Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples:
“Do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 2, 2019
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen - Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Listen to the Audio Version
“You have but one Father in heaven.” These words in today’s Gospel recall words of Jesus earlier in the Gospel of Matthew, “No one can serve two masters.” Yes, Lord, but how do we serve the Father in heaven whom we cannot see? Jesus answers the question by going on to say, “You have but one instructor, the Messiah,” that is he, Christ himself. Christ is the incarnation of God, he makes God tangible and visible to us. We can imagine him at our side as a brother, and we can serve him present in our brothers and sisters. By humbling ourselves to serve others, we fulfill his command to serve our Father in heaven.
What awaits those who serve God as their Father and Master? Saint Basil, whom we commemorate today, says that the Holy Spirit comes to them bringing gifts of “heavenly citizenship, a place in the chorus of angels, joy without end, abiding in God, the being made like to God, and, highest of all, the being made God.” This is the astonishing message of Christmas: God became man so that man might become God. When we take the attitude of a servant, we are raised up to the divine level.
Our task is humbly to receive this gift, allowing the risen Lord Jesus to make us more and more like himself each day. In the coming year may our daily prayer be that of Christ’s holy Mother, “Be it done unto me according to your word.”
Prayer
Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.
Dear Lord, today, you talk about being with people who put on airs, who think themselves more important or more knowledgeable than they really are. Oh, how we want to puncture them with a few well-chosen words! Yet in reality they may be the most frightened and lonely people around. Help us to serve them, to ease or grow out of their fear instead of condemning them.
Saint of the Day
Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
Sts. Basil and Gregory were childhood friends who both came from saintly families. They grew up to defend the Trinity and Jesus’ divinity at a crucial time in the development of the Church’s understanding of these mysteries.
Basil was born in 330 as one of 10 children to a noble family in what is now Turkey. Both of his parents were saints (St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia) and four of his siblings became saints as well. Even his grandmother was a saint!
As a young man, Basil was known for organizing food relief for those suffering from famine, and would even set aside his rank to work in the kitchen. He was well-educated, and he opened a school and practiced as a lawyer. He became famous for his rhetorical skills but was tempted by pride because of the attention his orations drew. He responded by selling all he owned to become a priest and monk.
He founded a monastery and wrote down instructions on community life, which have become famous and especially important in guiding religious communities in the east. He continued to found monasteries and was ordained bishop of Caesarea (in modern Israel) in 370, where he led for seven years until his death. He was very active in his leadership and was known for his eloquence, wisdom, and sincere love of others.
From his youth, Basil was friends with Gregory of Nazianzus, another brilliant thinker and orator. Gregory also had saintly parents (St. Gregory the Elder and St. Nonna), and two of his siblings also became saints.
Gregory followed a similar career path as Basil—he was ordained a priest, even though he yearned for the life of a monk. He was ordained a bishop by his friend, Basil, and made important contributions in the way the Church understands God, especially the mystery of the Trinity.
Basil and Gregory were defining figures as the early Church sought to figure out just how to describe Jesus as fully human and fully divine. They helped the Church articulate this mystery and refute persistent strains of thought that would emphasize one aspect of Jesus’ nature over another. Both were largely responsible for safeguarding the faith that has guided the Church for hundreds of years. Their doctrinal contributions are codified in the Nicene Creed we recite at Mass.
Both Basil and Gregory were declared doctors of the Church, a title given to 38 saints who are known for elucidating the faith by their words or example. Their relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and their images are captured in stained glass windows there.
Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, friends and scholars who defended the faith—pray for us!