Today’s Reflection Readings  are absolutely perfect for this Christmas season !  It was certainly not by random chance that God has us focusing today upon His PEFECT LOVE.

Setting the stage for this focus certainly starts with the essence of Christmas.  The birth of our Savior set in motion the most profound example of perfect, agape love the world will ever know.  A love that we can share with all those in our circle of life.  Christmas presents, yes, but those presents represent love.  They can be a representation of the ultimate, PERFECT Love of God.

In the reading from first John, chapter 4, we are addressed as “Beloved”. Other translations use the term “Dear friends”, but the intent is crystal clear.  We are loved ! The reading goes on to issue a promise from God Himself – “if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is brought to PERFECTION in us.”   Ponder that promise.  It is impossible to grasp the true magnitude of God’s PERFECT Love, but it is equally astounding to think that God’s PERFECT Love could actually be “brought to PERFECTION in us.”  I fail so often in loving others as I should.  I tend to judge while overlooking my own faults.  Yet God’s PERFECT Love is indeed possible for me.  Giving us hope that we can actually be the person God has planned for us all along. 

This concept is even more astounding when considering the promise found in verse 18.  We are reminded again, in even greater detail what this PERFECT Love looks like.  “There is no fear in love, but PERFECT Love drives out fear.”  Fear certainly has become a part of life through most of today’s world.  But this verse 18 clearly reminds us of the power of His PERFECT love.  I cling to that promise each and every day.  Knowing that I need to focus each moment on what God has for me to do today and leave the cares of tomorrow in His hands.  I have found over and over again that God is with us each and every moment and we do not need to fear tomorrow.  He actually is present in every mundane detail of our lives.

Today’s Psalm & Alleluia verses provide an exclamation to why we can rest secure in God’s PERFECT Love – for God has everything well in control.

In case we ever question if God’s PERFECT Love is enough in dealing with the specific challenges in our individual life, the Gospel provides a striking story to reassure us.  The five thousand needed food.  Of course they did, that was an obvious, mundane need.   Jesus was there and he simply took care of it.  It is so easy to think that our God couldn’t possibly be engaged with the little, seemingly insignificant issues in our life.  Yet through Matthew we see that He is in fact concerned, understanding, and involved.  If that were not enough, the story goes on to remind us that His PERFECT Love can indeed empower us to accomplish more than we could ever imagine, like walking on water.  We truly can rest secure in His PERFECT Love.

Dear Heavenly Father,  this Christmas season is the perfect time to ponder your PERFECT LOVE.  Help us to grasp and live out the promise that your PERFECT Love can indeed live through us and change us each and every day.  In the name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.