Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops, Doctors
First reading – 1 John 2:22-28
In this passage, John is writing to a community that needs reassurance and clarity about who Jesus truly is. He begins by affirming that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Father—the very foundation of our faith. To acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God is not just an intellectual agreement; rather, it shapes our entire way of living. John encourages us to “stay in Him” or “remain in Christ.” This phrase suggests a close, ongoing, and transformative relationship with Jesus. Abiding in Christ means: Holding Fast to the Truth that Jesus is the Son of God the Father, that we find eternal life in Him, that we can be with Him now too. The message emphasizes the profound importance of abiding in Christ as the Son of God. By remaining connected to Him, believers not only affirm their faith but also partake in the gift of eternal life. This passage serves as a reminder to trust in the truth of Christ, rejecting any deception that denies His divinity. The invitation to “stay in Him” is both an encouragement and a call to action—it asks us to cultivate an ongoing relationship with Christ through prayer, obedience, and faithfulness. This abiding is not passive; it is an active living out of our faith, rooted in the understanding that Christ is the one who leads us to eternal life with the Father. Let’s reflect: How actively am I living out my faith by “remaining in Christ,” and in what ways can I deepen this transformative relationship through faithfulness in the truth of Christ?
Don Giorgio