🙏Gregory was born in Neocaesarea around the year 213. A disciple of Origen, he became the bishop of his hometown, distinguishing himself by his doctrine and holiness. His fame, however, stems mainly from the numerous and extraordinary miracles he performed, which earned him the epithet "Thaumaturgus" (the Wonder-worker). Compared by Saint Basil to Moses and the Apostles, his intercession moved a mountain that was obstructing the construction of a church, dried up a lake that was a source of discord between brothers, and stopped the flooding of the Lycus River by planting his staff on its bank, which turned into a great tree, serving as a permanent boundary for the waters. Besides casting out demons and converting multitudes to the Christian faith, he possessed the gift of prophecy. As he felt death approaching, he asked how many non-believers still remained in Neocaesarea. Upon being told there were only seventeen, he thanked God, for this was the same number of faithful he had found at the beginning of his episcopate. His writings, like his miracles, continued to enlighten the Church. He died between 270 and 275.
📜Epistle (Ecclus 44:16-27; 45:3-20)
Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him who kept the law of the most High. Therefore by an oath the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in his blessings; he preserved for him his mercy; and he found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood: and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in his name, and to offer him a worthy incense for an odour of sweetness.
💰Gospel (Mt 25:14-23)
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: A man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
🤔Reflections
🌱Today's liturgy presents us with a harmonious synthesis between divine grace and human correspondence, personified in the figure of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus and illustrated by the Parable of the Talents. The Gospel recounts how a master distributes his goods "to every one according to his proper ability," revealing that God's gifts, though diverse, are bestowed with wisdom and purpose. St. Gregory is the living example of the servant who received "five talents"—a sharp intellect, formation under Origen, the charism of holiness, and the extraordinary power to perform miracles. He did not bury them out of fear or laziness but "traded with them," employing every gift for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. His life was a constant spiritual investment, the profit of which was the conversion of nearly an entire city, an eloquent testimony that faithfulness in "a few things"—the stewardship of gifts received—leads to the possession of "many things": the eternal joy of the Lord.
🕊️The Epistle, taken from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, describes the profile of the "great priest" who "pleased God" and became a "reconciliation." This passage not only applies to St. Gregory as a bishop but also deepens the theology of the talents. Gifts are not for self-exaltation but for priestly service, whether ministerial or the common priesthood of the faithful. St. Gregory used his miracles not for his own renown but to "have praise in his name" and "offer a worthy incense," that is, to lead the people to true worship. Saint Augustine, meditating on grace, teaches that all human merit is ultimately a gift from God. He states: "When God crowns our merits, He is doing nothing more than crowning His own gifts" (St. Augustine, Letter 194, 5, 19). Thus, the "other five talents" that the faithful servant presents are not a creation from nothing but the fruit of divine grace that he knew how to cultivate. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterates that "man's merit is due to God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and assistance given by the Holy Spirit" (CCC, 2008). St. Gregory did not move the mountain by his own strength, but by the strength of God working in him.
🌍The central message of today's liturgy is a universal call to spiritual fruitfulness. The parable warns against the paralysis of the servant who, having received one talent, hid it. This act does not represent humility but culpable omission, a refusal to participate in the divine plan of salvation. Every Christian receives talents: the faith of baptism, the sacraments, natural gifts, opportunities for charity. The Roman Missal, in its prayers, often invites us to imitate the virtues of the saints, not to replicate their extraordinary miracles, but to mirror their faithfulness in the ordinary. St. Gregory, with his impressive story, teaches us that the greatest miracle is the transformation of a heart and the building up of the Church. The "joy of thy Lord" is not merely an eschatological promise but a reality that begins to be savored here on earth by those who, like the Thaumaturgus, become "good and faithful servants," multiplying the gifts they have received for the expansion of the Kingdom of God.
🌐See English version of the critical articles here.
f1descatholica.blogspot.com