Quotes: " Much time had I spent in vanity, and had wasted nearly all my youth in the vain labor which I underwent in acquiring the wisdom made foolish by God. Then once upon a time, like a man roused from deep sleep, I turned my eyes to the marvelous light of the truth of the Gospel, and I perceived the uselessness of the "wisdom of the princes of this world, that come to naught" (1 Cor. 2:6) I wept many tears over my miserable life and I prayed that guidance might be vouchsafed me to admit me to the doctrines of true religion". ~Letter of Saint Basil #223 "For nothing seemed to me so desirable as to close the doors of my senses, and, escaping from the flesh and the world, collected within myself…to live superior to visible things, even preserving in myself the divine impressions pure and unmixed with the erring tokens of this lower world"… ~Orationes of Saint Gregory 2:7
Reflection: Saints Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen were among the most devoted defenders of the faith in the fourth century. Both were bishops and both are now saints and doctors of the Church. These two men met while studying in Caesarea Cappadocia and strengthened their tight friendship in Athens. After Basil's death, Gregory wrote of their bond, "We seemed to have one soul, inhabiting two bodies" (Orationes of Saint Gregory 43:20). Both saints came from families of saints. Basil's maternal grandmother was a martyr; his paternal grandmother, his parents, and three of his siblings are also saints. Gregory's father was converted to Catholicism by his wife. After his conversion, he was ordained a priest and then consecrated as Bishop of Nazianzen. He served as bishop for about forty-five years, living into his nineties. These saintly parents had three children, all of whom became saints. View the rest of the saints reflection with audio here... | Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church Lectionary: 205
Reading 1 1 John 2:22-28 Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him. 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. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Alleluia Hebrews 1:1-2 R. Alleluia, alleluia. In times, past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets:
in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel John 1:19-28 This is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
"I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing. | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: 1 John 2:22-28 If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24) In a world eager for something new, it can be easy to lose sight of the gifts we've already received. This isn't a modern phenomenon; some of the very first Christians experienced the same thing two thousand years ago! In today's first reading, for instance, St. John wrote to a group of communities being pulled in many directions by dubious new teachings. Doubt crept in and rifts opened. To answer these challenges, John urged the believers: Hold on to what you heard from the beginning! God loved us so much that he sent his Son to become a man and share in our life. Through his death and resurrection, we have been redeemed. The Holy Spirit lives in you to help you live in his love. God does love to give us new gifts, but he often does it by breathing new life into what he has already given us. The truths that we have known for years and years still have power and life in them. So think back: what was "the beginning" for you (1 John 2:24)? Perhaps you remember the exact moment when something clicked, and you first saw the immense love that God has for you. Or perhaps the beginning was a gradual process, such that you have no single memory of a moment of conversion. What you "heard" was the steady example of parents, the voices of teachers and priests, the familiar rhythm of the sacraments (2:24). However it happened, a seed was planted and took root in you. Try to recall this beginning, and dwell on it. Reflect on what first moved your heart toward God. Name those moments or events, and thank him. Maybe even write down a Bible verse or a prayer that once meant a lot to you and carry it with you this week. Let these memories become like a gift you're rediscovering. At the beginning of a new year, in a rapidly changing world, Jesus' promise is the same as it always was: you can remain in me, held, rooted, secure. There's no need to chase the latest thing. Hold on to the truth that is already alive in your heart! "Jesus, help me to remain in you, the Word spoken from the beginning." Psalm 98:1-4
John 1:19-28 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Audio of 2 Cents | From today's Holy Gospel: "... They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing. ...." Word of the Lord. | Saint John the Baptist was the baptizer of water. That was strange, was it not?
Not totally.
It is believed, by tradition, that he was of the Essene Jews, the ones that were living solely and holy lives to usher in the Messiah. They not only awaited His coming, but were actively praying and doing their part to make it happen in every sense of the word.
A quick search on Essene baptism belief says: "Essenes practiced ritual water immersion (baptism) for purification and initiation into their community, emphasizing sincere repentance and a pure heart, similar to John the Baptist's message and early Christian baptism, though Essene rites were more exclusive, focused on communal purity within their desert sect, contrasting with John's public ministry and Christian inclusion
. Their beliefs linked water rites to covenant and spiritual cleansing, influencing later Jewish and Christian traditions".
Saint John the Baptist broke out and offered repentance to the rest of the world.
Much like our Lord, came not only for Jews, but all gentiles, all those that are not of the flock.
And, He is still doing this today, all over the world. Baptism though, now, is much more, like the Essene, it goes deep into a covenant, not just repentance, but an incorporation, as our Lord has immersed Himself in the waters of Baptism, He now makes it anew into Himself, and thus, we are immersed into His death, burial, and resurrection.
They asked Saint Pope John Paul II, what was his greatest achievement and he immediately answered "my baptism". It is the greatest gift we can do, and offer. A life eternal.
Saint John the Baptist said that the one coming after him was going to baptize with fire.
Indeed. Now, as Catholics, we believe that we are baptized with water to be incorporated, but, we are also baptized with the Holy Spirit...the very fire of God.
But what happens when the fire goes out? How does it go out? How do lights turn off? Our Lord wants us to be ever vigilant, with oil in our lamps ready to burn for Him at the time of His arrival.
When He arrives, your light will be lit by His light. Fruit waiting to be offered to God our Father. Eternal fruit, eternal light. If we only knew how to offer fruit. Fruit of suffering. Fruit of humility. Fruit of good will. Fruit of obedience. Fruit of love, a sacrificial love that seeks nothing for self, but to will the good of the other...and thus...to will the good of God.
How atrocious it is to sin, to offend God.
But how beautiful it is, to amaze God.
To say "I Love You" through thick and thin.
We are well off into the year..with our Lord, and I pray for grace and strength, to know His call, to love Him more...and to fulfill His every desire. |  Click for Audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." . . . . . . . . Word of the Lord! | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
