Corinthe au temps de saint paul - l'archeologie eclaire les textes
Jérome murphy-o'connor
--
Examining first of all the sin and rejection of King Saul, then the election and royal unction of the young David, this latest volume of ‘Gregorian' commentary depicts these two men as figures of the Christian priesthood. Saul represents those weak bishops who abounded in the 12th century, according to Pierre de Cava, who claims that the sins of lust proliferated amongst the high clergy. David, on the contrary, embodies the ideal shepherd who allied severity towards sin with compassion for sinners. Samuel, who reproved Saul and conferred upon David the royal unction, has also the characteristics of a bishop. Apart from the insights he offers into the clerical life of his time, the author addresses some recommendations to his brother monks, suggesting that they participate in their communal existence to the full and show obedience to their superiors. However, the last words in this great work, like the first, are devoted to Christ, whom one never wearies of contemplating through the prism of these figures.