Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

January 2, 2026

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

[John the Baptist] said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”

It seems clear from the Scriptures that many thought that John was the long-awaited messiah. In fact, a group of his disciples continued to maintain this to the end of the first century. Luke wants to make it clear that John himself never claimed to be the messiah; in fact, he defined his role as simply preparing for his coming. He was merely the precursor of the Lord.

This is important for us from a historical point of view. It is also important from a vocational point of view. All of us are called to be both precursors, proclaiming the reality of God’s coming into our world and into our lives, as well as disciples. John signified his mission as preparing people for Jesus’ coming through repentance and a change of heart, essentially clearing the way for God’s arrival by transforming minds and lives for the Messiah. It’s a call for radical change (repentance and baptism) to build a spiritual highway for the Lord’s work. That is necessary for us even today, if we are to be faithful to our baptismal promises.

In another gospel passage, John said to his disciples, “I must decrease; he must increase” (John 3:30). John the Baptist reminds us that only one thing matters: not fame or glory, but that people encounter Jesus in us. Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, whom we celebrate today, were, like the Baptist, excellent examples of people who lent their voice to Christ. As bishops, they spoke eloquently against heresies of the time.

When have you experienced God filling you with courage and wisdom to do his work?

Let Us Pray:

Lord Jesus, give me the courage and wisdom of John the Baptist and Saints Basil and Gregory to do your work on earth. Renew my trust in your grace working through me, even when I do not see it.