Letter 4,1 - to Constantius, bishop of Milan. September 593
"Therefore it is proper for you to respond to their behavior with priestly kindness in all things, and to agree with their needs with holy compassion. If some of these happen to have vices, you should ensure them with timely criticisms, so that your priestly indignation is itself combined also with the virtue of sweetness. Thus you should also be loved by your subjects then, even when you shall be gravely feared.
This approach will also provide your person with great reverence in their judgement. For, just as hasty and repeated fury is despised, even so discrete indignation against faults very often becomes all the more frightening, as it is slow to arise.
But John, our sub-deacon, returning here has reported to us many good things about your Fraternity. Concerning these, we ask almighty God to complete what He himself has begun, so that he may show that you have made progress inwardly and outwardly, now among men and afterwards among the angels."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 287.
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compassion. Show all posts
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Sunday, 19 December 2010
About Castor
Letter 2,25 - to John, bishop of Ravenna. April 592.
"Your Fraternity showed your compassion, keen before to visit our brother and fellow-bishop Castor, suiting your convenience, and also to receive him afterwards in the city of Ravenna, because of the growing sickness of his body.
Wherefore you have without doubt indebted not just us, for the charity given by you, but God as well. For you have proved that you felt compassion over a brother's illness, and have not only visited him when sick with bodily pains, but also received him at your home.
In fact I myself refused totally to consecrate him there, because of his simple-mindedness. But the insistence of his supporters brought it about that I could in no way speak against him. But if it ca be done, you will greatly benefit me and yourself if you send him down to me even via Sicily, provided you judge that the journey is not painful for him."
"Your Fraternity showed your compassion, keen before to visit our brother and fellow-bishop Castor, suiting your convenience, and also to receive him afterwards in the city of Ravenna, because of the growing sickness of his body.
Wherefore you have without doubt indebted not just us, for the charity given by you, but God as well. For you have proved that you felt compassion over a brother's illness, and have not only visited him when sick with bodily pains, but also received him at your home.
In fact I myself refused totally to consecrate him there, because of his simple-mindedness. But the insistence of his supporters brought it about that I could in no way speak against him. But if it ca be done, you will greatly benefit me and yourself if you send him down to me even via Sicily, provided you judge that the journey is not painful for him."
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Help For Those In Need
Letter 1,65 - to Peter. July 591.
"If we confront the needs of our neighbors with customary compassion and kindly intent, without doubts we find the Lord merciful to our requests. Indeed we have learnt that Pastor, who has a wife and slaves and suffers from an extreme weakness of vision, and who served with Jonathas, once of glorious memory, is subject to a great many needs. For that reason we order your Experience with the letter bearing this instruction not to delay in giving him annually enough measures of corn, and enough measures of beans also to sustain him, and these costs could be charged to your account afterwards."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 182.
"If we confront the needs of our neighbors with customary compassion and kindly intent, without doubts we find the Lord merciful to our requests. Indeed we have learnt that Pastor, who has a wife and slaves and suffers from an extreme weakness of vision, and who served with Jonathas, once of glorious memory, is subject to a great many needs. For that reason we order your Experience with the letter bearing this instruction not to delay in giving him annually enough measures of corn, and enough measures of beans also to sustain him, and these costs could be charged to your account afterwards."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 182.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Help Those In Need
Letter 1,57 - to Sub-deacon Anthelm. July 591
"If we confront the necessities of those nearest to us with customary compassion and kindly intent, without doubt we find the Lord merciful to our requests. Indeed, the illustrious lady, Palatina, has suggested to us that she is subject to a great many needs. due to the continual hostilities. For that reason we instruct your Experience with the present authority not to delay in giving her thirty gold coins per annum for her maintanance, which could be charged to your account afterwards."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 177.
"If we confront the necessities of those nearest to us with customary compassion and kindly intent, without doubt we find the Lord merciful to our requests. Indeed, the illustrious lady, Palatina, has suggested to us that she is subject to a great many needs. due to the continual hostilities. For that reason we instruct your Experience with the present authority not to delay in giving her thirty gold coins per annum for her maintanance, which could be charged to your account afterwards."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 177.
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