|
Morning Devotion for the Season of Lent
March 12, 2026
Gregory the Great
Reading: Mark 10:42-45
So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
Gregory and Leo are the only two popes given the title of “the Great” having served during a time characterized by barbarian invasions and a famine and epidemics that plagued Rome. Pope Gregory was born around 540 to a family of political influence. Serving briefly as Prefect of Rome, he resigned this office in order to live as a monk. Later, in 579 he became representative of the Pope to the Patriarch of Constantinople. Shortly thereafter the Pope died and in 590 Gregory was elected Pope. He also assumed the office of governor of central Italy largely by default. At the time of the invasion of the Lombards, Leo organized Rome’s defense and the eventual signing of the treaty with them.
Leo exerted enormous influence on the forms of public worship throughout Western Europe. He founded a school for the training of church musicians. Gregorian chant (plainchant) is named for him. His passion for organization found its expression in developing a Sunday schedule of Scripture readings for the various Sundays of the year, together with accompanying prayers (many of them written by him.) These were employed throughout most of Western Christendom for the next thirteen centuries. His treatise. His sermons are still readable today. He is accounted (along with Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine of Hippo) as one of the Four Latin Doctors of the ancient Church
What is not made clear in the brief biographical material presented is how Gregory came to receive the honorarium “Great.” No wonder this passage from Mark was selected for his feast day. Prior to this pericope James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask Jesus to be seated next to him “in glory..” Mark’s Gospel presents the apostles as both models of discipleship and as flawed people. Consider For example, consider Peter, who continuously misunderstands Jesus as the Messiah. It is Peter’s rebuke that triggers Jesus to lay out the theological dimensions of discipleship, which essentially consists of following Jesus to the cross. Such teachings, however, fail. At the peak of the Gospel, Mark is explicit about Peter failing to follow his teacher to the cross.. In the end, Jesus stands by himself, abandoned by Peter and the rest of the disciples.
The cross is the defining criterion for following Jesus. And yet, Jesus pointedly questions his disciples in asking, “are you able to take my cup? The disciples muster a bold response that Jesus does not disavow. He does, however, note that: “it is not for me to give but to those for whom it has been made ready.” This suggests to a certain extent that this authority to take Jesus’ cup rests with God. And yet, the call to discipleship includes a call to experience torture, pain and trauma. Not many can endure this. One wonders, if in fact, Gregory was mindful of this during his life. And what of us? What did we contemplate when we accepted the call?
I suppose I have some grace since I was an infant when baptized, but certainly was a mature adult when I was ordained. Yet, as I age and grow (I hope) in maturity I become more confident that if tested to the nth degree in my own discipleship that God would strengthen me. This does not mean that I am entirely free of doubt on that point, but I recognize that and allow for the possibility that in that critical moment, God will come to my aid. I may not be completely composed, but I hope to be faithful and trusting, nonetheless. Am I totally confident that I will consistently and faithfully respond. No, but I am hopeful. And I am heartened and comforted to know that there is something else that awaits me that is truly for me..
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
| 
