Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Ss Basil the Great (330-379) and Gregory of Naziansus (325-389). Both of them were great Doctors of the Church. It was an age of heresies. When the Roman Empire was converted, top-down, to Christianity, it was a time of peace and great gifts. When people spent less time fleeing for lift, they had more time to ponder on the fine points of their belief. Just as what the First Epistle of John has warned, these heresies came from within.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19).
Therefore, heresies are nothing new but they are dangerous because they split the community of believers. Both Basil and Gregory were fighting a dangerous heresy called Arianism which denied the divinity of Jesus. Thanks to their efforts and others', Christianity is preserved.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19).
Therefore, heresies are nothing new but they are dangerous because they split the community of believers. Both Basil and Gregory were fighting a dangerous heresy called Arianism which denied the divinity of Jesus. Thanks to their efforts and others', Christianity is preserved.
Today, I would like to focus on one single verse.
but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him (1 John 2:27).
John wrote this to assure his audience that the Holy Spirit they received would help them fight off heresies. Superficially, this verse would crash with the teaching authority of the Church, the Magisterium. If each Christian has received the Holy Spirit and there is no need that any one should teach him, as written by John, what need is there for a Magisterium to impose its teaching on the believers?
but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him (1 John 2:27).
John wrote this to assure his audience that the Holy Spirit they received would help them fight off heresies. Superficially, this verse would crash with the teaching authority of the Church, the Magisterium. If each Christian has received the Holy Spirit and there is no need that any one should teach him, as written by John, what need is there for a Magisterium to impose its teaching on the believers?
The Magisterium consists of the Pope and the college of bishops in communion with him. Surely, these people also have received the Holy Spirit who will teach them everything taught by Jesus. Moreover, these people have undergone vigorous theological training which not many Christians have. All Christians believe that Jesus is both God and man. But not many are able to reason properly why and how it is so. That is why there are so many heresies throughout the history of Christianity.
The Magisterium is also given the responsibility to preserve and explain the deposit of revelation handed down from the apostles. They are the successors of the college of apostles. Therefore, it makes sense to obey their teachings. Of course, there are exceptions to rules. When you are an expert in the specific topic of contention and you follow your conscience, it is possible for you to disagree with the Magisterium. In such case, you must be one of those expert theologians. Your dissidence may contribute to the progress of theology so that the future generations may have a better articulation of the revealed truth. At the end of time, God will decide who is right.
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming (1 John 2:28).
Abide in Jesus. Follow his teachings. This is the advice John gave. We may not have the chance to receive formal theological trainings. But we are free to study the Scripture, worship in the liturgy and pray with the Bible in our privacy. Don't forget to put into practice what Jesus teaches in our every encounter with our neighbour. Christianity is a living faith and a faith for living.
The Magisterium is also given the responsibility to preserve and explain the deposit of revelation handed down from the apostles. They are the successors of the college of apostles. Therefore, it makes sense to obey their teachings. Of course, there are exceptions to rules. When you are an expert in the specific topic of contention and you follow your conscience, it is possible for you to disagree with the Magisterium. In such case, you must be one of those expert theologians. Your dissidence may contribute to the progress of theology so that the future generations may have a better articulation of the revealed truth. At the end of time, God will decide who is right.
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming (1 John 2:28).
Abide in Jesus. Follow his teachings. This is the advice John gave. We may not have the chance to receive formal theological trainings. But we are free to study the Scripture, worship in the liturgy and pray with the Bible in our privacy. Don't forget to put into practice what Jesus teaches in our every encounter with our neighbour. Christianity is a living faith and a faith for living.
Dear Lord, remove obstacles in our hearts so that we may be taught and empowered by Your Spirit to bear witness for You in the world. Amen.
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