St. Basil the Great, Bishop and Doctor

St. Basil the Great, Bishop and Doctor, 329-379 A.D., feast January 2

St. Basil "the Great"

St. Basil shares the honorific title "the Great" with three other doctors of the Church: Pope Leo, Pope Gregory, and Albert. (The Church declares certain Saints as Doctors of the Church because their writings continue to uphold the Church's teachings for the universal Church). So great were Basil's accomplishments that he was already being called "the Great" during his lifetime. His spiritually influenced Eastern monasticism and the liturgy of the Eastern Church. He also defended orthodox Christianity in the East against the heresy of Arianism after St. Athanasius' death.

Born of a family of saints

St. Basil was one of ten children of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia. His grandmother was St. Macrina the Elder, his brother was St. Gregory of Nyssa, and his eldest sister was St. Macrina the Younger. Basil was born in Caesarea of Cappadocia - in what is now southeastern Turkey. Educated first by his father and grandmother, he then studied further in Constantinople and Athens. There he met St. Gregory Nazianzen, who would become his close friend. He also met Julian - who would become the future emperor and apostate.

Pursuit of religious life

When his education was completed, St. Basil returned home, where he taught rhetoric and planned a career in teaching. However, St. Macrina the Younger, his eldest sister, influenced him to pursue religious life. Basil travelled to many monasteries in the East (in Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt) to learn about monastic life. Upon his return back in 358 A.D., he settled in a secluded spot by the Iris River in Pontus, and devoted himself to prayer and study. A group of disciples soon gathered around him. With these followers, he founded the first monastery in Asia Minor. It is them that St. Basil formulated the principles that would rule and regulate the lives of monks in the Eastern Church (including those of modern Orthodox Churches) up to the present age. It is this accomplishment that St. Basil came to be known as "the Father of Eastern Monasticism".

A priest in 363 A.D.

Basil consented to be ordained a priest and he immediately began to play a role in the administration of the diocese. After a dispute with his bishop Eusebius, he returned to his monastery. He was recalled to the diocese in 365 A.D. through the insistence of his friend, Gregory of Nazianzen. Upon his return, he became the power behind the episcopal throne for the next five years. When the bishop died in 370 A.D., St. Basil was chosen bishop. He then spent the next eight and one half years caring for his diocese.

Involvement against Arianism

Because orthodox Christians were being persecuted by Arian bishops, Basil was called upon to help defend the faith against Arianism (which claims that Christ is not divine). Valens, an Arian emperor, pressured Basil to allow Arians full communion with the Church. St. Basil firmly refused and the Emperor decided to exile him. Upon signing the order of banishment, Valens' pen broke in his hand three times. Astonished by this happening, the Emperor then backed down and never again interfered with ecclesial affairs.

The Basilade

St. Basil was known for his care of the poor. He devoted all of his income for the good of the people. He founded an immense charitable institution, later known as the Basilade. This institution included a hospital, a hospice for the homeless, an asylum for orphans, and a school for the young.

A great orator and a prolific writer

St. Basil was one of the great orators of the Church - preaching brilliant sermons twice a day. He was a prolific writer - writing four hundred letters that had tremendous influence on the Church. His other writings include a book On the Holy Spirit; three books against Arian bishop Enomius; and a compilation with Gregory Nazianzen of the works of Origen. It was his 42 written sermons, his writings, and his 400 letters that earned him the designation of Doctor of the Church.

Pain and illness

St. Basil was already suffering from a chest ailment when he was contending against Arian Emperor Valens. This chest pain and other infirmities brought about his death on January 1, 379 A.D. at age 49. Because he was so beloved, his funeral was attended by large numbers of Christians, Jews, and pagans.

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (A)

Reference & Gospel Reflection to the Sunday Readings : Years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

January 5, 2013
Scripture References: Liturgical readings
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

"On entering the house, they found the Child."

Jesus is the only Person pre-announced in the history of human civilization. The pre-announcements and prophecies pointing to His birth came from His own Jewish religion and also from prophets and wise men of other faiths. It is these prophetic references to His birth that the wise men, "three Kings", or Magi from the East, watched the skies for a sign of His birth. These men may have been astrologers since they knew about stars in their rising. So as they found the star, they followed it until they arrived in a manger. They entered the place, and found the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes. His mother Mary and St. Joseph were attending to Him. The Magi saw the light from the heavens that lit the way for them to see the brightest Light that is meant for all people.

In a sermon on the feast of the Epiphany, St. Peter Chrysologus (ca. 400-450 A.D.), one of the early Doctors of the Church, spoke and wrote about this mystery:

"Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, One whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a King, myrrh for One who is to die."

