Saint Basil and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus were life-long friends in the fourth century, both becoming important and influential bishops of the Church.
Saint Basil and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (along with Saint Basil’s brother Saint Gregory of Nyssa) were known as the Cappadocian Fathers which were immensely important in forming early Christianity and monastic tradition, particularly in the East.
Additionally, Saint Basil and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (along with Saint John Chrysostom) are known as the Great Hierarch of the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as many of the Orthodox Churches. In the West, they are revered as part of the distinguished group of the Doctors of the Church. These men were instrumental in the development of the liturgy and the combat against heresies, particularly arianism and apollinarianism.
One contribution we do not generally talk about is a contribution of which many in our 21st century society need to be reminded. I am referring to the social vision espoused by these great men; in particular, Saint Basil. I’ll warn you, this may be a bit convicting (at least it was challenging for me as I reflected on the life of Saint Basil).
Saint Basil taught the need for spiritual growth through prayer needs to be balanced with engaging with society through charity. A fruitful life is one of simplicity, prayer, and service.
A proper engagement with society would naturally lead a person to desire to address the tangible needs of others. Saint Basil spoke often of the challenge Jesus made in the Gospels: “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Saint Basil did not see this challenge as a problem with attachment to wealth (as we often hear), but rather a failure to love. Saint Basil did not see the challenge as an individual moral decision, but rather a call for social responsibility. For Saint Basil, it is about recognizing the human dignity of the other and charitably providing for their care.
Saint Basil routinely critiqued those who spent lavishly, spending well beyond necessity, while their neighbor suffered.
Saint Basil said, “It is evident that you are far from fulfilling the commandment, and that you bear false witness within your own soul that you have loved your neighbor as yourself. For if what you say is true, that you have kept from your youth the commandment of love and have given to everyone the same as to yourself, then how did you come by this abundance of wealth? Care for the needy requires the expenditure of wealth: when all share alike, disbursing their possessions among themselves, they each receive a small portion for their individual needs. Thus, those who love their neighbor as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor; yet surely, you seem to have great possessions! How else can this be, but that you have preferred your own enjoyment to the consolation of the many? For the more you abound in wealth, the more you lack in love.”
To be clear, Saint Basil is not promoting socialism, which cares nothing for either charity nor human dignity. But rather, Saint Basil simply reminds us, in perhaps a hyperbolic fashion, that we all have a responsibility in providing for the needs of the suffering…whether that is through supporting organizations like Saint Vincent de Paul and the Saint Patrick Center, or through direct corporal works of mercy.
Ultimately, Saint Basil is warning against the dangers of selfishness. Selfishness stands in the way of true spiritual growth. Selfishness prevents us from sharing our wealth with those in need. Selfishness prevents us from looking at others with compassion.
For Saint Basil, spiritual piety and social responsibility are inseparable. He reminds us of the Gospel message to care for and love those in our midst.
Today, let us echo the Cappadocian Fathers: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
Thanks be to God!
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