He Told The Truth

 

He who knows the Father will also know the Son and vis-visa.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 2nd Week of Christmas Time, and the Memorial of SS Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, January 2nd, 2024
Texts: 1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1 - 4; John 1: 19-28 

Today’s readings challenge us to tell the truth, not minding our ego or personal interest. John the Baptist lived up to this challenge, he told the truth in spite of his ego or personal interest. Things worked in his favour to impersonate Christ, but he did not. We read about him thus: “He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’” He even humbled himself as he said, “he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” John the Baptist was a man of truth; we are to emulate him. 

Today’s first reading is about denial of the truth by some disciples. St. John calls them liars and antichrist. Unlike John the Baptist, the antichrists deny that Jesus is the Christ. He says, “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.” They are antichrists because they deny Christ to Jesus. They are liars because they deny the truth. Being liars means they are intentional in denying the truth. They satisfied their ego and personal interest rather than the truth. 

He who knows the Father will also know the Son and vis-visa

St. John goes further to say that as they deny the Son they also deny the Father. This is because he who knows the Father will also know the Son and vis-visa. The claim that we know the Father is a lie when we do not know the Son. He, therefore, discourages us from emulating them. In other words, he encourages us to embrace the truth, not falsehood or lie. 

St. John tells us how to hold on to the truth. He says, “If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father.” He reminds us that anointing comes by what we heard in the beginning. He puts it thus: “the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him.” He affirms that living by the truth gives us confidence before God. 

St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory

St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory, whose memorial is today, sought knowledge and virtues. They deployed their knowledge in service of the Church and humanity. They teach us to seek knowledge and virtues.  

Prayer  

O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by the example and teaching of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory, grant, we pray, that in humility we may learn your truth and practice it faithfully in charity. Amen (Collect)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU, YEAR 2024 SHALL BE FULFILLING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AMEN 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke