Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, and Doctor of the Church
We do not often remember a saint on the day they became pope and not their death anniversary! Today, we honor Gregory the Great, who became our papal leader on this day in 590. (From 1570 – 1969, the precious liturgical calendar honored his anniversary of death on March 12, but it was always during Lent, hence the move to this day.)
On the day he began his great work, the spirit of God invited him, as Paul stated to the Corinthians, “to scrutinize, lead, counsel and always be the mind of Christ to others.” He led the first recorded large-scale mission to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons and invited them to become part of the faith. He expanded his ways to bring Spain and France with England to know Christ, worship Christ in a particular ritual, and bring the holiness he learned from his monastic years to influence a way of contemplation and action.
I’m sure this sounds familiar because our holy founder wants to combine prayer and mission. Gregory wrote we should have silence of the heart while we contemplate, only to see where God calls us to serve. Gregory, like Christ, spoke with authority and brought a new spirit to our church at a crucial time.
While best known for the style of music named after him (i.e., Gregorian Chant), his advocacy for active participation of folks during the liturgy challenged the conventional ways in a time where language and cultures were expanding again after a time of disenchantment. His vow of poverty was carried into his leadership, and he advocated for the church to return to the practice of alms and food for the poor. This won the hearts of the Romans, seeing how the Eucharist leads to mission and care for the Body of Christ.
How will my Eucharist lead to care for another today? Who needs my loving care, wisdom, and counsel?
Prayer:
O God, you call me to pray, contemplate your loving care, and show others the extraordinary gifts of your love. May my worship, charity, and service show Christ to others in need and inspire them to be of service to build up the Body of Christ. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