God, King and Martyr. This is how Jesus, the Messiah, will also reveal Himself to us in our time. He reveals Himself first to Mary and Joseph, to the Magi and to His people Israel. He is now revealing Himself to us, the new Israel, in the Church and her sacraments. How generous of the Father to reveal His Son incarnated in Jewish ancestry and culture, and with a human nature shared by all races. God reveals Himself in all simplicity - within a family. Something all cultures and races can related with. God manifests His glory clothed in humility: a truth consistent throughout the gospels. He is God from the womb of a Virgin and a manger in Bethlehem. He is King as He was condemned to die on a Cross. And He is a Martyr entombed in one owned by Joseph of Arimathea. All these are one in the light of the Resurrection.

Scripture quotes from the Sunday readings:
All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord (Isaiah 60)
The kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute (Psalm 72)
In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews (Ephesians 3)
The astrologers from the east opened their coffers and presented to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2)

The Blessed Mother's Role in the "Latter Times"

The Role of the Virgin Mary in the "Latter Times

Introduction

One of the great contributions of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort in Mariology (study on the Blessed Mother) is his writing about her role in "the latter times". A quote from his book, "The True Devotion to Mary", expresses well this role:

"The salvation of the world began through Mary and through her it must be accomplished." (True Devotion, #49)

Mary's role in the latter times

St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort explains in detail why God wishes Mary to have a role in the end times. He gives the reasons in his book, "The True Devotion":

• Keeping herself hidden by her great humility, Mary has obtained from God the favor of being made known


• God wishes to be glorified and praised by those who devoted themselves to Him through Mary


• Mary must be known and acknowledged so that Jesus may be known and acknowledged


• As Mary is the way by which Jesus first came to us, she will again be the way by which Jesus will again come to us, though not in the same manner


• Mary must be better known for the deeper understanding and the greater glory of the Blessed Trinity


• In the latter times, or end times, Mary is to shine forth: in mercy, to bring back sinners to God and the Church; in power, to combat the enemies of Christ; in grace, to inspire and support Christ's soldiers


• Mary must become as terrible as an army in battle array to the Evil One and his followers, especially in the end times [True Devotion, #50-54]

What are the latter times or end times?

Though St. Louis-Marie did not explain what he means by the "latter times", we can obtain what this can mean from the book, "The End Will Not Be At Once", by Fr. Herman Hendrickx. Fr. Hendrickx, a bible scholar, gives an idea of what the end times will be by his study of Mark 13:1-4 and Luke 21:5-36. These two passages recount what Jesus told his disciples about the end. Although the scriptural texts may appear frightening, all those fearful details must be understood within the context of the second coming of Jesus - when the redemption of all Christians comes, and all will stand with confidence before Christ.

Devotion to Mary is necessary in the latter times


It is in view of these end times where we will receive our redemption, that St. Louis-Marie de Montfort concludes that Mary's role is necessary. Devotees of Mary in the end times will have recourse to her as their advocate and mediatrix before Jesus. She will be the "safest, easiest, shortest, and most perfect way of approaching Jesus".


St. Louis-Marie foresaw that those who devote themselves to Mary in these end times will be the "true apostles of the latter times". The simplicity and self-sacrifice of Jesus will be reflected in the whole behavior of all who give themselves to Jesus through Mary in the end.

The latter times is a mystery

When the latter times or end times will be is beyond all human capacity to know. St. Louis-Marie says that: "Only God knows. For our part we must yearn and wait for it in silence and in prayer." (True Devotion, #55-59).

Why did St. Louis-Marie mention the "latter times"?

One reason in relation to his spiritual intuition on the mystery of the Incarnation. He shares his spiritual insight by saying that, "as she [Mary] was the way by which Jesus first came to us (through the mystery of the Incarnation), she will again be the way by which He [Jesus] will come to us the second time though not in the same manner." This spiritual intuition of Montfort can help us see the importance of Marian devotion for our times.

Montfort lived during the years 1673-1716 A.D. in France. But even before the apparitions at Fatima, St. Louis-Marie says that Mary is "to bring back and welcome lovingly the poor sinners and wanderers who are to be converted and return to the Catholic Church". (True Devotion #50-6). "...For Satan, knowing that he has little time - even less now than ever - to destroy souls, intensifies his efforts and his onslaughts every day. (True Devotion #50-7).

Montfort foresees that the Evil One will "stir up savage persecutions and set treacherous snares for Mary's faithful servants and children in the end times. (True Devotion #50-7).

Montfort writes that it is necessary to make Mary known during the end times. For it is by her that Jesus will come to us a second time, though not in the same manner [as the first coming]. In the "latter times", "the humble Mary will always triumph over Satan, the proud one, and so great will be her victory that she will crush his head, the very seat of his pride." (True Devotion #54).

Related resources:

• Six Popular Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary


• Books on Mary and a Documentary on the Nativity, from
  Ignatius Press.com


• Method of Praying the Holy Rosary


• God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis-Marie
  Grignion de Montfort


• The Jerusalem Bible


• "The End Will Not Be At Once", by Herman Hendrickx