Pope Benedict XVI in English - Weekly General Audience
In today’s audience we turn to the writings of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, whose
constant aim was to present the Church’s teaching on the ways that lead to the contemplation
of God. His Homilies on Ezekiel, and his Moral Commentary on Job present a model
of spiritual life which integrates prayer and action. In his Homilies on the Gospels
Saint Gregory explained how the preacher’s own spiritual experience of Christ should
form the basis of his exhortations. The Pastoral Rule describes the ideal Bishop
as a teacher and guide who leads by example and adapts his preaching to the specific
background of those he addresses. The Dialogues, a work full of rich theological
and spiritual insights, describe the lives of the saints of Gregory’s epoch. In all
things he insists on intellectual humility as a key to the meaning of Scripture, and
proposes to Pastors and the faithful alike, the continual practise of lectio divina
in order to better understand and follow God’s will. Pope Gregory defended the prerogatives
of the See of Rome, but with humility as the servant of the servants of God, and respected
the rights of other Pastors, especially the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria.
May the life and teaching of Saint Gregory guide and inspire us on our way to the
joyous contemplation of God in eternity!
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I offer a warm welcome
to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors here today, including the groups
from England, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Canada and the United States.
I extend special greetings to the group of Episcopalian pilgrims from Jerusalem, and
to the many student groups present at this audience. May God bless you all!