Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor
Wednesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time
First reading Colossians 1:1-8
Saint Paul opens his letter to the Colossians with gratitude, rejoicing in their faith and love, and in the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. His words remind us that another’s faith is not just their blessing but also our reason for joy, because faith always bears fruit beyond the individual, it strengthens the whole Body of Christ. To give thanks for the witness of others is to recognize that God’s grace is alive and working in ways far larger than our own experience. On this feast of Saint Gregory the Great, we see this truth lived out: his pastoral wisdom, humility, and missionary zeal helped the Gospel take root in distant lands and shaped the life of the Church for centuries. The Good News is still spreading, not only geographically but also into hearts, cultures, and communities, and we are called to rejoice whenever Christ is made known. Gratitude for the faith of others transforms jealousy or indifference into celebration, and keeps our hearts open to the great mystery of God’s work in the world. Let’s reflect: Do I give thanks and rejoice in the faith and witness of others, seeing in them the work of God’s grace and the ongoing spread of the Gospel, or do I focus only on my own journey?
Don Giorgio