Friday, January 2, 2009

Homily – January 2, 2009 –St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory Nanzianzen

Today we celebrate the feast of two great eastern Bishops and Doctors of the Church: Basil the Great and Gregory Nanzianzen. Basil was born in 330 at Caesarea in Cappadocia. He was leaned and virtuous and for a time became a hermit. Later he fought against the Arians and wrote many admirable works, especially his monastic rule which many Eastern Monks still follow today. He died on January 1, 379.

Gregory was also born in 330. Traveling as a youth he joined his friend Basil as a hermit and was later ordained priest and bishop of Constantinople. But he soon returned to Nanzianzen because of the factions dividing the Church in Constantinople. He died on January 25, 389. He was called theologus because of his outstanding teaching and eloquency!

The first reading today from the letter of St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians tells of the virtues of a good shepherd and bishop: humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, desire for unity and peace – all in an effort to build up the Body of Christ.

The gospel passage reiterates the humility necessary for one holding such a high and sacred office of bishop! The higher one is in ranking the more deeply he must submerge himself in the cellar of humility! The stairway that leads the heights of spiritual success leads downwards to the basement floor!

We have but one Father, the one in heaven; and one master, the Christ both on earth (in the Church) and in heaven! All our efforts must be directed to their glory!

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