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Memorial of St. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Dr.’s of the
church.
1 John 2:22-28
Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4
John1:19-28
Summary
In the first reading, the author encourages the reader to “remain in the Son and
in the Father” and cautions to beware of liars and deceivers who deny that Jesus
is the Christ.
The Gospel tells the story of John being questioned by the priests, Levites and
Pharisees as he is baptizing in advance of Jesus’ coming.When repeatedly asked
who he is, he answers,“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,‘Make
straight the way of the Lord.’”
Reflection
We Californians live in a desert climate very similar to that of the Jordan River/
Amman, where John the Baptist’s ministry was located. The average tempera-
ture there is .02 degrees cooler; the total annual precipitation is about 1.4 inches
less and relative humidity levels are 1.9% lower.
As in all de-
serts, water
is precious.
It is especial-
ly precious
in times of
drought. We
intellectually
know the
right things
to do in or-
der to con-
serve water
yet we so of-
ten don’t do
them. We
take the easy