Strains of Christmas carols pleasantly intrude without invitation as I pause in my process of bringing a semester to conclusion. I read, and re-read, and reflect on today’s readings. Familiar story, the purification in the temple. What must it have meant to Simeon to be blessed by the presence of his Lord! It is hard to imagine the longing, the aching desire for fulfillment, that those who waited for the coming of the Messiah endured. We have difficulty appreciating the long view in our modern society. I recall my childhood, and that of my children, when it seemed that the five weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas lasted for an eternity. And today, I find myself reacting with impatience when our internet browser at home doesn’t open as quickly as the one here at work. Christmas is but a few days past and already many of us are removing reminders and changing faces for the next mini-phase of our lives. What a debt of gratitude we owe to those faithful ones who for centuries kept alive the beliefs that ultimately led to the life of Jesus. I thank God for their resoluteness.
While the actual passages from John’s first epistle are not as familiar as the presentation story, the message is - walk the talk, show me, just do it. It is hard to improve on the fundamental reality that authenticity requires action consonant with beliefs. This is true for individuals and institutions. Whenever I confront a call to challenge my steadfastness, I welcome it for the opportunity it gives me to consider the current direction of my life. It is so easy to envelop ourselves in righteousness while we interpose callousness between our hearts and the call we receive from Jesus. John reminds us this is simple, and not new - love our brother. This isn’t a conditional message, nor one with a hidden meaning. It is clear and direct. This is the hardest thing I do in my life, and frequently I don’t do it well. I thank God for the grace of reflecting on how to do more, and ask for the resolve to follow my heart and not my head.
Member of Creighton University Community
Since its inception in 1997, Online Ministries has been blessed to have myriad members of the Creighton University community offer their personal reflections on the daily scripture readings.
