The following is an English summary of Pope Benedict's "homily" at yesterday's weekly audience in Rome. Again, the Holy Father is continuing his reflection on great saints in the early Church.
Saint Basil
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our catechesis on the church Fathers today brings us to the great fourth-century bishop, Saint Basil, whom the Byzantine liturgy refers to as a “light of the Church”. Though he had received the best education possible, at the conclusion of his studies he yearned to learn more. He discovered that only Christ could fulfil him, and so dedicated himself completely to a monastic life of prayer and charitable works. Ordained Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in 370, Basil tirelessly cared for his people and devoted himself continuously to meditation on the sacred word. He attended to the material needs of his flock, supported the poor and marginalized, and defended the freedom to profess the Christian faith. A special love for the sick led him to found many hospitals. Basil’s pastoral activity flowed from a deep devotion to the sacred liturgy; in fact, the Church still possesses a eucharistic prayer bearing his name. Basil also firmly corrected those who denied the divinity of either Christ or the Holy Spirit. We find in Basil an outstanding model of free, total, and uncompromising service to the Church. May God give us the courage to imitate him.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our catechesis on the church Fathers today brings us to the great fourth-century bishop, Saint Basil, whom the Byzantine liturgy refers to as a “light of the Church”. Though he had received the best education possible, at the conclusion of his studies he yearned to learn more. He discovered that only Christ could fulfil him, and so dedicated himself completely to a monastic life of prayer and charitable works. Ordained Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia in 370, Basil tirelessly cared for his people and devoted himself continuously to meditation on the sacred word. He attended to the material needs of his flock, supported the poor and marginalized, and defended the freedom to profess the Christian faith. A special love for the sick led him to found many hospitals. Basil’s pastoral activity flowed from a deep devotion to the sacred liturgy; in fact, the Church still possesses a eucharistic prayer bearing his name. Basil also firmly corrected those who denied the divinity of either Christ or the Holy Spirit. We find in Basil an outstanding model of free, total, and uncompromising service to the Church. May God give us the courage to imitate him.
