What Went You Out To See?

by St. Gregory the Great

It is the prophet's office to foretell future events, but not necessarily to point them out when they happen. For this reason John was more than a prophet, because he also pointed out Christ, going before him and also showing him to his own disciples. Since he is not a reed shaken by the wind, nor a man clothed in soft garments, since the name of prophet is inadequate to describe him, let us hear what may be affirmed of him. This is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. That which is called angelus in Greek is in Latin called a messenger. Fittingly then is he called an angel who is sent to announce the coming of the heavenly Judge; so that he may be in name what he fulfils in his office.

Would that we say not this to our own damnation, namely, that all who are called priests are also named angels, as the prophet testifies when he says: For the lips of the priest shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth, because he is the angel of the Lord of hosts (Mal. 2:7).

You also, brethren, can attain to the sublimity of this name if you wish, for each one of you, in so far as he is able, can be an angel of the Lord. When, in response to the grace from Heaven, he recalls his neighbour from the doing of evil or helps and encourages him in the practice of good; when he reminds him of the eternal kingdom or of the punishments given to evil-doers; whenever he speaks the word of holiness, then indeed he is an angel. And let no one say, I am not worthy or capable of warning others, nor a fit person to exhort others. Do what you can, lest your single talent be unprofitably employed and thus be required of you with punishment … And when you consider that you have made some little progress, draw others along with you; seeking to make comrades on the road to God. Should one of you stroll to the forum or the baths, he is accustomed to invite a friend whom he thinks is not busy, to keep him company.

This simple act of our ordinary lives is pleasant to you, and should you be going towards God, make sure that you do not journey alone. It is written: He that hears, let him say: Come (Apoc. 22:17); and so let him who has heard in his heart the invitation of divine love, pass on that message to the neighbours around him, together with its invitation. For it is a greater thing to give strength by the nourishment of the word which will fill the mind for ever, rather than to fill with earthly food the flesh which will perish.