Memorial of St Gregory the Great

1 Cor. 2:10-16, Lk. 4:31-37. Much of the time, life plods quietly along, routine setting the pace of each day. In today’s first reading, Paul urges us to take a higher view of things and be in a state of ongoing conversion, so as to value the spiritual dimension of ourselves. The natural person is hardly aware of the Spirit of God, but the Spirit is there to help us be our full selves. When Paul says “we have the mind of Christ,” this guiding principle is also available to us, even if we stubbornly cling to what is familiar, there is still hope. Just as He did for the troubled man in Capernaum, God can come into our lives to drive out whatever anxiety or fear is holding us back.

Like the people in the Synagogue recounted in today’s Gospel, Jesus’ words have the Divine ring of truth. Let us allow Him speak to our heart and pour freshness into the dark reserves of our unconscious. If we feel our need, we can ask Him to set us free from any addiction or compulsion that may ail us. It is through our closeness to Jesus that we can develop our full potential. St Gregory the Great developed His full potential in serving the Lord by his great campaign to reform the Roman Church. Gregory was born as the son of a Roman senator during the years when the Roman Empire just restored their rule over Rome after several decades of rule by the Germanic kingdoms. He lived in a monastery that he established within his Roman estate and was quite involved in the Roman matters and governance. He was well-educated and became a government official and then ordained as a deacon and becoming the Roman ambassador to the Imperial court in Constantinople, until he elected pope.

May the Lord strengthen us in our resolve to do His will and protect us from all evil! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!