2 January 2023
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
“Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ” (1 John 2:22). For now, let’s set aside the question of how this verse applies to other people. Let’s apply it simply to you, a student of St. Ignatius Loyola. If you destroy a beautiful work of art, you are a vandal. If you do an evil act, you are an evildoer. If you deny the truth, you are a liar. If you deny the greatest truth, you are the greatest liar.
“The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (John 3:19-21).
Do you really prefer to spend your time in the light of the gospel, or do you tend to dwell in the darkness of this fallen world? Perhaps without intending to, are you piecemeal exchanging the truth of God for a lie (Cf. Romans 1:25)? Reflecting on the last 24 hours of your life, when did you embrace the light of truth, and when did you look for happiness elsewhere? Looking ahead to the next 24 hours, what will your preference be?