Everything has a price....

Letter 1,6 - to Narses. October 590.

"As you describe the heights of contemplation, you have made me lament my ruin once again. For I heard what I had lost internally, while I was ascending to the highest command, externally and undeservedly. But realize that I am struck by so much grief that I am scarcely able to speak. For the eyes of my mind are blocked off by the shadows of my grief. Whatever I look at is gloomy, whatever I think is delightful appears lamentable to my heart. For I weigh carefully, falling from the high summit of my repose, to what a low peak of external advancement I have risen. And sent, for my sins, into an occupational exile from the face of the Lord, I say with the prophet in his words, as at the destruction of Judeae: 'He who comforted me has withdrawn far from me' (Lam 1:16)."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 124.

Some Irony & A Call for Prayer

Letter 1,4 - to John of Constantinople. October 590.

"If the virtue of charity consists of love for one's neighbors, and if we are accordingly ordered to love our neighbors as ourselves, why is it that your Beatitude does not love me as much as you love yourself? For I know with what ardor, with what zeal you wished to escape the burdens of the episcopate, and yet you did not prevent these same burdens of the episcopate from being imposed on me. And so it is certain that you do not love me as much as you love yourself, for you wanted me to undertake those burdens that you did not want imposed o yourself. But because, while unworthy and inform, I have taken on an old and very broken down ship (for the waves pour in from all sides and the rotten planks, shaken by daily and powerful storms, suggest a shipwreck), I ask by our almighty Lord that in this danger of mine you stretch forth the hand of your prayer. For you are able to pray all the more earnestly, as you are situated further away from the confusion of the tribulations from which we suffer in this country."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 121.

A Heavy Burden

INTRODUCTION This is the first letter with a hint to Gregory's elevation to the papacy. He was more a monk, who longed for a contemplative life, but he was drawn (again) to the world. And was congratulated for what he did not want by his friends. He doesn't hesitate to point to the fact, that he is not the only one 'bound by the burden of office'.

Letter 1,3 - to Paul the Scholastic. September 590.
"However much strangers congratulate me, due to the honor of my episcopal office, I do not put much value on it. But when you congratulate me over this matter, it brings me no little pain, as you are very well aware of my wish and yet believe that I have been successful. For it would have been the highest promotion for me, if what I wanted could have been fulfilled, if I had been able to achieve my desire, which you have long known about, the attainment of longed-for peace and quiet. But as things are, because I am held bound by the chains of this office in the city of Rome, I have something over which I may also rejoice, to your Glory. For with the arrival of the ex-consul and most eminent Lord Leo, I suspect that you will not remain in Sicily. And when you too, bound by your office, realize that you are kept in Rome, you will recognize what grief and bitterness I myself am suffering."

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 121.