Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops
and Doctors of the Church
Lectionary: 205
Lectionary: 205
Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving
power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In times past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets:
in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In times past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets:
in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the
testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’
as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’
as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
Meditation:
Christ stands among you
Do you recognize the presence of the Lord Jesus in your life?
John the Baptist did such a great job of stirring the peoples' expectation of
the Messiah's arrival, that many thought he might be the Messiah himself, or at
least the great prophet Elijah who was expected to reappear at the Messiah's
coming (see Malachi 4:5, Deuteronomy 18:15). John had no mistaken identity. In
all humility and sincerity he said he was only a voice bidding people to
prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah King.
John points to the Redeemer who comes to save
us from sin and death
John the Baptist bridges the Old and New Testaments. He is the last of the Old Testament Prophets who points the way to the Messiah. He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs. He is the herald who prepares the way for Jesus and who announces his mission to the people: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! John saw from a distance what the Messiah came to accomplish - our redemption from slavery to sin and our adoption as sons and daughters of God, our heavenly Father. Do you recognize your identity as an adopted child of God and a citizen of God's heavenly kingdom?
John the Baptist bridges the Old and New Testaments. He is the last of the Old Testament Prophets who points the way to the Messiah. He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs. He is the herald who prepares the way for Jesus and who announces his mission to the people: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! John saw from a distance what the Messiah came to accomplish - our redemption from slavery to sin and our adoption as sons and daughters of God, our heavenly Father. Do you recognize your identity as an adopted child of God and a citizen of God's heavenly kingdom?
John was the greatest of the prophets, yet he lived as a humble
and faithful servant of God. He pointed others to Jesus, the Messiah and Savior
of the world. The Christian church from the earliest of times has given John
many titles which signify his prophetic mission: Witness of the Lord,
Trumpet of Heaven, Herald of Christ, Voice of the Word, Precursor of Truth,
Friend of the Bridegroom, Crown of the Prophets, Forerunner of the Redeemer,
Preparer of Salvation, Light of the Martyrs, and Servant of the Word. Do
you point others to Jesus Christ by the testimony of your witness and example?
The Lord reveals his presence to us through
the Holy Spirit
Luke tells us that when the presence of the Lord Jesus was revealed to Mary (Luke 1:35), and to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:41), and to John the Baptist in the womb of his mother (Luke 1:15,41), and to Zechariah, John's father (Luke 2:67) - they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the presence of the Lord Jesus who comes to dwell within us. Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to renew in you the gifts of faith, hope, and love, and the boldness and courage to point others to the presence and power of the Lord Jesus.
Luke tells us that when the presence of the Lord Jesus was revealed to Mary (Luke 1:35), and to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:41), and to John the Baptist in the womb of his mother (Luke 1:15,41), and to Zechariah, John's father (Luke 2:67) - they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the presence of the Lord Jesus who comes to dwell within us. Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to renew in you the gifts of faith, hope, and love, and the boldness and courage to point others to the presence and power of the Lord Jesus.
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and make me a
herald of your word of truth and grace. Fill me with the joy of the Gospel that
I may eagerly point others to you as John did through his life and
testimony."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: John
points to the Redeemer, by Gregory the Great (540-604 AD)
"John did not baptize with the Spirit but with water, since
he was unable to take away the sins of those being baptized. He washed their
bodies with water but not their hearts with pardon. Why did one whose baptism
did not forgive sins baptize, except that he was observing his vocation as
forerunner? He whose birth foreshadowed greater birth, by his baptizing
foreshadowed the Lord who would truly baptize. He whose preaching made him the
forerunner of Christ, by baptizing also became his forerunner, using a symbol
of the future sacrament. With these other mysteries he makes known the mystery
of our Redeemer, declaring that he has stood among people and not been known.
The Lord appeared in a human body: he came as God in flesh, visible in his
body, invisible in his majesty." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL
HOMILIES 4)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2,
JOHN 1:19-28
(1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98)
(1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, `Make straight the way of the Lord'" (v 23).
TO KNOW: John the Baptist was a prophet sent by God to announce the coming of the Messiah. John declared who he was by stating who he was not. He was not the Messiah; neither was he the prophet Elijah who was expected to precede the coming of the Messiah. John was a "voice" preparing the way of the Lord, but he was not the "Word," who is Jesus, God's Son (Jn 1:14). John was a "lamp" that illuminated the pathway to Christ, but he was not the "true light" that was to come into the world (6:33-35). John declared that he was not worthy to untie the straps of Jesus' sandals, the menial work of slaves. When John was asked why he baptized with water, he said that his baptism was only a preparation for one who was already in their midst whom they did not recognize. John's function was to prepare the way for one who would baptize with the fire of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
TO LOVE: In what ways do I give evidence of the Lord in my life?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of your presence in all those I encounter.
Memorial of Basil the
Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church
Basil's mother, father, and four of his nine siblings were canonized, including St. Gregory of Nyssa. Basil studied in Constantinople and Athens with his friend Gregory of Nazianzen. He ran a school of oratory and law in Caesarea and was so successful and sought after as a speaker, he was tempted by pride. Fearful that it would overtake his piety, he sold all that he had, gave away the money, and became a priest and monk. Basil founded monasteries and drew up rules for monks living in the desert. He is considered as key to the founding of eastern monasticism just as Benedict was to the west. Basil was the Bishop and Archbishop of Caesarea. He is a Greek Doctor of the Church, and Father of the Church.
Saturday 2 January, 2016
at 2nd.
Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. 1 John 2:22-28. All the ends of the
earth have seen the saving power of God—Ps 97(98):1-4. John 1:19-28.
