Chapter 11. The Splendid Generosity of the Empress Maria

¹ But your mother, O emperor, was not caught in nets of that kind; rather, spurning every merely human calculation, and leaving to earthly-minded men the wish to have her name called upon her lands, she built for herself a temple such as the master-builder Paul describes for us — Christ as the foundation, and silver and precious stones built up upon it through the poor as her workmen. For she distributed much to those citizens most in need of mercy; and with many gifts she refreshed the monastic company, women and men alike, all of it fighting manfully against the ruler of this world. Nor did she leave the islands across the water outside your holding; there too you sowed your seed, which you will reap with rejoicing in due season, if you do not lose heart. So I say that you too can say, “Renew yourselves before me, O islands” — before me, who have become your savior and nurse. As for those who come to you daily, how you receive each one of them as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself; how your giving comes with gladness, and with that gladness, abundance too—who could possibly recount it all? Or rather, who could even attempt it without becoming an object of laughter? One might sooner count how many times a day you have drawn breath than how many times you have shown mercy. For to you, breathing and showing mercy are one and the same thing.