Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 384

Gregory to Mastalo. From the report of our responsals we have learned that so great an ardor of divine zeal has been kindled in you for the love of the unity of the Church, that whomsoever you have been able, you do not cease to recall to the bosom of Mother Church, and, as a good and faithful servant, do not desist from daily making gain for your Lord and Redeemer, with the utmost intention of mind, from the gift received. And indeed, when he came to us, we learned, as we could, from the display of bodily sight; but the good which, from divine inspiration, remained hidden in the charity of your mind, we now more desirably come to know by the attestation of your work.

Whence, rendering thanks to the divine mercy with unspeakable praise, we exhort your dilection, and comfort you with such admonitions as we can, that as much as the punishment of one who hides the talent received disturbs him, so much may the invitation of the Lord's voice — to be desirably sought after — strengthen you, who make gain and thereby rejoice in the attainment of the heavenly kingdom. For it behooves you to know, most beloved son, that the fruit of this zeal which you have laid hold of lacks not the end of its own recompense. And therefore no contrariety of those who hinder you, or if there is any, ought to disturb you, because the more the good, with the Lord cooperating, shall have been able to be accomplished from the difficulty of the cause, so much the more glorious will be for you the hope of recompense.

For a more excellent victory is born from despair, whatever it be, once attained by the sweats of exceeding labor. We have also come to know that Theodosius our son, your follower and good cooperator in zeal, together with you skillfully keeps vigilant watch in the solicitude of winning souls. For whom we trust that Almighty God, by the intercession of the blessed Peter chief of the Apostles, will very quickly be a rewarder.