Back to reality

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122612.cfm) reminds me that we need to go back to reality.

Most of us are going back to work now, after a 4 day break. Back to reality. This is what God wants us to remember.

Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of Jesus’ birth on earth. Today we celebrate the feast of St Stephen, the first martyr. The readings talk about death, and even persecution. We see how Stephen died in the first reading, the psalmist reminds us of the last words of Jesus before he died – surrendering his spirit to God, and the gospel reminds us that we will experience persecution and death for Christ.

Morbid? Why does it seem to be the opposite of the happy day yesterday, of Christ’s birth? Kahapon birth, ngayon death?

I believe that God is telling us that we cannot live on the “highs” of yesterday – that we need to get back into the world and work. Yes, Christmas is a happy occasion, Christ was born on earth. But this is not what really saved us! More important than Christmas is Easter – Christ rising and winning over death- this gave us salvation. No matter how happy Christmas is, we should remember that it does not end there, that we need to work and do our part to build God’s kingdom on earth. We need to get our “hands dirty” as we work for God.

Am I ready to get back to reality, to the daily grind of life, and continue to work for God’s kingdom?

Father God,

Thank you for Christmas. Thank you for sending your only son to be with us, to save us. Thank you also Lord for the reminder today that we need to get back to reality. I ask that you help us be ready to get our hands dirty and continue to work for and with you, Lord. May we be ready to build your kingdom and spread your word in wherever place we may be. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-