The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
This seventh day of the Christmas Octave and last day of our calendar year beckons us to set aside time for reflection. While it is a challenge In the hustle and bustle of Christmas holidays, festivities and New Year’s gatherings…the richness of today’s Gospel is a ‘spiritual delicacy’ worth savoring, a well-aged fine beverage to sip slowly.
Find some time to re-treat in a quiet moment with God.
The beginning of John’s Gospel is God’s love greeting to us. From the very beginning in God, light, love and the Word are one and a gift to the whole human race. In Jesus, the Word made Flesh is inviting us to dwell deeply in the promise of the Incarnation - God’s light which enlightens everyone is a gift to be appreciated and shared!
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace is a powerful gift and promise to us. Theologically, the concept of grace expresses God’s undeserved love, kindness and mercy. Grace is a gift given freely without considering our successes or failures. We are loved and forgiven unconditionally. The repetition of grace in the verse implies that our God’s generosity is boundless and inexhaustible and is always available to us, who are always in need of grace. As believers we receive the gift of God’s assistance of insights and other spiritual blessings in an ongoing, unfolding experience.
As you reflect upon the past year,
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What graces have you received ?
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How has Christ been born in you ?
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What insights have come, i.e. how have you been enlightened?
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How has God’s presence helped overcome darkness?
As you look toward the new year,
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How can you more regularly take time to dwell with the Word, and to be open to God’s grace and revelation, so you can share from this gift freely given.
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Where and to whom are you called to bring God’s light, love, kindness and mercy?
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How might you be more open and generous ?
As we savor the beautiful words of today’s Gospel, and the continued spiritual gifts of this Christmas season with its Scriptures and carols, may we each welcome and accept the gifts that dwelling with God brings, and know more deeply the grace of being children of God. Tomorrow we will celebrate Mary, Mother of God - the God bearer who is full of grace! In her generosity, she companions and assists us in our journeys as God’s children. May we not hesitate to Invite her help! In the year ahead, may God grace each of us with deeper openness and generosity and the courage of being truth-seekers and light-bearers in our world.
—Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI