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.                                                                                                                                                                                       

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

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.  “It’s a Wonderful Life” ends on Christmas night, but that is almost incidental.  More importantly, the movie relates the message of this season.  It reflects what today’s gospel and first reading teach more clearly.  The Word of God has come as light in darkness, as good amid evil.  The darkness has tried to quench the light, but it is banished.

 “It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of George Bailey who from childhood cares about others.  Things go well for George through early adulthood.  Then the forces of darkness close in.  They leave George so completely depressed that he attempts to kill himself.  Only interference from above saves him.  George is like us at our best and our worst.  We begin with good intentions and worthy actions.  Then darkness – usually selfishness – blinds us to what is right.  We seek what seems good for us.  In the extreme we reject both God and neighbor.  Thanks be to God we are saved from excessive concern with self. 

 Today’s first reading reveals the light that saves us.  The gospel passage names him as Jesus.  If he is to dissipate the darkness of our selfishness, we must follow his two simple commands.  We are to love God above all and our neighbor as ourselves.

 

Friday, December 29, 2017

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.