Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
In speaking with a friend of mine recently we were discussing his special needs child and how much of their families focus is consumed meeting the child’s needs. Then my friend said to me I think I focus more on my child than I do on God. My response was overly simplistic but essentially quoted Matthew 25, and said that by ministering to their child they on some levels were ministering to Christ.
St. Paul clearly wants to address the focus of the Corinthians. Paul was trying to point out that people were focused owing allegiance to the one who planted the seed of faith in them. Paul admonishes the community for focusing on the minister, because the minister was simply a human instrument. He reminded them that true growth of faith occurred by God’s laboring in each person. Paul wanted the believers and us to be united as one body united in Christ, to respond in love and service to God and one another.
Today’s gospel illustrates a variety of ways to respond to God. The crowds gathered around Jesus and tried to prevent him from leaving. They must have sensed the power and spirit with which Jesus served and wanted to contain it. Simon’s mother-in-law was healed by Jesus and she immediately served those gathered. Even the demon’s shouted in recognition “You are the Son of God.”
Do we recognize and proclaim Christ in our life? What is our response when we encounter Christ? Does our response attempt to contain the Spirit of God, or does it call us to serve?
For Gregory, the call of Christ focused him on service of Christ. He did this first by giving away much of his wealth and founding monasteries. He became a Benedictine monk and a priest. Eventually the example of his servant’s heart got him elected Pope. As Pope he worked to purify and unite the church. Like Paul, and Peter’s mother-in-law, Gregory reminds us that we need to respond to Christ with the whole of our being.
Being a faithful disciple is not an easy task, especially if we try to accomplish it without Christ. We must bring what we say and do to Lord. Our lives are a response to our encounter with Christ. In light of today’s readings, this means we must recognize to whom we belong and then think, talk and act accordingly! Amen!
- - Michael Montgomery