1 John 2:22-28
John 1:19-28
Today we celebrate Saints Basil and Gregory, two contemporaries bishops and doctors of the Church, hierarchs of orthodox Christianity, and Cappadocian fathers. They stood firm for the true teachings of the Church against the heresies of their time. Basil was a strong character, a burning lamp during his time and Gregory was, unquestionably one of the greatest orators of Christian antiquity; his many and great accomplishments were due in great measure to his exceptional eloquence and humility in devotion
We see in today’s gospel, John the Baptist making a radical statement of who is and what he stands for. “I am not the Christ” and his life of humility is quite extraordinary such that he was an influential figure throughout the Transjordan regions. Our Lord was not known until St. Paul started preaching the gospel in some of these places. St John the Baptist also mentioned that he is unworthy to untie the sandal of the anointed one of God who comes to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
The world we live in is a world full of hardships and persecution, but as saints, we live on and on with the power of God by our side. With His power, he levels our hills and fills the valleys into plains for a way to come forth. God looks beyond us and shows us his mercy. Today let us repent of our sins and draw ourselves closer to God. We must strive harder to make our relationship with God better by standing out for the Holy One of God in humility and truth. In the end, victory is surely ours forever.
Fr Joseph Osho