Reading for the day
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Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
Scripture Readings
Ever been somewhere where you did not know many people? Perhaps, you were at party, or standing in line at the grocery store. You may have looked around and known almost no one. A conversation with someone standing nearby can often make the time go more smoothly. Those conversations are often responses to questions that could sum up as, “Who are you?” Many times the questions asked are “Where are you from?” Or “what do you do?” Can you imagine if the question asked probed to the core of your being?
The readings today from John ask questions that seek to explore and challenge the depth of our faith. Do the lives we lead at home, work and play consistently reflect the love of the Lord? If people looked at what we said and what we did, would they get a clear answer that we are Christians? Or might our life seem to deny Christ?
St. Basil and St. Gregory lived at time when a heresy called “Arianism” was at its’ height. This heresy denied the divinity of Jesus. Arianism was inconsistent with Christianity. Basil and Gregory spent most of their lives pointing to the real Christ and calling the people of God to return to their true faith. It is fitting then during this Christmas season that the Church chooses readings, prophets and feasts that point to the incarnate Christ.
In the gospel, John the Baptist points us toward the one who will save us. This savior, whose birth we continue to celebrate, is Jesus. Jesus is the one who was, the one who is, and the one who is to come. Like Basil, Gregory and John the Baptist, we are called to confess Christ with our whole heart, mind, and soul; so that our lives direct others to Christ.
"Lord, we thank you for the example of Basil and Gregory who stayed firm in their faith even though it cost them dearly at times. Help us answer the question “Who are You?” by reflecting the joy and love of Jesus to all we meet. Amen!"
-Michael Montgomery
Source: Daily Reflections