Lutherans have a spotty understanding of church history. They have some idea of the  missionary work of Paul. Then there is a 1500 year gap until Martin Luther. Then another 400-year gap until they started Sunday School at First Lutheran in Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. How much we miss.

Today we commemorate Gregory called the Great who was bishop of Rome or Pope from 590-604. He came from a wealthy Roman family, was well educated, and at the age of 33 became Prefect of Rome. Two years later he resigned his position and set up the a monastery on his father’s estate. Gregory would have been happy to spend the rest of his life at his monastery, but his talent was recognized by Pope Pelagius II. He was ordained and given several important offices in the Roman Church. Against his will, Gregory was elected Pope in 590.

Gregory was a busy Pope. He centralized church administration in Rome, made provisions for the care of the poor, launched missionary work to England, promoted monasticism, and simplified the Mass. The order of Lutheran worship today strongly reflects Gregory’s reforms. 

By all accounts Gregory was an effective bishop, but he longed for the contemplative life he had lived before. He wrote: “The contemplative life is to retain with all one’s mind the love of God and neighbor, but to rest from all exterior action, and cleave only to the desire of the Maker.”

Sometimes we get so involved in church busyness that we lose sight of the relationship with God that underlies it all. 

Read Luke 10:41-42 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne