Our Holy Father Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople.
Polyeleos Feast.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11; John 10:9-16.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Today the Church celebrates the memory of our Father Gregory of Nazianzus, one of only three Fathers to bear the title “Theologian.” St. Gregory was a man of unique and beautiful gifts which he shared liberally with the Church. Although he was promoted through the ranks of leadership within the Holy Orders of the Church, Gregory longed for a secluded life where he could write and pray. Despite this he was called upon, and finally accepted, under duress, to assume the patriarchate of Constantinople and preside over the Second Ecumenical Council. His formulations were essential in defining what Christians believe about the Divinity of the Holy Spirit.
All this to say, brothers and sisters, that the Lord will use your gifts as He sees fit and where He sees fit, if we offer them to Him with an open heart. St. Paul assures us in our epistle today that we cannot all be hands or eyes or ears in the Body of Christ. If an organ in my body decides to rebel against the others I develop cancer. The same can be said of the organs of the Church. Our gifts are given to us by God to be used as He has given and as He calls them forward. Do not feel as though your gift is unimportant or unneeded. Instead focus on opening your heart more and more to be able to give from the depth of your being, and be willing to accept with good grace guidance from the hierarchy of bishops and priests the Lord has established to aid in these decisions.