https://paxcommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ChristmasCandlelight2022.jpg
1st Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
2nd Reading: Titus 3: 4-7
Gospel: John 1: 1-18
Homily: Vince Cushing OFM (summarized from notes taken)
I have just a few words and they are quite simple. I would title my reflections “Looking at the crib is not enough for an adult Christian” when trying to express what Christmas is truly about.
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide lovely narratives about the birth of Jesus in a manger. They are each a wonderful understanding of Christmas, but when I think of Christmas anymore, I think about the Gospel of John which is quite different. Why does he write differently (about the birth of Jesus)?
The Gospel of John was written some 60 years after the birth of Jesus. It reflects 60 years of discipleship among Christians who were mostly converts from Judaism as they embraced a more mature understanding of who Jesus was/is and the role he plays in their (our) lives…Jesus was someone who came amongst – and stayed amongst – them (us).
John talks about Jesus in a special way: The Word made flesh. “The Word” is a special term laden with meaning. It expresses the very grammar of God, spoken to us in words we can understand, words destined to be part of our lives and which will transform our lives. John speaks of what God has done for us: You and I were baptized in Jesus Christ, confirmed in the Holy Spirit, and are nourished by the Holy Meal (Eucharist). We need to look at Jesus’ generosity and ministry to fully understand God.
When I was a youngster attending a parochial school, we were all sinners who needed to be saved. What a strange message for a 10-year-old boy who didn’t even know what sin was.
Christian faith does not mean we are all born sinners in need of repentance. God loves us and God/Jesus has a personal encounter with our life. Christmas isn’t only about Jesus, but also about us and God in our life.
And the Word became flesh and stayed for a little while among us…. Jesus chose to pitch his tent among us, (became a) Tabernacle for the people in historical times. In our time, the temple of Jesus (resides) in our humanity, soul, lives. The Word is not an abstract doctrine.
Greek texts use the word “sarx” which means flesh. The deep character of our lives, our faith, and our being are penetrated by God; we are in a deep personal relationship with God. Christmas is the seed of God in your out life, in our encounter with Jesus.
God has called us to a way of life. Jesus said, “I came that you might have live and more abundantly.” “I am the Way, the Truth, the Light” for us to live out in our human existence.
This is the vocation of a Christina light and life. The grace of God is working within us and ought to effect the way we live, love, care,….
The real problem is although the Gospels spoke about this, we have succeeded in ignoring the message. Pick up the daily newspaper to confirm this. Look at…the terrible human abuse, extreme hunger, sexism, terrible greed – not things that foster life. What does foster life come from the human heart transformed by Jesus.
In the earliest years of the Church, Christians understood the Glory of God is the human person fully alive. Our hearts, minds, and work of our hands reflect how God has loved and blessed us.
I have spent most of my life trying to understand who I am and who God is. It’s a simple as that. And yet I am not a simple person. I’m now retired and I find retirement quite difficult. I can’t walk, my hearing has gone, I’ve had cataracts, and I hope it stops there.
Meditation: The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
