Episode 2848: Love of God, Love of Neighbor - Morning Episode

Episode 1485: St Adrian of Canterbury

Episode 1768: St Julian of Antioch

Episode 155: St. Basil the Great
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Saints & Theology Desert Fathers Early Christian hermits and monks who lived in the Egyptian desert.

Love of God, Love of Neighbor
Welcome back to our podcast, where we explore the beauty and richness of the traditional Catholic faith. Today, we turn our attention to the liturgical commemorations for January 9th on the traditional Catholic calendar. On this day, we honor several saints, including St. Julian of Antioch and St. Peter of Sebaste, and reflect on the profound teachings of St. Basil the Great and Sacred Scripture.
Our theme is the inseparable connection between love for God and love for neighbor a cornerstone of our faith that calls us to act with charity and compassion.
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Part 1: Saints of the Day – St. Peter of Sebaste and St. Basil the Great
On January 9th, we commemorate St. Peter of Sebaste, a bishop of the 4th century and the younger brother of the great Church Father, St. Basil the Great. These brothers, along with their sister St. Macrina, came from a family deeply devoted to Christ and the Church, leaving a profound legacy of theological wisdom and active charity.
St. Peter reminds us:
"Let us show forth our faith by our works; for this is the only way in which it becomes manifest."
This teaching challenges us to examine our own lives. Faith is not a private sentiment or a mere intellectual belief. It must bear fruit in concrete actions. This aligns with the Gospel teaching in Matthew 7:16:
"By their fruits, you shall know them."
St. Basil, a towering figure in the Church known for his defense of orthodoxy and care for the poor, expands on this idea with piercing clarity:
"The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit."
These words remind us that indifference to the needs of others is not neutral it is an act of injustice. St. Basil calls us to stewardship, urging us to see our resources not as personal possessions but as gifts entrusted to us by God for the benefit of others.
The lives of these saints are a powerful call to action. They show us that true holiness is lived out in service to others, especially the most vulnerable.
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Part 2: Scripture Reflections
The readings for January 9th beautifully echo the teachings of these saints.
First Reading: 1 John 4:19—5:4
This passage reveals the intimate link between love of God and love of neighbor:
"Beloved, we love God because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
St. John reminds us that our relationship with God is measured by how we treat those around us. To claim love for God while harboring hatred or indifference toward our neighbor is hypocrisy. The passage continues:
"This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
But love is not just a feeling it is obedience to God’s commandments:
"For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
What are these commandments? At their core, they are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). These are not heavy burdens but joyful paths to freedom and holiness.
Gospel: Luke 4:14-22
In today’s Gospel, we witness the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Returning to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit," Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue of Nazareth:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."
Jesus declares that this prophecy is fulfilled in Him. His mission is clear: to bring good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and liberate those in bondage. These are not abstract promises; they are tangible acts of love and mercy.
As followers of Christ, we are called to continue His mission. We are the hands and feet of Christ in the world, bringing His love and truth to those in need.
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Part 3: Living These Truths – Practical Steps for Charity and Faith
How can we, as traditional Catholics, embody these teachings in our daily lives?
1. Cultivate Charity in Small Acts:
Begin by looking around you. Is there someone in your parish, family, or neighborhood who is in need? A kind word, a listening ear, or a simple act of generosity can be a powerful witness to Christ’s love.
2. Examine Your Stewardship:
St. Basil’s words challenge us to evaluate how we use our resources. Take a moment to reflect:
o Do you have clothes, food, or other items that could be donated to those in need?
o Are you using your time and talents to serve others, or are you focused solely on your own comfort?
3. Live Faith Through Action:
As St. Peter of Sebaste said, faith becomes manifest through works. Consider volunteering at a parish ministry, supporting pro-life initiatives, or helping at a local food bank. These actions are not optional extras they are integral to living out our faith.
4. Pray for a Heart of Love:
True charity begins with prayer. Ask God to fill your heart with His love, so that you can see Christ in every person you encounter.
5. Proclaim the Gospel Boldly:
Just as Jesus proclaimed the good news, we are called to share the faith with others. This might mean having a conversation about God’s love, inviting someone to Mass, or simply living in a way that reflects the Gospel.
These practical steps help us align our lives with the commandments of God and the example of the saints. They remind us that love is not a passive emotion but an active response to God’s grace.
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Part 4: Living These Truths
How do we apply these lessons in our lives?
1. Commit to Studying the Faith: Carve out time daily to read Scripture, study Church teachings, and reflect on the lives of the saints.
2. Frequent the Sacraments: Just as the Israelites depended on manna, frequent reception of the Eucharist strengthens us for our spiritual journey.
3. Trust in God’s Providence: The manna reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Trust that He provides for all our needs, especially in times of trial.
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Part 5: Closing Reflection
Let us resolve to deepen our knowledge of God, treasure the Eucharist as our Bread of Life, and trust in God’s providential care, knowing that He leads us toward the ultimate promised land of eternal life.
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Conclusion Prayer
Let us conclude in prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are the source of all truth and the giver of every good gift. We thank You for the gift of Your Word and the Bread of Life, which nourishes our souls and leads us to eternal life. Grant us the grace to seek You with all our hearts and to grow in knowledge and love of Your divine truths.
May we never take for granted the gifts You provide, especially the Eucharist, the true Bread from Heaven. Strengthen us in our journey, and guide us toward the eternal promised land, where we will dwell with You forever.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us. May God’s light guide your path, and may His truth always fill your heart. Until next time, God bless!