Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop
(I John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52)
If we were asked to describe the meaning of Christmas, how
would we reply? Would we speak of a societal
surge in buying to strengthen the economy?
Economic activity is certainly characteristic of the celebration of Christmas
but hardly explains its meaning. Would
we offer the experience of family togetherness about a decorated fur tree? Surely many people celebrate Christmas at
home with loved ones who have cared for them all their lives. But there is a deeper, more comprehensive
meaning that we would want to relate.
We hardly could find a better description of the meaning of
Christmas that the familiar verse from the Gospel of John: “For God so loved
the world that he gave his only son...”
At Christmas we rejoice in our certainty of God’s love and marvel at its
enormity. God’s love moves us to come
out of ourselves – to share what we have with others. It moves us beyond families and friends to
the needy around the world.
The reading from the First Letter of John explains some of
the dynamic of divine love. God shares
his Spirit of love with us. This Spirit
drives out the fear that distances us both from God and from one another. We no longer resist God for not arranging things
as we like them. Rather, we love Him as
a Father who will bestow on us eternal life.
Likewise, we know that other people cannot do permanent harm to us. God will save us. We pray for them out of imitation of our
benevolent Father.
