Homily for 2nd January 2019
_“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” *(1 John 2:22)*_
St. John tell us today that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is not just a liar but an anti-Christ.
One of the ways we deny Christ is by living in a manner that contradicts our beliefs. We deny Christ by refusing to allow his words to govern our thoughts and actions. We deny Christ when we say with our lips that we are Christians but by our life, we do not represent Christ.
John the Baptist in our Gospel passage not only represented Christ by his words, but his actions also proved his belief in Christ. When he was asked by the Levites, “who are you?” he said he was a voice preparing the way for Christ and he was not even worthy to untie his sandals. John the Baptist did not deny Christ either by his words or by his actions; he is truly the opposite of the anti-Christ.
Our mission has Christians like that of John the Baptist is to make Christ known in the world. We are to animate the values that Christ himself stood for, we are to live according to the beatitudes that Christ preached, and according to the higher standards Christ gave to us.
Failure to live out the Gospel values fully amounts to denying Christ and being anti-Christ.
Today also, we celebrate two great saints, Basil and Gregory. Born in Caesarea, Cappadocia (Turkey) in 329, St. Basil followed the monastic way of life. As a powerful preacher, he vigorously fought the Arian heresy. Born in the same year (329), St. Gregory of Nazianzen was a friend of Basil, and also followed the monastic way of life for many years. He became Patriarch of Constantinople and was a great theologian, defending the Catholic faith. These two saints, bishops, outstanding theologians and doctors of the Church, like John the Baptist prepared the way for Lord.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may my life acknowledge you this year. Amen
Happy New Year. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of Christmastide. Bible Study: 1st John 2:22-28, Psalm 98, and John 1:19-28).
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