deliberated so carefully and felt such affection for your Fraternity, that if you have been willing to preserve that same affection of mine, you would never have found such a brother again, loving you so sincerely and agreeing with you in all devotion.
But learning of your words and behavior, I must confess that I recoiled. I ask you therefore by almighty God, correct all those things that I have put before you, especially the vice of duplicity. Allow me to love you, and both for the present and for the life to come, it will be to your advantage that your brethren love you.
But reply to this not with words for me, but with your behavior.
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 332
Showing posts with label brethren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brethren. Show all posts
Friday, 7 September 2012
Sunday, 21 August 2011
In Respons To Your Letter....
Letter 3,52 - to John, bishop of Constantinopel. July 593
"Would it not have been better that meat went in that mouth for consumption, than that a false story should come out of it to mock a very close friend? Especially when Truth says: 'It is not what enters one mouth that defiles that person, but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one'.
But let this not be true, so that I not believe something of that sort about your most holy heart. Those letters were marked by your name at the top, but I do not think that they were yours.
I had written to that most blessed man, Lord John, but I believe that a quite young servant of yours wrote back to me, who has learnt nothing about God so far, who does not know the inner parts of love, who is accused by all for his sinful actions, and who contrives each day the deaths of various people through secret testaments. And yet neither fears God nor shows shame before men. Believe me, most holy brother, if you have a perfect zeal for truth, first correct yourself, so that besides those who are close to you, those also who are not close to you may be changed for the better by your example. Do not accept that man's utterance. He ought to be directer to the counsel of your Holiness, and your Holiness ought not to be altered to his words. For if you listen to him, I know that you will not be able to have peace with your brethren."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 270.
"Would it not have been better that meat went in that mouth for consumption, than that a false story should come out of it to mock a very close friend? Especially when Truth says: 'It is not what enters one mouth that defiles that person, but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one'.
But let this not be true, so that I not believe something of that sort about your most holy heart. Those letters were marked by your name at the top, but I do not think that they were yours.
I had written to that most blessed man, Lord John, but I believe that a quite young servant of yours wrote back to me, who has learnt nothing about God so far, who does not know the inner parts of love, who is accused by all for his sinful actions, and who contrives each day the deaths of various people through secret testaments. And yet neither fears God nor shows shame before men. Believe me, most holy brother, if you have a perfect zeal for truth, first correct yourself, so that besides those who are close to you, those also who are not close to you may be changed for the better by your example. Do not accept that man's utterance. He ought to be directer to the counsel of your Holiness, and your Holiness ought not to be altered to his words. For if you listen to him, I know that you will not be able to have peace with your brethren."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 270.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Love Your Neighbor
Letter 1,43 - to all the bishops throughout Illyria. May 591.
"You should (therefore) show yourself obedient in this matter, and first of all to the heavenly Prince, and you should consent to the emperor's orders also, that is, you should freely undertake to console the brethren and fellow bishops, who are oppressed also by the difficulties of captivity and of diverse shortages of live, and to have them live with you with Church support.
The dignity of the episcopal throne should certainly not be divided through this communion, but they should be allowed to receive sufficient sustenance from the Church, as far as is possible.
Thus, we are shown to love both our neighbor in God and God in our neighbor. For although we have attributed no authority to them in your churches, yet we encourage you most strongly to support them with your consolation."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 169.
"You should (therefore) show yourself obedient in this matter, and first of all to the heavenly Prince, and you should consent to the emperor's orders also, that is, you should freely undertake to console the brethren and fellow bishops, who are oppressed also by the difficulties of captivity and of diverse shortages of live, and to have them live with you with Church support.
The dignity of the episcopal throne should certainly not be divided through this communion, but they should be allowed to receive sufficient sustenance from the Church, as far as is possible.
Thus, we are shown to love both our neighbor in God and God in our neighbor. For although we have attributed no authority to them in your churches, yet we encourage you most strongly to support them with your consolation."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 169.
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