The Fifth Day in the
Octave of Christmas
(I John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35)
One of America’s favorite movies is all about
Christmas. The movie “It’s a Wonderful
Life” ends with a Christmas scene, but that is almost incidental to its
Christmas theme. More importantly, the
movie relates the message of this season.
It reiterates what today’s gospel and certainly the works under the
title of “John” teach so clearly. The
Word of God came as light in darkness, as good in the midst of evil. The darkness tried its best to quench the
light, but it was finally chased away.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of George Bailey who
from childhood cared about others. Things
go well for George through early adulthood.
Then the forces of darkness attack.
They leave George completely disillusioned. He wants to kill himself and is saved only
with help from on high. George is like us
at our best. We want to do good, but
darkness – usually, in our cases, selfishness – blinds our good intentions. We turn inward thinking exclusively about
what seems good for us. We reject
relying on God and continuing to care about others.
Today’s first reading assures us that the light has indeed
come to the world. The gospel passage
names Jesus as that light which dispels the darkness. If he is to defeat the darkness that
surrounds us – our selfishness -- we must stay close to him. We do this by following his commands which are
simple and not burdensome. We must love
God above all and love our neighbor like we love ourselves.
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