Rendere grazie in mezzo alle lacrime. Sofferenza e limite in Gregorio Magno

The life of Gregory the Great was marked by three forms of suffering: 1) physical illness; 2) political and pastoral activities that drew Gregory away from the tranquility of prayer that he so dearly wanted; and 3) daily contact with the sufferings of the people resulting from years of war and devastation. In each of these sufferings, Gregory found a reason for thanksgiving and for spiritual growth. In illness he saw a welcome reminder from God and an encouragement to understand the sufferings of others. In the excessive activities required from his ministry, he saw an occasion to balance it with the practice of daily prayer, in order to grow in the exercise of patience, obedience to God and others. In the dramatic situation that surrounded him, Gregory saw not only a reminder from God and an encouragement to solidarity with those who suffered, but also an appeal to understand more profoundly the faith in God, which continuously sustains a positive outlook even in the midst of tragedy. The condition for these aforesaid discoveries of good in evil was the constant research of love, which overcomes darkness even at its thickest point.