What Keeping Of Commandments Means

 

Love is the way of the light.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Fifth Day of Christmas Octave, Friday 29th December, 2023
Texts: 1 John 2:3-11; Psalm 96:1-3,5-6; Luke 2:22-35 

St. John tells us, today, what keeping of commandments means. It means for us that we know God. He puts it thus: “By this we may be sure that we know  Jesus Christ, if we keep his commandments.” This brings to mind Jesus’ parable where the master said to his servant thus: “If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it” (Mt. 25:26-27). Our claim to know God is false when we fail to keep His commandments; we are liars.  

St. John also affirms that keeping God’s commandments proves our love for Him. He puts it thus: “whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected.” It is he who knows Him who also loves Him, for keeping His commandments is the proof of both. When we keep God’s commandments we abide in Him. St. John says, “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.” He who keeps the commandments walks in the ways of the Lord.  

It is in Christ the commandments are fulfilled

St. John also tells us, today, what makes commandments new. It is the new knowledge and understanding we bring into them. He says, “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.” Christ, the Light, shines upon the commandments to bring new understanding and knowledge for all men.  In the words of Simeon: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." Hence, it is in Christ the commandments are fulfilled.  

St. John goes further to tell us that love is the way of the light. He puts it this: “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling.” Hence, it is those who love that embrace the new commandments. Hatred is the darkness. St. John says, “But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” We are to love, not to hate. 

Prayer 

Almighty and invisible God, who dispersed the darkness of this world by the coming of your light, look, we pray, with serene countenance upon us, that we may acclaim with fitting praise the greatness of the Nativity of your Only Begotten Son. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew  Olowomuke