Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 29, 2023

Date:  Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

 Scripture Text:  1 John 2:3-11

Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 The first reading today continues our reading of the 1st Letter of John. In it John stresses to the faithful in the Christian community that knowing Christ leads us to follow his commandments. John’s words remind us of Jesus’ final discourse with his disciples in which He told them to love one another as He has loved us. Indeed, we find that John’s first letter focuses on love as not only a requirement for Christ’s followers but a measurement of one’s relationship with our Savior, “the light of the world” in whom we trust.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I have difficult and strained relationships with others? Do I seek the LORD’s help to reconcile? Do I open myself to Christ’s love and seek to see others as Christ sees them?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, your light shines in our lives, illuminating our minds and hearts as we pick up our individual crosses and seek to follow You in your footsteps. Send your Spirit to help us most especially in our relationships with our sisters and brothers. Grant that we may be given a share of your compassion and love so that we might love others as You have loved us. We pray that our journey daily brings us closer to You and to our heavenly Father in the Spirit. Amen.