false 3163571 1 Gregory the Great (c. 560-604) occupies a key position in the development of Christian commentary on the Scriptures. Pope and political leader during a chaotic era of transition in the history of Western Europe, he may be best known for his famous encounter with English children in the Roman slave market and his commissioning of St. Augustine of Canterbury's subsequent mission to England. Gregory's "Homilies on the Gospels" were first preached in 591-92, early in his papacy, and were very popular for their vigorous and engaging style. Using simple words to preach to the nobles and common people of Rome, Gregory employs metaphors, analogies, stories and images to answer basic questions of faith. His exegetical interpretation may often seem simplistic to the modern reader, but shows his dependence on earlier patristic tradition and reveals his pastoral heart. <P>Santha Bhattacharji's clear introduction and division of the sermon into small segments make the homilies easily accessible for thoughtful meditation and devotional reading. 3195411 1 4 2001 Reading the Gospels with Gregory the Great: Homilies on the Gospels, 21-26 0 0 2 0 0 0 false false Sat Sep 20 11:34:31 -0700 2008 Sat Sep 20 11:34:55 -0700 2008 0 0 false false Fri Apr 04 17:08:11 -0700 2008 Fri Apr 04 17:08:11 -0700 2008 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=3163571