Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 752

Gregory to Dominicus, bishop of Carthage. How abundant the charity of your heart is, you show with the tongue as interpreter, since you so season the words of your letters with its sweetness that all you write is sweet and delightful. Hence it comes that we embrace your Fraternity, whom we cannot embrace in body, with the arms of love. For what the length of the journey denies to concordant souls, the office of charity supplies. And since, just as we are refreshed by the health of most beloved brothers, so we are saddened by their sickness, we give thanks to Almighty God, who has consoled our sorrow with the message of prosperity. For hearing that you had incurred a most grievous infirmity, before we had received your writings, we were held in the greater sadness.

But since, when we are snatched from the peril of death, it is uncertain, dearest brother, for what we are reserved, let us turn this time of reprieve to the profit of the soul; and, about to render our accounts to the Judge who is to come, let us fortify our cause before Him with tears and good works, so that we may deserve to receive security concerning the things we have done. For even in secular suits the kindly judge frequently grants a reprieve for this purpose, that he who was not prepared before may afterward come prepared to judgment. And of what sort is it, if what we observe in earthly affairs we neglect for the salvation of the soul? And therefore, since, according to the word of John the apostle, no one is without sin (1 John 1:8),

let us recall to memory the allurements of our thoughts, the incontinence of the tongue, the works of our transgressions; and while it is permitted, with great knocking let us blot out the stains of our iniquities, so that our just and merciful Redeemer may not execute vengeance according to our merits, but according to His mercy may bend to pardon. And because our office does not suffice to weep for its own sins, unless it also bear solicitude for those of others, let us more studiously spend care in the custody of the flock committed to us, and by persuading, exhorting, terrifying, preaching, as far as heavenly clemency grants strength, let us hasten to fulfil our office in deed, so that, by the bounty of our Creator, we may await the longed-for reward.

But since we cannot do any good thing without divine aid, let us with joined prayers, most beloved brother, entreat Almighty God, that He may direct us as guide in the way of His commandments together with the flock committed to us, and that He Himself may grant us both to understand and to do the things that are pleasing to Him, He who by the gift of His mercy has willed us to have the name of shepherds. Moreover, by the transmission of your Holiness, we have received the blessing of blessed Agileus the martyr with that same charity with which it was transmitted to us by you. In the month of September, in the fifth indiction.