‘I am the
voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the
Lord”.’
The
saints remembered today were early Fathers of the Church, paving the
theological path forward for Christianity. Much earlier still, John the
baptiser cried out in the wilderness, preparing the way for Christ. John the
Baptist set the template for courage, humility and foresight, while Saints
Basil and Gregory in their roles were strong leaders and thinkers of the early
Church. How do I, with my gifts and in my circumstances, make way for Christ
today? Am I a prophet who speaks and act for those in need? Christ in the
displaced peoples, the suffering poor and the hurting world, may I have the
strength to answer your call.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Fighting Temptation
|
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your
strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you
may be able to endure it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
January
2
St. Basil the Great
(329-379)
St. Basil the Great
(329-379)
Basil was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he
decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various
modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in
Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what St. Benedict is to the West, and
Basil's principles influence Eastern monasticism today.
He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea
(now southeastern Turkey), and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite
of opposition from some of the bishops under him, probably because they
foresaw coming reforms.
One of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church,
Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor
Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain
silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens
backed down. But trouble remained. When the great St. Athanasius (May 2) died,
the mantle of defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove
mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny
and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused
of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. “For my
sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything.”
He was tireless in pastoral care. He preached twice a day to
huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world (as a youth
he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself) and fought
the prostitution business.
Basil was best known as an orator. Though not recognized greatly
in his lifetime, his writings rightly place him among the great teachers of the
Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described
him as “the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the
whole earth.”
Comment:
As the French say, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Basil faced the same problems as modern Christians. Sainthood meant trying to preserve the spirit of Christ in such perplexing and painful problems as reform, organization, fighting for the poor, maintaining balance and peace in misunderstanding.
As the French say, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Basil faced the same problems as modern Christians. Sainthood meant trying to preserve the spirit of Christ in such perplexing and painful problems as reform, organization, fighting for the poor, maintaining balance and peace in misunderstanding.
Quote:
St. Basil said: “The bread which you do not use is the bread of
the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is
naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot;
the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of
charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”
Patron Saint of:
Russia
Russia
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 1,19-28
Lectio:
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Christmas Time
1) Opening prayer
All-powerful Father,
you sent your Son Jesus Christ
to bring the new light of salvation to the world.
May he enlighten us with his radiance,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
you sent your Son Jesus Christ
to bring the new light of salvation to the world.
May he enlighten us with his radiance,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - John 1,19-28
This was the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests
and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?'
He declared, he did not deny but declared, 'I am not the
Christ.' So they asked, 'Then are you Elijah?' He replied, 'I am not.' 'Are you
the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.' So they said to him, 'Who are you? We must
take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?'
So he said, 'I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries in the
desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!' Now those who had
been sent were Pharisees, and they put this question to him, 'Why are you
baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?'
John answered them, 'I baptise with water; but standing among
you - unknown to you - is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to
undo the strap of his sandal.' This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the
Jordan, where John was baptising.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel speaks about the witness of John the Baptist.
The Jews sent “priests and Levites” to question him. In the same way, some
years later, they sent persons to control the activity of Jesus (Mk 3, 22).
There is a very great resemblance between the responses of the people regarding
Jesus and the questions which the authority addresses to John. Jesus asks the
Disciples: Whom do people say that I am?” They answered: “Elijah, John the
Baptist, Jeremiah, one of the Prophets” (cf. Mk 8, 27-28). The authority
address the same questions to Jesus: Are you the Messiah, or Elijah, the
Prophet?” John responds by quoting the Prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice of one who
cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord”. The other three Gospels
contain the same affirmation concerning John: he is not the Messiah, but he has
come to prepare the coming of the Messiah (cf. Mk 1, 3; Mt 3,3; Lk 3, 4). The
four Gospels give great attention to the activity and the witness of John the
Baptist. Which is the reason that they insist so much in saying that John is
not the Messiah?
• John the Baptist was put to death by Herod around the year 30.
But up to the end of the first century, the time when the Fourth Gospel was
written, John continued to be considered a leader among the Jews. And also
after his death, the souvenir of John continued to have a strong influence in
the living out of the faith of the people. He was considered a prophet (Mk
11,32). He was the first great prophet who appeared after centuries of the
absence of prophets. Many considered him as the Messiah. When in the year 50,
Paul passed through Ephesus, in Asia Minor, he found a group of persons who had
been baptized with the baptism of John (cf. Acts 19, 1-4). Because of this, it
was important to spread the witness of John the Baptist himself saying that he
was not the Messiah and instead to indicate Jesus as the Messiah. And thus,
John himself contributed to radiate better the Good News of Jesus.
• “How is it that you baptize if you are neither the Messiah,
nor Elijah, nor the prophet? The response of John is another affirmation with
which he indicates that Jesus is the Messiah: “ I baptize with water, but
standing among you, unknown to you, is one who is coming after me; and I am not
fit to undo the strap of his sandal”. And a bit ahead (Jn 1, 33), John refers
to the prophecies which announced the effusion of the Spirit in the Messianic
times: “The one on whom you will see the Spirit descend and rest upon him, is
the one who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit” (cf. Is 11, 1-9; Ez 36, 25-27;
Joel 3, 1-2).
4) Personal questions
• In your life have you had a John Baptist who has prepared the
way in you to receive Jesus?
• John was humble. He did not try to make himself greater than
what he was. In reality: Have you been a Baptist for someone?
5) Concluding prayer
The whole wide world
has seen the saving power of our God.
Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy! (Ps 98,3-4)
has seen the saving power of our God.
Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy! (Ps 98,3-4)
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