Optional Memorial of Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

Brief Background:

St. Gregory of Narek (c. 951–1003) was an Armenian monk, mystic, poet, and theologian who lived at the Monastery of Narek near Lake Van, in what is now modern-day Turkey. He is considered one of the greatest spiritual writers of the Armenian Church. His most famous work, the Book of Lamentations, is a collection of 95 deeply personal prayers that express repentance, sorrow for sin, and profound trust in God’s mercy. For centuries, Armenians have turned to this spiritual masterpiece for healing and consolation, often keeping a copy in their homes as a treasured devotional text.

In 2015, Pope Francis declared him a Doctor of the Church, recognizing the universal depth and beauty of his theology and spirituality. St. Gregory of Narek is regarded as a patron of Armenia and the Armenian people, and he is especially associated with those seeking healing, both spiritual and physical. His life and writings emphasize humility, repentance, and unwavering confidence in God’s compassion.

REFLECTION:

Every parent wants what’s best for their child. Deep down, every mother and father desires that their son or daughter become the best version of themselves. They hope their children will have opportunities they may not have had. They hope they will avoid certain mistakes. They hope they will live fuller, freer lives.

But we also know the reality: not every family story is whole. Some grow up in broken homes. Some grow up surrounded by addiction, anger, or instability. I’ve met people whose father was an alcoholic — and because of that experience, they decided: That will not be my story. The pain became clarity. The wound became direction. They chose differently.

In Ezekiel 18, the people of Israel were struggling with their past. They were in exile, far from home, and they had developed a mindset that said: We are suffering because of our ancestors. Our fathers sinned, and now we are paying for it. In other words, they believed they were trapped by history.

But God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel and says something powerful: If the wicked turn away from sin and do what is right, they shall live. And if the righteous turn away from righteousness and choose injustice, they shall fall.

The message is clear: You are not prisoners of your past. And at the same time, you are not guaranteed by your past either. Your choices today matter.

Yes, we inherit many things — habits, environments, even wounds. But we do not inherit inevitability. The past may shape us, but it does not have to define us.

Sometimes people say, “That’s just how I was raised.” Or, “That’s just how my family is.” Or even, “That’s just who I am.” But this passage reminds us that who you were yesterday does not have to determine who you are becoming today.

God reveals His heart in this chapter. He does not delight in punishment. He does not desire destruction. He desires life. He desires conversion. He desires the turning of the heart. And conversion is not a one-time moment. It is daily.

Each morning we wake up with a decision. Will I repeat the pattern? Or will I break it? Will I pass on the wound? Or will I transform it into wisdom? Will I choose patience instead of anger, forgiveness instead of resentment, discipline instead of indulgence?

You may not be able to change where you came from. But by God’s grace, you can choose where you are going.

Somewhere in the future, someone may look back and say, “That was the moment the cycle changed.” Not because of a dramatic event, but because of quiet, faithful choices made day after day.

Ezekiel reminds us that history is not fixed. The future is not locked. Grace meets us in the present moment.

You are not prisoners of your past. Your choices today matter — for you, for your family, and for the generations that will follow.