REJOICING IN HER SHOWERS

Indeed these holy preachers advance because through their ministry the gifts of grace are multiplied in Holy Church, as it is written of this same Holy Church: “Do Thou make her furrows drunk with water, multiply her fruits; in her showers will she be glad when she sprouteth forth” (Ps 64:11). For the furrows of the Holy Church are the holy preachers who moisten the earth of our heart. But when the furrows are drunk with water the generations of the Church are multiplied because when the preachers receive the more copious grace of the Spirit the number of the faithful is increased. Thus Holy Church rejoices in her showers. For in the shower, the water which fell from heaven to the roof falls from the roof to the earth. Truly the roof of the Church is the holy preachers who by intercession and by strengthening us with their admonitions protect us. But because their heart is divinely moistened in preaching the water comes as from heaven to the roof. Because truly we are watered by their words as the water flows from the roof to the ground. Therefore Holy Church, when she sprouts forth, rejoices in her showers because when she is born in faith and good works she ponders the gifts which she has received and exults in the words of the preachers.

Gregory the Great, Homilies on the Book of Ezekiel I.X: 41 (Ez 3:1-14), trans. by Theodosia Gray, Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, 1990, p. 126.