Octave of Christmas
27th December 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Proper
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 John 1:1-4
Beloved: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 (R. 12a)
R/. Rejoice in the Lord, you just.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you. .
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : John 20:2-8
On the first day of the week: Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: Contagious Love!
Guidlines: True Love is so contagious that it touches and transforms all and whole. If only everyone tries to be a little more affected by this positive contagion, people will become more sane and healthy{alertSuccess}
1. The celebration of Christmas is a celebration of love. During this Christmas octave, we continue to be under its powerful spell. Joy is dancing around vibrating in the whole atmosphere. This love continues to surround us as we celebrate the feast of John, the beloved disciple. This is a dominant and significant qualification that is given of him. He is “the apostle of love”. And he is one who draws our focus on God as Love.
2. It is a love that is rooted in a very deep personal intimacy with the Lord. This is very evident in John’s words in his first letter in the first reading: “We have seen with our eyes, we have heard, we have looked upon and touched with our hands. Consequently, there is also a mission that is to proclaim to others the same Lord and word of life and testify to it.
3. There is also a clear purpose: so that others too may have fellowship with us because we ourselves have fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And that our joy may be complete.
4. Thus, the picture is complete: there is an intense passionate love for the Lord. This manifests in inseparable intimacy. This personal communion leads to a committed mission of bearing witness to him in word, both proclaimed and written and life example.
5. This should be so for every believer and follower of the Lord. Love the Lord and be loved by him. This feeling, experience and relationship of loving the Lord and being loved by him, fosters the most profound warmth, confidence, vibrancy, joy and commitment, leading to a life of love and witness. This is what is seen in St John.
Practice: We need not do extraordinary things for God. Just love Him and love passionately and it will do the rest.{alertSuccess}