St Basil the Great - On Social Justice

Have you ever had an overwhelming encounter with a beautiful aspect of Gods creation, and then struggled to describe it to others? Have you ever read something so powerful that it forever changed the way you live your life? Have you ever had a truly life-changing experience? Certain events are impossible to explain in mere words. For me, reading the writings of St Basil the Great in the following chapters was one of those experiences: life-changing and indescribable.

After my first visit to Alaska, I was so moved to the core of my being that I wanted to share it with everyone... but the incredible splendor and vast expanses of untainted beauty were powerful beyond words. The eerie quiet. The white thunder of creaking glaciers. The purity of nature with its amazing array of creatures great and small. The glorious breach and crash of a humpback whale. The monstrous power of a calving glacier. The virtual carpet of salmon fighting their way upstream to fulfill their mission. The sunset at midnight. A solitary, soaring bald eagle. My paltry words couldnt begin to convey the reality.

Perhaps youve had a similar experience with an inspiring book, a special meal, or a gorgeous locale. With great confidence, you tell friends that it would be worth the effort to experience it for themselvesbut your description falls short. Thats how I feel about these writings of Basil. There is no way to describe the power, simplicity, wisdom, and freedom of his words; but just as I would confidently urge my friends to visit Alaska and assure them without a doubt that it would be a blessing to them, so I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.

When you read Basils words, you will think they were written yesterdaynot 1,600 years ago! Its unbelievable how precisely he describes our modern struggle with material wealth, our responsibility to our fellow man, and how to live a life in balance. The struggle he describes is the exact struggle facing any person with a conscience. How much is enough? How far should I go to provide for my family and myself? What is my responsibility to others? Do I have to sell everything and give it all to the poor to make God happy? Basils guidance in these difficult areas will not only surprise you, it will also feel like a cup of cool water to your soul. When we see suffering and are pained by it, it is the image of God within us yearning to do what we were created to doto be a child of God and help alleviate that suffering. But we hesitate, and at that moment our own soul suffers, because in order to grow, the soul needs to connect with and give to another. When we dont respond, we not only rob the person in need; we rob ourselves. Basils words sear the mind and heart, but in the end, they actually make it easier for us to serve others. For if we heed them, we will serve not out of guilt, but out of inspiration from the kind but firm guidance of a wise and loving master which awakens us to a better way. Then we will lead a life that not only enriches others, but also brings sunshine and nourishment to our own hungry souls. We can live truly blessed lives!

Despite the fact that Basils words feel right to us, my interactions with thousands of people have shown me that even those who are trying to live a life committed to Christ and his teachings are uncertain how to apply these principles in their daily lives. Theyre aware of the inequities in the world and occasionally feel the emptiness of consumerism or a self-centered existence, but most honestly dont know what to do about it. Sell all and follow me comes to mind once in a while and is quickly dismissed. However, as with almost all significant changes, this is a process. No one can do it all at once. We must start the journey by taking small steps on a daily basis. Basils words offer the wisdom to help us move forward in a deliberate and meaningful way. He assists us by talking through the litany of obstacles we throw in the path of this blessed life. Unexpectedly, its very liberating to read his description of the many ways we convince ourselves that we have certain financial needs. He so eloquently describes the pitfalls and enslavement of living on credit that youll think he was speaking today.

An unexpected result of this life committed to helping others is that the giver ends up feeling that he or she received more than was given. The common response from thousands of volunteers weve hosted at Project Mexico and St Innocent Orphanage, who have built homes for the poor or assisted at the orphanage, is that they feel they received more than they gave. Our goal has been to give them a taste of serving those in need and then send them home, hopefully to continue reaching out to others in whatever way God leads.

Be forewarned that Basil pulls no punches. He is clear that many of us are actually robbing the poor by our lifestyles. It is at times strong medicine, but there is no angst or bitterness behind it. It stings, but only because it is true and correct, not because he is harsh. Though I have spent the last twenty years dedicated to serving the poor and orphans and teaching others how to do works of mercy, the words of St Basil pierced my heart and revealed how much is yet to be done in my own soul. I thank God for Fr Paul Schroeders excellent and much-needed translation. In my opinion this is the best work I have ever read about charity, works of mercy, and how to live our lives in balance.

In my lifetime, Ive met only a handful of people who are not encumbered by material concerns. They are the ones who simply give whatever is needed and whatever they have with a smile on their faces. Somehow, they seem always to have something to give; their well is constantly refilled. I suspect the rest of us are missing out on the joy and blessings this small group of people enjoys. So the answer for us is to take small steps every day, knowing that as we do so, we become more of what God intended us to be, and thus more peaceful, more joyful, and more of a blessing to those around us.

Gregory P. Yova