TUESDAY HOMILY: THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN

TUESDAY HOMILY: THE MEMORIAL OF SAINTS BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN

THEME: The Power of Unity and Truth

BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, two remarkable saints who lived in the early Church. Their lives and teachings remind us of the importance of unity and truth in our Christian journey.

Imagine a village where two rival groups coexisted uneasily. They disagreed on many things, and their differences often led to conflicts. One day, a wise old man came to the village and saw the division and strife. He decided to teach the villagers a lesson about unity and truth.

The old man gathered both groups and told them a story about two candles. He lit one candle and showed how it gave light, but when he brought a second candle close to it, the flame of the first candle grew stronger. He explained that, just like the candles, when we come together in unity and share our differences, our understanding and love for each other grow stronger.

But, as he warned, there is a catch. Just like a candle can’t be lit without a flame, our unity must be rooted in truth. If we compromise on truth, our unity is like a candle without a flame, offering no light in the darkness. Saints Basil and Gregory knew this well.

They lived in a time of theological disputes and division within the Church. But they stood firm in their faith, seeking truth and unity through prayer, study, and dialogue. They showed us that when we prioritize truth and love, we can overcome even the greatest of disagreements.

In today’s first reading (1 John 2:22–28), we hear: “Children, be on your guard against false teachers.” And in the Gospel (John 1:19–28), we hear about the priests and Levites who came to question John the Baptist. They were seeking the truth, but their hearts were not open to receiving it.

Let us learn from Saints Basil and Gregory. May their example inspire us to seek truth and unity in our own lives and in our communities. May we be like the two candles, which grew stronger together through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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