Saints Basil and Gregory Nazianzen (Memorial)
1 John 2: 22-28 John 1: 19-28
Theme: Abide in him
Today the church celebrates the memorial of Saint Basil the Great and saint Gregory of Nazianzen, both were Doctors and Bishops of the church. These were great men, who defended the faith in the 4th century. They willingly gave everything to defend their faith in God and continued to propagate the good news in their daily lives and in their writings. Their lives reflect what it truly means to abide in God, as presented to us today by St. John in the 1st reading. We are all encouraged to make honest and sincere effort to abide in God in all that we do in our daily lives. To abide in God, simply means we have opted to be true witnesses of Christ in our daily lives. By so doing, we are already preparing ourselves for the kingdom of God and helping others who encounter us to also make their way to heaven.
Each time we celebrate the saints in the church, it presents us an opportunity to know that they were not saints from the very beginning of their lives. Some of them encountered God in their lives after straying away from God, and today we celebrate them as saints. This should always strengthen our resolve to become saints ourselves, because one can decide to make that important change in his or her life to embrace the invitation of Christ and become a true ambassador for Christ, by witnessing with their life. We all can become saints, if only we can make up our minds to let go and let God. He is always there to support us, whenever we decide to cooperate with his grace and begin to live a life that is good and pleasing to God.
Just like the saints whose memorial we celebrate today. God never rejects anyone who decide to retrace his or her steps to return to the right path, he will welcome you and continue to support you with his grace. It is left for you as a person to make that important decision today in your life, especially as we begin the new year. One thing that should always strengthen you in this journey is the fact that with faith, hard work, and perseverance, you will become a better version of yourself. Decide to become a better person as we begin this new year. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.