Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Readings: 1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; John 1:19-28
Summary
“I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ (Jn 1:23)
John the Baptist was called out to prove who he was. John responds I am nothing but a messenger. John’s voice is the voice of love—love that refuses silence when the people are at risk.
A retranslation of verses 26-27 is as follows: John answered them, “I baptize with water and there is one who is coming after me”. The synoptics add “he will baptize you with the holy Spirit”.
Reflection
Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it (Jn 13:16-17).
It is enough to wish to be a good imitator of Christ. Like John the Baptist we use what we have.
- We have a voice (love). Cry out your love!
- We have our water (gifts). Pour out your water!
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 (1 Jn 2:28).
Personal Reflection
From a term paper I wrote at the end of Fall 2008 Semester in Seminary:
Besides the theological error involved (the novel word unbegotten), Basil was concerned with the human proclivity to be both argumentative and the seeking novelty in intellectual matters and inventing one where one does not exist. Why do we engage in such behavior? We must look to our purpose and orientation to discern our actual motives – pride perhaps? ‘The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?’ Jer 17:9.
It is good to learn from John. Voice and water. The rest is commentary.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010226.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry