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.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4
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.
Alleluia HEB 1:1-2
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.
GospelJN 1:19-28
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)
MONDAY, 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
Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the
Church
Basil's mother, father, and four of his nine siblings were canonized, including Saint 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 the key founder of eastern monasticism just as St. 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.
Gregory was a fellow student of St. Basil the Great, and a monk at Basil's desert monastery. Gregory was a reluctant priest, feeling himself unworthy, and feared that the responsibility would test his faith. With his bishop father he opposed Arianism, and brought its heretical followers back to the fold. Gregory was Bishop of Caesarea in c.370, which put him in conflict with the Arian emperor Valens. The disputes led his friend Basil, then archbishop, to reassign him to a small, out of the way post at the edge of the archbishopric. Gregory was the Bishop of Constantinople 381-390 following the death of Valens. When it seemed that the faith had been restored in the city, Gregory retired to live the rest of his days as a hermit. Gregory is a Father and Doctor of the Church.
NOTE: Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
Monday 2 January
Mon 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.
Readings
'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness.'
John the Baptist sets the scene for Jesus as Messiah. Some representations in art and film depict John as a semi-mad, semi-clad hermit, with wild eyes and matted hair. Yet however he looked or lived, his message for his interrogators was clear, articulate and unflinching.
Christ re-enters our lives through encounters with both the mundane and the extraordinary. How do we anticipate this? Are we willing to straighten the path to Christ, to be a fearless witness like John? To see Christ at work in others today, particularly amongst the poor and marginalised? When have we answered challenging questions or responded to hostility with clarity and courage? May we be resilient in times of trouble so that our voices sing strongly and joyfully in 'the wilderness'.
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.
Readings
'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness.'
John the Baptist sets the scene for Jesus as Messiah. Some representations in art and film depict John as a semi-mad, semi-clad hermit, with wild eyes and matted hair. Yet however he looked or lived, his message for his interrogators was clear, articulate and unflinching.
Christ re-enters our lives through encounters with both the mundane and the extraordinary. How do we anticipate this? Are we willing to straighten the path to Christ, to be a fearless witness like John? To see Christ at work in others today, particularly amongst the poor and marginalised? When have we answered challenging questions or responded to hostility with clarity and courage? May we be resilient in times of trouble so that our voices sing strongly and joyfully in 'the wilderness'.
ST. BASIL THE GREAT
St. Basil, one of the most distinguished Doctors of the Church
and Bishop of Caesarea, was likely born in 329 and died on January 1, 379.
He ranks after Athanasius as a defender of the Oriental
Church against the heresies of the fourth century, especially Aryanism, which
denied the divine nature of Jesus Christ. With his friend Gregory of
Nazianzus and his brother Gregory of Nyssa, he is part of the trio known as
"The Three Cappadocians," of which he was the most important in
practical genius and theological writings.
Basil resisted the pressure from Emperor Valens, an Arian
himself, who wanted to keep him in silence and admit the heretics to
communion. No wonder, when the great St. Athanasius died, the
responsibility of being the defender of the faith against Aryanism fell upon
Basil.
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.”
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 1,19-28
Lectio Divina:
Monday, January 2, 2017
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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