Letter to Bishop Dominic of Carthage

Letter to St. Gregory the Great (Dvoeslovo) to Bishop Dominic of Carthage is dedicated to revealing the power of Christian love. The saint convinces the addressee that love is not only the highest virtue, but also the basis of pastoral service. It transforms a person, reconciles those at war, unites those who are divided, and encourages good deeds. St. Gregory calls on Dominic to love not only his brothers and children, but also his enemies, thereby setting an example for his flock. Great, beloved brother, is the virtue of love! Upon the appearance of heavenly grace, she, having bowed the divine to the earthly, and pacified man himself, who was struggling with the seductions of the flesh, took root so deeply in human hearts that she bowed the high, exalted the low, reconciled the hostile, tamed the cruel, consented to the contrary, corrected the damaged, and, uniting the hearts of people separated by large seas, lands and different climates, bound them with her tender bonds. But can the feeble tongue of man ever sufficiently praise all acts of love? Its perfect praise is in heaven, but on earth its fruits should be shown rather than talked about, so that, not being able to express it in words, we can at least show it in our compassion. Therefore, although we do not praise her with our lips, we must still try to fulfill her commands. Although we are separated by space and far from each other; but despite this, I love you with all my heart, just as you should love not only me, but also your brethren and children. And how could it be otherwise, if perfection consists not so much in love for one’s brothers and children, but in love for one’s enemies? We, beloved brother, still have the responsibilities of the Shepherd. Let us not only love our brothers, but let us also unite with our very enemies by bonds of love. Let us maintain peace and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Let us practice good deeds; let us enrich ourselves with virtues; Let a sound mind be united in our soul with great deeds. In this way we will walk before God and all Israel. Let us set an example to the flock entrusted to us, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Let there be a word on our tongue, and a fire of jealousy in our soul, so that we may truly belong to the number of those about whom it is said: and the nations appeared to them divided like fire: but they sat on one of them (Acts 2:3). For tongues of fire will truly sit on each of us if we are flaming with the fire of the Holy Spirit in exhortations to love our brethren and children. Let us, as long as we have the opportunity, cultivate the field of the Lord entrusted to us; Let us, as long as there is time, sow seeds in fear, without ceasing to do good deeds: in due time we will certainly reap with joy, let us count ourselves among those about whom the Psalmist speaks: those who walk and weep, throwing their seeds, and whom, calling for the gathering of the fruits of the harvest, he adds: those who are coming will come with joy, taking hold of their hands. (Ps. 126:6). Let us vigilantly watch, and, leaving the earthly, let us cleave to the heavenly, forgetting what is behind, let us diligently reach out to what is before. Let our mind not be whirled in worldly diversity, but let it strive for one thing and achieve that goal, which David perfectly describes, saying: I have asked one thing of the Lord, then I will require that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life (Ps. 26:4). Let the hearts of the good Shepherds be inflamed with this love; let our whole soul cling to it. While we are still on earth, let the tears that roll like hail fertilize the broken heart. For we, beloved brother, only rise in love for our neighbors when we love God with all our heart, with all our soul and mind, and with all our strength. I accept the temporary hotels arranged by you with true love, although I have no need for them. I thank you for your unfeigned love, and for the constancy with which you manage the flock of Christ entrusted to you. I am very pleased to see how all the Shepherd’s thoughts are based on true love.