REFECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS 30TH DECEMBER 2023

REFECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS 30TH DECEMBER 2023

1John 2:12-17; Ps.96; Luke 2:36-40

Preserving the Joy of Christmas

In the gospel reading of today, Anna the prophetess represents all who wait upon the Lord. Like Anna, we are never disappointed. No matter how long it takes, the Lord is always true to his promises. Today, Anna is seen giving thanks and showing the new born king to all as a sign that her long years of prayer were not in vain. Similarly, we rejoice at Christmas because the Lord has come to redeem us.

It is to us who have been redeemed by the coming of the Messiah that the first reading is addressed. John, in his first letter, gives us the secret to preserving the joy of the Lord’s presence in and with us: Do not love the world or the things in the world. This is because the demand of the world is contrary to the demands of our Christian faith. So, to love the world will mean to turn against God. When we turn against the Lord, we loose the joy of his presence.

What John condemns is love of the things of the world and not the use of them. We are in the world and so we cannot do without using the things of this world. However, in using them, we must not love them. To love means that we will do just anything to get them; to love them means to price them above our relationship with God; to love them means we will use our neighbours as stepping stones to acquiring them rather than using them to serve our neighbours.

The love of the things of the world destroys our relationship with God and with our fellow men. We may not be quick to realize this because wealth, while it abides, does not give the slightest indication that it will expire. Friends will abound around us; but soon we will realize that it was our wealth that they loved not us. Those who love the world will expire with it. Only those who do the will of God will abide forever.

It is not until we are materially rich that we can be guilty of loving the things of this world. Love of the world is more of a matter of attitude than possession. Beloved, never be too busy to have time for God. Whatever distracts you from spending good time with Lord is already becoming the object of your love.