Memorial of Saint Gregory
the Great, pope
(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)
St. Gregory is known as “the Great” because of his many
accomplishments as pope. Of these he is
particularly famous for his sending out missionaries to England and Germany. Especially in the latter place he is credited
with facilitating the acceptance of Christianity by allowing the inculturation
of the faith. The pagan people there
were accustomed to worshipping outside, but Christians generally worship in
churches. Gregory promoted the adoption
of blessings of fields so that the new religion would not seem so strange to
the Germans. Pagans had their host of deities
which was, of course, incompatible with Christian practice. Gregory had missionaries use the saints as
heavenly patrons for the people. Just as
there was a god for silversmiths, there would be a patron saint for these
workers.
In today’s gospel Jesus likewise promotes missionary
activity. His sending Peter and
companions back to the waters to fish prefigures their going forth to all nations. They will bring many to hope in eternal life once
Jesus is crucified and risen from the dead.
The Church challenges all its members to consider
themselves as missionaries. Its “new
evangelization” is a call that we bring others to the faith. It is not a sending forth to distant shores
but to our own families and associates.
By lives demonstrating how love for God moves us to care for neighbor,
we are to instill the longing for eternal life in Christ.
