The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
The first reading (1 John 2: 3-11) makes a connection between two themes not related anywhere else in the scriptures – light/darkness and brotherly love/hatred. John is very logical as he lays out what he terms a “new commandment” (1 Jn 2:8). He begins by suggesting that relationship with God (John calls it ‘knowing’ God: 1 Jn 4-5) necessarily involves keeping the commandments/word. Then he proceeds to suggest that the commandment he is talking about is the commandment of love. Finally, he draws the connection between light/darkness and brotherly love/hatred. The seriousness of John’s final statement must not be missed: “Whoever hates his brother is in darkness” (1 Jn 2: 11a). The source of this darkness lies inside the human person – an internal blindness caused by a refusal to be obedient to the commandment of love (1 Jn 2: 11b) The bottom line is this – all hatred as darkness is incompatible with the light of Christian life.
Surprisingly, the contrast between light and darkness appears also in the gospel reading. At the Jewish custom of purification, Jesus is presented to Simeon at the temple. Simeon's spontaneous song refers to "a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” Jesus is the light in more ways than Simeon orginally spoke about. Jesus' light especiaily was the "love" that he made known to all peoples. Jesus' love both of God and for the human person was at the centre of his preaching. He called each believer to love God with his/her whole being and to love his/her neighbor as God love him/her.
In the days following Christmas, we can understand and practice the Christmas message even more clearly. Christmas itself is a celebration of love. As we still continue to celebrate Christmas, let us think of ways in which we can make Christmas love even more real. Is there a hungry person we can feed or an unclad person we can clothe? Is there a person to whom we can offer forgiveness or a resentful person we can pray for? Is there a hurt person from whom we can seek forgiveness and a sick person we can help?
In any case, the bottom line is this - love is the reason we are Christian and Christ is the reason why we love.
-Fr. Satish Joseph