Homily
for Thursday 2nd January 2020. Read 1st John 2:22-28,
Psalm 98, and John 1:19-28.
_“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 only a liar but an antichrist as
well. How do we deny Jesus Christ? A married man was asking a lady out in
church while the service was still ongoing and his wife was sitting just right
beside him. In shock, the lady asked him, “Don’t you fear God?” He responded by
saying: “Forget that thing.” Even though he had just recited the creed and
participated actively in the singing and dancing, God was just a “thing” to
him.
We deny Christ by refusing to allow Christ’s
words to govern our thoughts and actions. We deny Christ when we behave as if
Jesus is not real. We deny Christ when we refuse to use our position, wealth
and political influence in the society advance the cause of Christ. I wonder why
a Christian would be in power wouldn’t attempt to use his pollical office to
evangelize but as soon as a non-Christian gets into the same position, it would
be clear how much passion he devotes to advancing his religion.
John the Baptist rose to a certain
position of social influence. He had become popular attracting crowds to
himself. When you have influence, you also have power, you can easily attract whatever
you desire be it money, fame or glory. But at the height of his glory, John the
Baptist said: “I am not the Christ…. I am the voice of one crying in the
wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said. … I
baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of
whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” (John 1:20-27).
Most of our celebrities (musicians,
actors, social media influencers, successful business icons etc.) are
Christians but how many of them use their position of influence to promote
Christ? How many of them would speak like John the Baptist? Many of them started
out in the church but have now turned their backs on Christ. They have become
antichrists for the sake of the fame and glory promoting immorality by their
work. Failure to live out the Gospel values amounts to denying Christ and being
antichrist.
When those of us who claim to be men
and women of God, (ordained or not) do not practice what we preach, we are also
antichrists. Today 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
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (St. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.
Bible Study: 1st John 2:22-28, Psalm 98, and John 1:19-28).
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