Lutherans commemorate Gregory the Great today. Gregory, whose name means, watchful, was the Bishop of Rome or Pope from 590 to 604. He was well educated and from a wealthy family. His great-great grandfather had also been Bishop of Rome. (That was back in the days when priests could be married.) Gregory seemed destined for the life of a government official, but on his father’s death turned the family home into a monastery. It’s thanks to his writings that we know about the life of Benedict, the founder of Benedictine monasticism.

Gregory was too talented to be left in his monastery and was assigned various church offices. Rather against his will, he was chosen as pope in 590. Even though he didn’t want the job, he was a master of it. It was Gregory who sent missionaries to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. He organized the distribution of charity to care for the poor of Rome. He also made a number of changes in the liturgy that we still follow today like the place of the Lord’s Prayer in the service. He wrote numerous sermons and letters that are still read today. Although it isn’t certain exactly what influence he had on church music, the type of chant used in Western Christianity is called Gregorian Chant after him.

It’s always worth remembering church leaders from the past to learn how they lived the Christians faith. Nevertheless, we should remember that God calls all of us into service even if no one ever gives us the title “The Great.”

Read 2 Timothy 4:5 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne