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November 10, 2004

St. Leo the Great

(d. 461)

With apparent strong conviction of the importance of the Bishop of Rome in the Church, and of the Church as the ongoing sign of Christ’s presence in the world, Leo the Great displayed endless dedication in his role as pope. Elected in 440, he worked tirelessly as "Peter’s successor," guiding his fellow bishops as "equals in the episcopacy and infirmities."

Leo is known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. His work branched into four main areas, indicative of his notion of the pope’s total responsibility for the flock of Christ. He worked at length to control the heresies of Pelagianism, Manichaeism and others, placing demands on their followers so as to secure true Christian beliefs. A second major area of his concern was doctrinal controversy in the Church in the East, to which he responded with a classic letter setting down the Church’s teaching on the nature of Christ. With strong faith, he also led the defense of Rome against barbarian attack, taking the role of peacemaker.

In these three areas, Leo’s work has been highly regarded. His growth to sainthood has its basis in the spiritual depth with which he approached the pastoral care of his people, which was the fourth focus of his work. He is known for his spiritually profound sermons. An instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and ecclesiastical awareness, Leo had the ability to reach the everyday needs and interests of his people. One of his Christmas sermons is still famous today.

Comment:

At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace and pastoral care. He avoided an "angelism" that tries to live without the body, as well as the "practicality" that deals only in externals.

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	Stress Is No Excuse!
Author:	Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
Date:	Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Titus 3:1-7; Luke 17:11-19

More than a century ago, Cardinal Newman offered the wise judgment that "a gentleman...is one who never inflicts pain." In that one short sentence, he captured the whole point and purpose of the courtesies that we strive to teach our children and to extend to one another. They’re not just a matter of custom and what “nice people do.” Courtesy is the day-to-day embodiment of Jesus’s law of love: We treat one another with respect and deference because we recognize in each other the dignity and the inestimable worth that belong to every child of God.

Living in this world has never been particularly convenient or stress-free. The shapes of the stresses and challenges may change from era to era, but their existence is a constant. The generation just before us never had to face road rage, drive-by shootings, or the back pains and eye strains that come from sitting at a computer too long. But they had their own burdens that had to be faced and that made them feel, as we so often do, just too tired to be gracious.

For followers of Jesus, that cannot be. So the next time a variant of the old “I’m too tired” excuse slithers into your consciousness, send it away — fast. If Jesus could be gracious even as He hung upon the Cross — comforting His mother, St John, and the good thief — we can take a deep breath and find the grace of courtesy within arm’s reach. And there’s a payoff when we do: Giving that tiny gift brings new energy to our tired hearts, and a fresh sense of purpose as well.