Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - Dec. 31 - 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1 John 2:18-21 and John 1:1-18]TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019 SEVENTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS [1 John 2:18-21 and John 1:1-18] “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.” [John] The “prologue” to the Gospel According to John is like the prelude music to an opera or musical. It announces the major musical “themes” and something of the meaning of the show. The prologue to the Gospel According to John is a majestic piece of work that can stand on its own, but in reading this gospel one sees the “themes” over and over again. In the past, this prologue was considered so pivotal it was read at the end of every celebration of the Eucharist and referred to, in that way, as the “Last Gospel.” The priest and congregation genuflected at the words, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling with us!” As the year 2019 comes to an end, it could be a useful spiritual exercise to think back over the year and ask ourselves how we may have encountered “the Word made flesh” dwelling among us. The sacraments are an obvious place, but Christ may be experienced in encounters with our neighbor. The Gospel According to Matthew [25:31-45] reminds us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do to him. The stable in Bethlehem is not the only “birthplace” of Jesus Christ. His grace and truth are proclaimed in the flesh of all faithful believers. AMEN
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