Homily: Feast of Pope Leo the Great

Feast of Pope Leo the Great (Lk. 17:20-25) “A Great Leader”

Pope Leo (440-461) was one of only two Popes who were labeled “great.” The other was Pope Gregory the Great who lived centuries later. Pope Leo’s story was like the story of several other Saints in the early church. He was elected Pope in rather strange circumstances.

As a young man. He was an advisor to Pope Celestine and Sixtus III. While he was away on a diplomatic mission, he was elected Pope. He was only a Deacon at the time. He obviously was held in high regard and thought to be very capable, so he was elected.

There were many tensions in the church at the time. Arguments were taking place on the place of the Bishop of Rome in the governance of the church. Pope Leo was the first person to claim to be the successor of Peter which would have given him primacy over the other Bishops. Many did not want to recognize him as superior to themselves. This was especially the case with the Bishops who lived and ministered in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire.

Pope Leo lived in a time when there were many arguments over the mystery of the Incarnation. Some Theologians argued that Jesus was only a good man. Other’s said Jesus was God in a human disguise. Leo maintained that Jesus was both God and man and that Jesus’ two natures were hypostatically united. His view won out at the Council of Chalcedon.

Pope Leo, as Bishop of Rome, also had civil authority and kept the city functioning as the empire was falling apart. He is most famous for his confrontation with Attila the Hun. When Attila was coming south Leo persuaded him to withdraw beyond the Danube. When the Vandals were at the city gates of Rome, Leo stopped them from torching the city.

Leo truly lived in difficult times. He tried to negotiate these troubled waters. He remained faithful to his flock. He was a good shepherd who did not flee in times of crisis.

1.    What does Pope Leo’s life story try to teach us? Have I ever taken on heavy responsibilities that tested me severely?

2.    Should religious leaders try get involved in secular matters? What should their role be?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Pope Leo’s feast reminds us that leadership is needed as we move through difficult times. We have just had the midterm elections and for me it is always hard to try to vote for leaders who I just know through sound bites and advertisements. I imagine it is hard for all of us.

          One thing I look for in a leader is someone who sticks to their job when they could easily quit because things are too difficult. We see many political leaders who resign from office or refuse to run again when they feel that they won’t retain their office.

          Pope Leo led the church through very difficult times. He believed he had a vocation, a call from God. It would be a better world if more people had a sense that they were called by God to the task they have received in life.

          May the Immaculate Conception pray for our country as we process the election results.

          Fr. Mark