The Fifth Day in
the Octave of Christmas
(I John 2:3-11; Luke
2:22-35)
The first verses of
the Bible say that in the beginning God created light. Light was to establish order in a universe immersed
in chaos. The order did not last. In time the universe experienced a moral
chaos. God once again created order by
sending His Son, Jesus Christ.
Both readings today
feature light. In the gospel Simeon
calls Jesus “a light … to the nations.”
His light will reveal two great truths.
First and foremost, God loves the world.
He wants humans to share His eternal life. Secondly, to have eternal life, humans must love
in return. Above all, they should love
God. But they must, as well, love their neighbors. The first reading comments on the gospel
truth. The person who follows Jesus’
command to love stands in the light and is saved.
It is no accident that
Christmas is placed around the winter solstice.
The ascendant light symbolizes Christ’s conquering the chaos of sin and
bringing life to the world. We have to
follow the light of Christ by doing the often-hard work of love.
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