Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123111.cfm


In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.


Everyone knows about endings and beginnings, and everyone knows about the cycles of life; but we need God's Revelation to show us that our lives with their beginnings and endings fold into the cycles of life. Despite the apparent emptiness of these endless cycles that create hopeful life and remorselessly destroy it, we are moving toward a Fullness that will be entirely satisfying. 
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, what God has ready for those who love him. 
God's revelation is the Word who became flesh and lived among us. He is the same who, when asked "Where do you live?" said, "Come and see." It's not a place you can study from afar; you have to walk with him to get there, and abide with him even as he abides with us, on the way. 
If we cannot study it from afar with our scientific telescopes, radars and spectrometers, we can hear of it within our hearts and know we belong there. 


As we end a year and enter another, we dedicate ourselves once again to the sacramental life of the Church. Through Baptism, Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders (Deacons,Priests and Bishops) Reconciliation, Confirmation, and the Anointing of the Sick we come to know God in our cyclic life. We are sustained by daily prayers, readings, personal sacrifice and gratitude for the opportunity to do something useful. On Tuesday we'll go back to work and school again, refreshed as we always are by the life of grace, and ready to abide in this world with Jesus. 

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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.

Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.

I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.

You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.