Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 29, 2022 - Dec. 29 - 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1 John 2:3-11 and Luke 2:22-35]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 as he walked. [1 John]
The great Dominican mystical theologian, Meister Eckhart, in the 14th century wrote: "What good is it to me that Mary gave birth to the son of God fourteen hundred years ago, and I do not also give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture? We are all meant to be mothers of God. God is always needing to be born." The birth of Jesus is not only a historical event, it is a continuing event in the lives of faithful Christians. The "incarnation" means the "Word was made flesh and dwelled among us," but continues to dwell in the world as "the Body of Christ."
The first scripture today points out that knowledge of Jesus must have skin on it. Faith is not merely an abstract consent to a list of theological propositions or the recitation of a creed. Our daily conduct must reflect our faith. Otherwise, as 1 John points out, we become liars! Our humanity and failures in conduct can make this challenge a constant effort. Conversion is a lifelong process in which we fall and get up many times. The birth of Christ and his life, death and resurrection are not a "free pass of salvation" to do whatever we want.
The Octave of the Nativity is an opportunity to reflect on the implications of the birth of Christ in us through baptism and the challenge to "put skin on" the Incarnation through our daily witness. AMEN