reflection of his society that was infected with many social, cultural, and economic maladies. Since the barrier between the church and the society within which it exists is necessarily semipermeable, like the walls of a cell, it is not terribly surprising that the church was in desperate need of reform. Factors that influence society also influence the church; and the church, like a white blood cell, releases its healing message into society. Gregory’s favorite way of understanding the role of the