January 2 2019 - Sts Basil and Gregory Nazianzen - Faithful to what was from the beginning

Throughout the Christmas season we read from the first letter of St. John. Though the letter itself never mentions its author, ancient authorities like Irenaeus, Clement, Origin, and Tertullian were substantially unanimous in ascribing its authorship to the Apostle John, the Beloved Disciple. The parallel themes and linguistic style of this letter and John’s Gospel adds further weight to this claim, particularly I John’s treatment of light and darkness, life and truth. Read during the Christmas season, I John helps us to understand the identity of the One born on Christmas—the Word of Life who has taken flesh and made visible the invisible God that we may have fellowship with the Father.

John wrote this letter to that early group of Christians, probably near Ephesus wear John lived with the Blessed Mother—Christians who were already experiencing division, a worrisome loss of enthusiasm for the Gospel, disregard for the moral teachings of Jesus, and Christians who were leaving the Communion of the Church and were beginning to deny authentic apostolic teaching—sound familiar? These are problems that have afflicted every generation.

And John writes to the remnant, as we heard today: “Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.” He’s speaking of the Gospel: that Jesus is God, that Jesus is the Christ, that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and “no one comes to the Father except through Him.” It is only through the one born on Christmas, that we receive the promise of eternal life, as is so beautifully inscripted on the archway of our sanctuary here at St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Today, we honor two saints, doctors of the Church, Bishops Basil and Gregory Nazianzen who, like John, addressed Christians who were deviating from apostolic truth: the Arians—who denied that Jesus was consubstantial with the Father. Basil and Gregory are perennially important, particularly to Christians in the 21st century, that we ensure that we remain faithful to what was preached “in the beginning”—to Apostolic Tradition, Apostolic Truth.

21st century Christianity, and Christianity of every age has to confront new issues, new questions that are not explicitly addressed in Scripture. Yet we see in Catholicism a continuity not found in other Christian denominations, a continuity with what has been received from Jesus Christ from the beginning, passed on to the apostles, expounded upon by the doctors of the Church, protected by the Popes and the Magisterium, that we may have eternal life for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That the witness of the Church may help all nations come to believe in the Lordship of Jesus, and that our Bishops and Priests might have the courage to proclaim the truth amidst the errors of the world.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the healing of families divided by sin and selfishness, for a strengthening of all marriages, and that young people may be formed to have deep and authentic faith.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness, addiction, or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord