Forty Gospel Homilies: Volume 123

It is often forgotten, in the centuries after scholastic systems and Reformation polemic came to dominate the study of theology; just how intimate was the familiarity the Church Fathers and monastic authors had of Scripture. It formed their prayer, their lives, and their teaching.

The author of a book on Pastoral Care, Gregory the Great (+604) reveals himself in these forty sermons on the gospel as both pastor and preacher. He pays careful attention to the historical details of Scripture, seeks out its moral application to daily Christian life, and through it reflects on the hidden reality of God. For the Christian, study of Scripture entails a personal engagement with mystery, and openness to transformation. This is not a form of escapism but an attempt to achieve a mystical, intuitive, experiential perception of the divine while one is still held bound by earthly and bodily ties. Everything Gregory thought or spoke or wrote leads to this goal. This is why he remains an effective guide for those who seek a religion that gives meaning to their lives.