HEARKEN TO THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH
First we need to listen, pray, and then respond, when God hears our
prayer and calls us to action.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
For a man who could
have had a prosperous, well-to-do life but preferred to be a simple monk,
Gregory is a shining example of listening to God's invitations and responding
wholeheartedly. In St. Paul letter to the Colossians this also could have flowed
from Gregory's pen as well. "God has now reconciled you." And Paul
also wrote: "the hope of the Gospel...preached to every creature under
heaven." This past week the church honored St. Gregory the Great, Pope,
and Doctor of the Church. After a career in civil and political service Gregory
became a monk in the Roman Monastery of St. Andrew. There he rigorously
observed the Benedictine Rule, which he did throughout his life. At the time he
was elected Pope he was a deacon. He tried to avoid it, but eventually acceded
to the wish of the electors and was consecrated on September 3, 590.
As Pope he
continued his work on behalf of the poor of his community. He was involved in
civil government and in the spiritual affairs of the Church. It was he who sent
St. Augustine and his monks to evangelize England. To his credit goes the
laying of the foundation of what was to become the Papal States. He was
tireless and energetic in matters relating to the internal affairs of the
Church, providing a model for his bishops. He also had great interest in the
clergy of the Church in their formation. Gregory took a personal interest in
changing and developing the liturgy. Wow! What one person can do...
Our world today
could use a few more like, Pope Gregory to our current Pope, Francis, for they
are the "servants of the servants of God" like them, in politics and
religion, in business and education, in media and entertainment, and whatever
we find ourselves-preferring nothing whatever to Christ Jesus and the Gospel,
so that in all things God may be glorified.
First we need to
listen, pray, and then respond, when God hears our prayer and calls us to
action. "O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth" (Ps 54:4.) This was Gregory the Great,
and the way to holiness.