It’s fitting that we remember and pray to both Saint Basil and Saint Gregory today, for they were close friends. Together they fought against a heresy called Arianism, which sought to deny the full divinity of Jesus.
Gregory, though he was shy by nature, became a great preacher, and Basil was known for promoting the idea of living simply and caring for the poor and the dying.
Jesus' True Identity
As I thought about how these holy friends fought to lead people to the truth of Jesus’ identity, I was reminded of a young father I spoke to recently, who said that he wanted to make sure that his family knew and loved Jesus.
In order for any of us to help others to know Jesus, we first need to know Him ourselves.
John the Baptist knew Jesus from the time Mary visited his mother, Elizabeth. And like John, Saints Basil and Gregory prepared the way of the Lord for others through their prayer, fasting, study of the Word of God, and apostolic works.
John the Baptist had repeated questions about his identity. People were looking for the Savior and thought it might be him. John’s answers almost seem cryptic in nature, but to the people of his time, his answer, “I am the voice of the one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” would have resonated with Isaiah’s prophecy.
How are we being called to prepare the way of the Lord for our families and friends? What are some of the ways that we can help our loved ones to remove ways of thinking or acting that are getting in the way of God’s love for them?
Knowing and Loving Jesus
As we think and pray about how we are called to be like John the Baptist and Saints Gregory and Basil, in knowing and loving Jesus, we can resolve to know God well enough to have the certitude of these holy men. To be able to answer questions and to speak with care and clarity as brothers and sisters of Christ.
May God bless you and your families this holy day. Saints Gregory and Basil, pray for us!
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
