Gregory the Great, on 1Sam 1:6

“Her rival also afflicted her, and troubled her exceedingly, insomuch that she upbraided her, that the Lord had shut up her womb:”

“(Moral Exposition) Anna is afflicted by her rival, when immoderate attention to good work disturbs the quiet of inner vision. She is afflicted when she who is proved to be more noble is placed before her, and she is greatly distressed, because the contemplation of the elect mind is narrowed when he who desires to be in the contemplation of sublime things spreads himself too immoderately in the works of the active life. For to distress is to constrict. Indeed the vision of the mind is constricted when, impeded by the occupations of works, it is by no means expanded in that immensity of inner light. And because she is said to distress her greatly, it should be noted that immoderate concern for good work also harms contemplation not a little. For Peninnah greatly distresses Anna, because when the mind is immoderately devoted to the active life, it is very difficult for it, while it occupies itself with arranging earthly things, to rise powerfully in the vision of heavenly things. Peninnah also reproaches her as if barren, because while we quickly bring forth the fruit of good works from the active life, and cannot easily attain to the joys of inner contemplation, she appears barren while we, inexperienced, despair of her fruitfulness. Therefore while we love Peninnah for her fruitfulness, Anna is afflicted, distressed, and marked with the reproach of barrenness, because while we do not restrain the concern for good actions with the discretion we ought, we render the purity of contemplation so much more difficult for ourselves, inasmuch as we by no means retain the nobler life with excellent zeal. But because she has begun to ascend to higher things, if she is strong in her purpose, enduring such trials, she does not despair. For she strives toward those lofty heights of contemplation which she has begun, and scorns to be consoled by the food of action, she who has desired to delight in the sight of the Creator alone. And so it is fittingly added: (Verse 7.) Moreover Anna wept, and did not take food.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.

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