In the Light

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122916.cfm) reminds me that I should always live in God's light. 

Whenever there are bazaars where Tshirts are sold, it is not unusual for stores to use UV lights or the violet / light blue bulbs. When I was a kid, I asked my parents to buy a shirt because I really liked it on display under that kind of light. However, when we got home, I was disappointed because under the normal bulb, it looked different! I eventually found out that those lights make things looks better. And the real light, the white lights, really expose the real nature, the real appearance of things. This is what the light of God does.

God’s light exposes the truth.

The first reading reminds us that if we want to really be in and stay in the light, we need to live a life consistent to God’s ways. It is not a one-time decision or once a year action. We cannot say we love Jesus and are followers of Him if we do not always live like it. Being a true Christian is more than just saying it. We need to live it every day, in little and big things. This is what it takes to live in the light of Christ. We need to choose Christ in the little and big decisions that we make every day.

In the gospel, we see a man living this. Simeon was a righteous and devout man, and we see that the Spirit is with him. We can tell that he is living a life consistent with Christ’s values, since he felt and obeyed the Spirit, and as shown when he recognized Jesus in the temple. If we live right, if we live in the light, then we will recognize God visiting us. We will recognize God when he comes to us, no matter what form he takes – be it as a helpless child, a person in need, or an annoying person who needs comfort and understanding.

Christmas day is over, and for some, today is another working day. The last one for the year. However, may we never forget the essence of Christmas. Though Christmas day is over, may we continue to live the values of Christmas. It is easy to profess our faith. What’s more challenging is actually living it day by day. 

May we be inspired and challenged by the Word today to strive to live a life of faith, to live a life in the light of Christ - always. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for this last working day of the year. Thank you for being patient with me. Lord, sorry for not always living in your light. Sorry for being moody in doing your work. Sorry for not consistently living in the way you want me to. Lord, I ask that you help me live and stay in the light. There are a lot of things that distract me in living a life you want me to. Give me the grace and the strength to remain consistent with your word, to live a life pleasing to you, to live and stay in the light and shine with you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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December 29, 2016
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 202

Reading 1 1 Jn 2:3-11

Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia Lk 2:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”