“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
29th December 2021
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WEDNESDAY, CHRISTMAS OCTAVE
1 Jn 2: 3-11; Ps 96: 1-3,5-6; Lk 2: 22-35
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JESUS CHRIST – THE SELF REVELATION OF GOD
Wrapped gifts evoke a sense of mystery. Similarly, plaques of new constructions are shrouded with a veil until they are inaugurated. The world waited for a long time to know God. But he was always hidden from the sight of men; glimpses of him were seen in his creation, in the prophecies and his salvific acts, like the deliverance of the people of Israel from the Egyptians. Ultimately, however, the shroud was removed and the world finally witnessed God in the person of Jesus Christ. Christmas is this celebration of the unwrapping and unveiling of the mystery of God. We have come to know that Jesus is God fully revealed.
The readings of today, the fifth day of the octave of Christmas, precisely point to this fact. St John describes in the first reading how we can come to know Jesus Christ by keeping his commandments. The commandments not only invite us to submit to his divine authority but more specifically call us to accept them as the revelation of the nature of Jesus. The commandments that Jesus instituted, such as the love of God and of neighbour, are the disclosure of his identity – that he is love. Therefore, we come to know Jesus by keeping his commandments.
But what does this knowing mean? Knowing Jesus is not an intellectual ‘knowing’ but a change of heart! It is a metamorphosis of the self, where we, to whom the gift has been granted of knowing him through his revelation, are also attested that we are worthy recipients of the gift. It is the only gift where the gift is the giver himself. And in receiving this gift, we cannot but share it with others through our words and deeds! Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who was waiting to encounter God, received this gift and he couldn’t contain his joy. We too have received this gift in a higher degree through God's self revelation. Let us also share it through our lives.
Response: Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
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