St. Gregory the Great: Servant of the Servants of God
Br. Lucas Hall
Gregory was a man from the city of Rome, living in the 500s. The Western Roman Empire had collapsed a century before, but the Eastern half was resurgent, and had reconquered Rome and large parts of the Italian peninsula from the Germanic kingdoms. Shortly after his birth, a plague ravaged the Mediterranean world, adding to the chaos. This political, military, and cultural situation was delicate, and could rapidly shift. Gregory was born to a wealthy, influential family; many members became clergy or monastics, and a recent ancestor of his had even been the Bishop of Rome.
Gregory was devoted to a life of contemplative prayer, and converted his family villa into a monastic house. However, he was repeatedly called away from the contemplative life by the needs of ministry. First, the Bishop of Rome called upon him to be his representative to the Emperor in Constantinople. Gregory was not particularly diplomatic or politically-minded, getting into a number of theological disputes while there. However, this gained him a reputation as a pastor to the people of the imperial court, and he became popular as a spiritual teacher and guide.
He was eventually recalled to Rome, and there he was made Bishop. Early on, he lamented this life, longing for the prayer of the monastery. But he took it upon himself to exercise his authority well, and to the benefit of the people he served. Gregory regularly referred to his role as “servant of the servants of God.” He marshalled his resources to set up a system of charity to the poor and needy. There were many impoverished people under his care, due to the constant warfare and famine across the Italian peninsula, and his organization aided them greatly. He understood this devotion to charitable giving as an extension of his monastic vow of poverty, a vow he took particularly seriously.
Gregory regularly referred to his role as “servant of the servants of God.”
Gregory was also devoted to the spread of the Gospel and the reform of the Church; he initiated missionary work in Britain to the then-pagan Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and was responsible for a number of liturgical reforms that brought together different church practices. Gregory had a great gift for ordering and administrating communal life far and wide, and this was most welcome at a time of severe instability, insecurity, and violence.
Gregory exhibited typically monastic virtues in the world. In his obedience, he accepted work that took him away from his deep love for contemplative prayer, and in his poverty, he flung himself into care for the poor. This death to self, this willingness to repeatedly put the needs of others above his preferences, was a path of life for those around him and the Church as a whole. With the world seeming to burn around him, he offered refuge and peace to a great many who would otherwise have been lost, helping bring them out of death into life.
Questions for Reflection
Gregory embodied monastic virtues despite living his life outside monastery walls, particularly in his obedience and poverty.
What monastic virtues do you feel drawn to cultivate in your own life?
How can these virtues guide you in your work and relationships?
Gregory lived through a time of political, military, and cultural instability.
Where do you find strength in your faith during times of personal or societal crises?
What practices help you to remain grounded in hope and peace amidst chaos and uncertainty?
