Word to the Wise
Monday, January 6, 2025 - Monday after Epiphany, or Jan. 7
[1 John 3:22-4:6 and Matt 4:12-17, 23-25]We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit whom he gave us. [1 John]
The Letters of John reflect the traditions that found their roots in the preaching of disciples of the apostle John and reflect a community that was not Jewish in origin. The Letters repeat many of the themes that are found in the Gospel According to John. The first scripture assigned for the celebration of the Eucharist today is a rather concise summary of a portion of the Last Supper discourse - John 15:9-17. Faith in Jesus as the one whom God has sent, "remaining" in that faith through the Spirit that Jesus gave, and loving one another as he has loved us are the elements that are essential for a Johannine disciple.
The Johannine community grew outside of Palestine and in the midst of many swirling religious traditions and cults. Staying "on message" was one of the primary challenges. All the traditions of Christmas have been celebrated and the nativity scene may be back in a box to wait another year. But we are called to live the significance of the Incarnation on a daily basis. The demands of our social and political, and even religious culture, require a deliberate effort to "stay on message." What happened in Palestine more than 2,000 years ago has to continue NOW. To paraphrase the great 13th-14th century Dominican mystic, Meister Eckhart: "What good is it that Christ was born so many centuries ago if he is not born again in me every day?" AMEN