Memorial of Sts. Basil the Great

and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops

and Doctors of the Church

“Make straight the way for the Lord.” – John 1:23

       How do you find our Metro Manila traffic? Today, the best friend of almost every driver is Waze. It’s a mobile app that helps you find the best and fastest route to your destination.

       In the same way, God is calling us to guide the people around us: our family, friends, and coworkers. The question is: How can we lead them to a better, happier, and blessed life? God knows that we’re not perfect. He knows our tiniest flaws and our biggest weaknesses. Because of this, we often lose our way.

       Are you praying for someone to change for the better? Though we can never change people, we can inspire and lead them to the right path. By being a reflection of Jesus to them, we are already pointing them to the easiest, fastest, and best way to live their lives to the full.

       You don’t need Waze this time. Just call on Jesus. He is the “Way-ze,” the Truth and the Life! He will always be there to light your path.

       Enjoy your journey in the loving presence of God! Monching Bueno (ramon_bueno@yahoo.com)

Reflect: Be a reflection of Jesus to others so they may know Him more.

Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church, pray for us.

To deny that Jesus Christ is the Messiah is a lie. When it comes to salvation, there is nothing more important than to know through whom it comes from – salvation is given by God the Father through His Son, Jesus. This is a “yes” or “no” issue. Let’s make sure we get it right. But saying “yes” has its consequences. We have to reflect this truth in the way we live.

22 Beloved: Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son — this is the antichrist. 23 Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. 26 I write you these things about those who would deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything that is true and not false; just as it was taught you, remain in him. 28 And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R)2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R)All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)

John the Baptist’s role in the work of salvation was to pave the way for Christ’s mission. Today, our role is to make that mission known. We have different roles according to our gifts and talents. We need to discern our role and be faithful to it – this is discipleship. Let us respond to God’s call for us to be His disciples.

In times past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.

19 This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Read the Bible in one year Luke 4-6

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________

THE YEAR OF THE LORD,

NOT OF ANY ANIMAL

I remember hearing a news report about feng shui around this time last year. After telling the viewers about all the lucky charms needed for a prosperous new year, the TV reporter said that, according to the feng shui masters she had interviewed, prayer is still needed for a better new year.

       On this second day of 2018, we celebrate the memorial of two great teachers of the Christian faith or Doctors of the Church: Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. Of interest for us at this time when fortune telling is hot is a homily by St. Gregory Nazianzen. He said that when the Magi from the East, guided by a star, adored Jesus as the “newborn King,” astrology came to an end. He explained that with the birth of Jesus, the stars and everything move in the orbit determined by Christ, and not the other way around as astrology claims. We must remember that during that time, people considered astrology as a true science and believed that the world is governed by elemental spirits of the universe, something that has become fashionable anew even among us followers of Jesus Christ.

     Christ came more than 2,000 years ago and yet people still doubt Him, refusing to accept Him as true God and true Man. How sad that we Christians still refuse to recognize Jesus Christ as love, truth, and having the final say in our lives — not the stars, the moon, the planets, or even animals. Jesus comes to us in our daily lives, in our struggles, and most especially in the sacraments. Do we recognize Him? Is Jesus the motivating factor in our decisions and actions, or is it feng shui?

       Our two saints today gave their lives in the service of Christ through His people in their teachings and prayers even if they belonged to the Eastern Church which is widely accepted in Rome. Fr. Nick Lalog

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

To whom do you entrust the year that has just begun?

Lord Jesus Christ, help us to recognize You and abide in You alone, not in things and elements. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________________