Daily Reflections

As I read the first reading today, I began to recognize the story and the Hanukkah celebration that has come from this event. I decided to google Hanukkah to get a little bit more of an understanding of this celebration. So from the website Jewish Outreach Institute:

Many Jewish holidays commemorate events invested with historical and religious meaning, and Hanukkah is no exception. Hanukkah means “ rededication,” and it commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by foreign forces. The celebration also reaffirms the continuing struggle to live by God’s commandments and to lead Jewish lives.

When all is said and done, perhaps the most important message of Hanukkah may be found in the name of the holiday itself: Dedication. When Jews have dedicated themselves, through faith and action, to the pursuit of high religious and human ideals, Judaism has been strong. That imperative, to strengthen our religion and our people, remains an important challenge at this season, in every generation. Hanukkah begins every year on the 25th of the Hebrew month of “Kislev”. This year, the 25th of Kislev corresponds to the evening of December 4, 2007.

The idea of rededicating ourselves can speak to any faith tradition. I have been reflecting on my need for rededication and affirmation of my Catholic faith, to glean new meaning and new understanding and to rededicate myself to learning and living more fully my Catholic faith. (I think I’ll purchase the Catholic Catechism for my personal library to begin this renewal process for myself.)

The Psalm reminds me of the strength of God and the strength that can come from God. As always, if I remember to ask God to be with me and to guide me with a struggle, a decision, a success, or a process, I can feel at peace knowing that God is with me and trusting that God will work through my life to show His “power, majesty, splendor and glory”.

For me, the Gospel is short and simple. Grow in what you know is right, give praise to God for all the beauty and knowledge that continues to be created for us to enjoy and learn from the beauty and knowledge that enriches our lives. To be true to ourselves and not steal the qualities, the success, or what we see as the riches of others.

Jesus has shared with us the Good News about how to love one another, to appreciate one another, to praise one another and to praise God for all that has been given uniquely to each of us. We are asked to continue to grow in our love of God and our fellow human beings and to not let those who are fearful, resentful or wrongfully prideful; steal our gifts or put to death our abilities to use our gifts to continue to enrich all of human kind.

May the peace and love of God continue to be with all of us.