Word to the Wise
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - Jan. 2
[1 John 2:22-28 and John 1:19-28]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. [1 John]
JANUARY 2 STS. BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN
Sts. Basil and Gregory are two of the great Fathers of the Church, along with Sts. Athanasius and John Chrysostom. They lived at a time when theology could be a contact sport because theological issues were also political issues. The big issue in their time was a widespread heresy now called "Arianism." It basically taught that Jesus Christ was a special created being, but NOT God and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, thus denying the truth of the Holy Trinity. This heresy had a broad influence and the effort to counter it could be tough.
We take certain truths of our faith pretty much for granted that once were a matter of fierce debate. The true identity of Jesus and the role of Mary in salvation were both matters that had to be settled at ecumenical councils: Nicea (325 A.D.) and Ephesus (431). The emperor Constantine summoned the Council of Nicea because the dispute with the Arians was causing such widespread turmoil!
Theological issues still cause division among Christians. In our own day, the role of women in the church and who may be ordained to diaconate and priesthood is a hotly debated subject. The recent document on "blessings" Fiducia supplicans, has caused considerable dispute. But anyone who lived at the time of Sts. Basil and Gregory could warn us that faith can mean tough riding at times. Whoever said theology is boring? AMEN