Today is the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church. Both contended with heresy in their time (the mid-late 300s), working tirelessly to teach the faith and promote a deeper understanding of the Trinity.
How do we share our faith with others around us, particularly those with whom we do not agree? It’s helpful to turn to St. Ignatius’ Presupposition, his ground rule for the Spiritual Exercises.
Be “ready to put a good interpretation on another’s statement,” he writes. If someone is in error, “correct with all kindness.”
Our kneejerk reaction when we find ourselves disagreeing with someone is rarely to “put a good interpretation” on their intentions. “Kindness” is a rare breed in today’s divided culture.
As we contemplate the legacies of Saints Basil and Gregory, how might we endeavor to “correct with kindness” the wrongs in our world?
—Eric Clayton is a senior communications manager at the Jesuit Conference.