Wednesday, December 29, 2021

 

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.                                                                                                                                                                                       

No comments: