The Gift of Witness and Presence
In these days of the
Christmas Octave, the Word of God gradually helps us to discover the beauty of the greatest gift of God to humanity: the Word made
flesh, God’s perfect love revealed in Jesus Christ. Today's readings invite us
to reflect on this profound gift, not just as an abstract truth, but as a lived
experience of God's presence.
The Word of Life
Manifested
In this epistle, John’s
words resound with awe: “That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands
have touched, this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”
Here is a witness whose
life was forever transformed by encountering Christ. Notice the progression: hearing,
seeing, touching, each a step deeper into intimacy with God. John doesn’t
speak of a distant God but one who walked among us, shared meals, embraced the
brokenhearted, set the captives free, healed the sick, cast out demons, and
allowed his wounds to be touched after his resurrection, reconciled humanity
with God.
This is the essence of
Christmas: God is not far removed from our struggles, joys, and
sorrows. He has entered our world, taken on our flesh, and dwelt among us so
that our joy may be complete.
Our human nature, though wounded by original sin, is now
graciously elevated to access divine life, opening the way for us to be
divinized and share in the very life of God. In the stillness of
this Christmas Octave, we are reminded that our faith is not a myth or
philosophy, it is an encounter with the living Christ, the Word of Life made
visible and tangible. St John wants us to understand that being a Christian, a
disciple of Jesus is all about hearing, seeing, and touching Him, having a transformative
experience of his Love and Presence.
Running
Toward the Empty Tomb
On this Octave morning,
we are also drawn into the haste and urgency of John and Peter as they run to
the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene’s proclamation shakes them to their core: “They
have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put
him!”
Their response mirrors
the deep longing in every human heart for the divine. John, the beloved
disciple, arrives first but waits for Peter, an act of humility and deference. When they arrivesd at the empty tomb, they are met with a striking scene:
the burial cloths are folded neatly in place. At that moment, John believes.
Though he does not yet fully comprehend the mystery of the resurrection, faith
begins to take root in his heart. This powerful narrative reminds us that
faith is not a single moment but a journey, one that unfolds through various
stages of understanding and trust. The folded burial cloths
carry a profound symbolic message. In Jewish tradition, when a master finished
a meal, a folded napkin signaled to the servant that the master would return.
Similarly, the folded cloths in the tomb convey a message of hope and promise:
Jesus is not gone forever; He will return. This detail assures us that the
resurrection is not only an event of the past but a living reality, pointing us
toward the ultimate fulfillment of His promise to be with us always as the
Emmanuel.
This narrative invites
us to “run” toward Jesus with the same eagerness. During this Octave of
Christmas, we celebrate not only the birth of Christ but also the promise of
his victory over death. The same Christ born in Bethlehem is the risen Savior
who conquers sin and offers eternal life.
A Message for the Octave
of Christmas
The Octave of Christmas
is a time to bask in the light of Christ’s presence and let that light dispel
the darkness within us. The God who became tangible in Bethlehem continues to
make himself known in our lives, through Scripture, the Eucharist, and the love
we share with one another. He calls us to be witnesses like John, proclaiming
what we have heard, seen, and touched.
As we meditate on these scriptures, let us reflect on a few
questions:
- Are we aware of
Christ’s presence in the ordinary moments of our lives?
- Do we, like
John, proclaim this presence with joy, inviting others to experience it?
- Are we running
toward Jesus with the same zeal as Peter and John, or have we grown weary?
Unwrapping the Joy
Beloved in Christ, this
season is not just about looking back at the manger but also forward to the
empty tomb. The joy of Christmas is inseparably linked to the joy of Easter.
Christ, who came to dwell among us, has conquered death, sin and remains with
us today.
As we continue in the
Octave of Christmas, let us pray for hearts that remain attentive to the
miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. May we, like John, proclaim boldly what we
have seen and heard. And may we run toward him with the eager faith of those
who know the greatest gift of all has already been given.
“We write this to make our joy complete” (1 John 1:4).
Happy Feast of Nativity of Jesus to us all!!!🙏🙏🙏
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