Reflection on Today's Readings, 4th Day of Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, Wednesday 29th December, 2021
Texts: 1 Jn. 2:3-11; Psalm 96:1-3.5b-6; Luke 2:22-35
St. John, in today's first reading, answers some questions that are very important to us. The first question is, 'how do I know that I know Jesus Christ?' He answers thus: "By this we may be sure that we know Jesus Christ, if we keep his commandments. He who says 'I know him' but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him". Our whole Christian life is built on lie if we do not keep the commandments of God. Such life built on lie cannot stand the test of time. Such a life quickly gives in to temptation. Many of us are living this kind of life, life built on lie. Jesus Christ often describes them as hypocrites. Hypocrites are fake people; they are not what they claim to be.
Knowing Jesus Christ is more than having theoretical knowledge of Him, it includes keeping His commandments. Today's gospel reading gives us Mary and Joseph as the examples of those who know God; for they kept the commandments of God. It is said, "When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord') and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'" We are called, today, to keep the commandments of God.
The second question is, 'how do I know that I love God?' He answers thus: "but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected." In these words, it is clear that to know God is to love Him. When we know Jesus Christ, we will also love Him. This means the knowledge of Jesus Christ draws us close to Him. The knowledge of Him is so charming and luring that when we know Him, we cannot do without loving Him. The failure to keep His words is a sign that we have not loved Him and we do not love Him because we do not know Him. The more we know Him, the more we love Him and keep His commandments. Mary and Joseph knew God and loved Him, for they kept His words. Simeon also knew God and loved Him and, so he is said to be righteous and devout. We will be righteous and devout if we also know God and love Him by keeping His words.
The third question is, 'how do I know that I am in Jesus Christ?' He answers the question thus: "By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." This means we are to be like Him, following His footprint. We are to be holy because He is holy; we are to love because He is love; we are to be merciful because He is merciful; we are to be forgiving because He is forgiving etc. The desire to be like Him is a sign that we are in Him.
St. John goes further to tell us that the commandment he is proposing to us is both old and new. It is old because it has been since the beginning and new because it is better understood in Christ and in us. The new understanding is that the love for God also includes the love for neighbours. He puts it thus: "Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still." To know God and love Him is to walk in the light. The commandment of God is new in Christ because of the more revelation they have in Him. Hence, in today's gospel reading, it is said of Jesus Christ, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." In Jesus Christ we understand better the commandments of God.
Almighty and invisible God, who dispersed the darkness of this world by the coming of your light, disperse the darkness of our lives and our ignorance of You, help also to keep your commandments. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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