The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
New Year’s Eve is a holiday that celebrates both beginnings and endings. Many people take the opportunity to remember the year that has past- the joys, the sorrows, the challenges, and the changes. We also look forward to the New Year ahead and what it might hold. With many of the recent tragedies and political unrest that our world faces, it may seem difficult to face the beginning of this new year with anything but worry and discouragement. But as we continue to celebrate Christ’s birth during this season, we are given a reason for hope- Jesus and His presence among us. The scripture passages today remind us that Christ is our beginning and with Him there is no end. To remain focused on Christ is the only way that we can look back on the past year and see our lives with a purpose- to know God, love God and serve Him. When we look forward to 2013, we need to remain centered on Christ, since He gives us the grace we need to face all that lies ahead. He promises us that He is with us always- we are not alone no matter what the future may hold. It is for these reasons, that we truly have something to celebrate on this New Year’s Eve.
Today’s gospel reading is the beginning of the gospel of John. John does not begin with Jesus’ birth or infancy or his public ministry. John begins the gospel stating, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1: 1) Jesus- the Word of God- who “became flesh” is the reason why we have reason to hope and not despair. Through Him, we have received “grace and truth” and therefore we are able to know how to live with mercy and love. Not only does He show us how to live a holy human life, but He reveals the Father to us. We come to know the Father through Jesus, and we “become children of God” (John 1: 12) because of being united with Christ. Our beginning with Jesus is in our Baptism because “what came to be through Him was life.” (John 1: 4) Because of Christ’s life, death and resurrection our death is no longer an end, but the beginning of eternity –being with God forever. Since Jesus “made his dwelling among us” (John 1: 14) our lives have a purpose- to follow Him in loving service of God and others. When we use this perspective to evaluate our past year’s accomplishments, challenges, failures and blessings we can accurately assess what really matters, and in what ways we have or have not been able to accomplish our mission. This same vision for the future (to love and serve God and others) helps us as we consider planning guidelines for the activities of the upcoming year.
The first reading from the first letter of St. John talks about the last hour. John says those who have faith in Christ ‘have the anointing that comes from the Holy One and you have all knowledge.” (1 John 2: 20) It is this knowledge that allows us to live in this world as His followers. Because we know the truth, we must not be deceived by those around us who do not speak the truth. Our world today is filled with many lies that make it difficult to remain in the truth. Again, the only way that we can remain living in the truth is for us to remain centered on Christ and the way He calls us to live. As Christians we are able to look forward to the end times when Christ will come in glory because He has prepared the way for us. Although this will be the end of the world as we know it, this will be the beginning of our eternal life with the Lord.
As we spend time preparing for our New Year’s Eve festivities, I invite each of us to spend some time reflecting on 2012. In what ways did you live out your call to be a disciple? How did you love God more? How did you serve God? Did you love and serve others around you? As you look forward to the New Year, what are the ways that you can become more like Christ? I know many people choose a New Year’s Resolution. Maybe you can think of one way that you can live out your faith in a deeper way in the year ahead- maybe doing more service activities, maybe more regular time in prayer, maybe spending more time reading scripture or maybe trying to allow God to be with you in a very personal way in your everyday life. Whatever you decide… write it down and place it somewhere to remind you of your goal. Let this be the beginning of a New Year where Jesus is the center of your life, and let His light shine through each of us so like Him we can help dispel the darkness of this world.
Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the gift of your Son Jesus. Because of His life, we have our beginning and end in You. Help us with the grace of Your Spirit to live holy lives, and be united with you forever we pray this in Christ’s name.
AMEN
Marylynn Herchline