Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 472

Gregory to Theodore, physician of Constantinople. My most beloved son the deacon Sabinianus, returning to me, brought me no writings from Your Glory, but delivered to the captives and the poor those things which had been sent; and thereby I understood the reason. For you did not wish to speak to a man by letters, because you had made your word to Almighty God in good works. For this same work of yours has its own voice, which cries out to the hidden ears of God, as it is written: Hide alms in the bosom of the poor, and this shall make entreaty for you (Sir. 29:15).

And indeed for me, I confess, it is a sad thing to disburse another's goods, and over and above those which I have from the ecclesiastical estate, to render accounts also of the property of my most gracious son, the lord Theodore. Yet I rejoice with your kindness, because you carefully attend to and keep that which Truth says: Give alms, and behold, all things are clean unto you (Luke 11:41). And this which is written: As water quenches fire, so alms quenches sin (Sir. 3:33). Paul the apostle also says: Let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may be a supplement to your want (2 Cor. 8:14). Tobias too admonishes his son, saying: If you have much, give abundantly;

but if you have little, even out of that little give gladly (Tob. 4:9). You therefore keep all these precepts; but we ask that you pray for us, that we may not dispense the fruit of your labors indiscreetly and otherwise than is needful, lest whence you diminish your sins, we thereby heap up our own. May Almighty God guard you with His protection, and so grant you human favor in the earthly palace, that after long ages He may lead you to the eternal joys of the heavenly palace.

Moreover, as the blessing of Saint Peter, prince of the apostles, whom you greatly love, we have sent you a key from his most sacred body, in which is enclosed iron from his chains, so that what bound his neck unto martyrdom may loose your own from all sins. Gregory to Andreas. Receiving the writings of Your Magnitude, and learning of your welfare, I rejoiced; and I was greatly gladdened by the kindness of our most pious lady, who deigned to show you her favor. And that the lady Constantina, that most dear maiden, was snatched away from the allurements of this world before she was married, I exult vehemently.

But that which you said—that you have entered into the warfare of her Bridegroom, and that you wished to be commended to our most serene lord the emperor, so that he might assign you some tasks where he deems you useful—this touched my mind with no small grief; for I always thought that the goodness of your character tended in another direction. For I have known many who, placed in the service of the commonwealth, are grievously afflicted, because they are not permitted to be at leisure and to bewail their sins; and you—why, I know not—desire to be entangled? Why, magnificent son, do you not consider that the world is at its end? All things are daily driven onward; we are led to render our accounts to the eternal and dread Judge. What else, then, ought we to think of but of His coming?

For our life is like that of one sailing: for he who sails, whether he stands, sits, or lies down, still goes forward, because he is carried by the impulse of the ship. So then are we too, who whether waking or sleeping, silent or speaking, walking or still, willing or unwilling, through the moments of time daily press on toward our end. When therefore the day of our end has come, where will be for us all that which is now sought with such care and gathered with such solicitude? Not honor, then, nor riches are to be sought, which are left behind. But if we seek good things, let us love those which we shall possess without end. But if we dread evil things, let us fear those which are endured by the reprobate without end.

But this very thing—to be in the service of the most pious prince—how great is the occupation of the mind in the craving for earthly favor, and how great the fear lest this same favor be lost once it has been obtained! Weigh therefore what a punishment it is either to be wearied by the desire of prosperity, or to tremble with the fear of adversity. Wherefore I rather urge that Your Magnitude may strive to live for a little while in your former purpose, in a delightful lodging of pilgrimage, and to lead a quiet and tranquil life, to be free for sacred readings, to meditate on heavenly words, to kindle oneself in the love of eternal things, to do good works from earthly goods according to your strength, and to hope for the everlasting kingdom as their reward.

But to live thus is already to have a share in the life of eternity. These things, magnificent son, I speak because I love you greatly. And because you are heading into storms and waves, I call you back to the shore with the ropes of my words; and if you are willing to follow me as I draw you, then, set on the very shore of your rest, you will recognize what perils you have escaped, what joys you have found. Moreover, I give thanks that you took care to make me wary of the two persons who came with the glorious Callinicus—although of the person whom Your Magnitude first named, we already hold no small experience among the wicked. But because the times are such, we bear all things with groaning.

May Almighty God guard you with His protection, and grant you both to do well here, and to rejoice with Him forever in eternal glory.