Homily (Reflection) for the Nativity
of the Lord (Mass during the Day) (A, B, C) on the Gospel
Is 52:7-10;
Ps
97:1-6. (R.v. 3);
Heb
1:1-6;
Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5.9-14.
Take a moment to reflect on how you will feel if on
your birthday, one or some of your guests vow to make things go wrong. What
they do and/or say testify that they are out just to ruin your day.
Topic: Your gift to the newborn Christ.
Birthday is one of the most common
anniversaries we have. It is normally a great day for the celebrant, and
probably family members and friends who normally invite friends and
well-wishers to celebrate with them. As the invitees make out time to honour
the invitation they also consider the gift to offer to the celebrant. As a
result of this, the celebrant normally receives varied gifts.
We celebrate today the Birthday of
birthdays. We are celebrating today that the Word was made flesh for our
salvation. Despite the fact that the hair has been made, different styles of
clothing sewn, shoes bought, houses built, cars bought, and so on and on just
for this period, we are also to prepare birthday gifts for Him who was born for
us. All these things mentioned and many more are for ourselves not for Him.
Gifts say so much about both the giver and how he or she values the receiver.
Today’s gospel pericope reads in part:
“All things came into being through him, without him not one thing came into
being…. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (Jn. 1:3, 16). In reply to his
disciples, John the Baptist said: "No one can receive anything except what
is given him from heaven” (Jn 3:27).
And Saint Paul questioned, “What have you that you did not receive? If then you
received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1Cor 4:7). Since we received everything from God, not even offering
everything to him will make us think that we have done much. Hence, Jesus
taught us: “… when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are
worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” (Lk 17:10). We are nothing before God,
cf. Rom 4:2. According to St
Ambrose, “Every soul who has believed both conceives and generates the Word of
God and recognizes his works” just as Mary believed and conceived. We celebrate
life which is light for all peoples, cf. Lk
2:32. And as we celebrate Christ’s birthday, he expects us to offer our
lives which ought to be light for others, cf. Matt 5:14.
Just as John the Baptist came as a
witness to Christ's first coming which we celebrate today, cf. Matt. 3:11; Mk 1:7; Lk 3:15-16; Jn 1:6-9,
we ought to be witnesses that He has come, that He is with us, and that He will
come again with our lives. We are called to witness to Christ until He comes
again, cf. Mk 8:38; Lk 9:26. In this
alone we shall find peace and joy. Nothing outside God can offer us anything
good. Saint Paul tells us: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,
Rejoice” (Phil 4:4). And for the
Psalmist, it is in the Lord that we are to boast, cf. Ps 34:2. Let us celebrate this Christmas as Christ’s witnesses.
Through prophet Jeremiah God said: “but let him who glories glory in this, that
he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practice steadfast love,
justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says
the LORD” (Jer 9:24). And the book
of Ecclesiastes reads,
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of
your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God
will bring you into judgment (Eccl 11:9).
Looking at some public places and even
private homes also, one will know that something is happening. The actual end
of the Advent season is yet to come. Christmas is not the end. How one plan to
celebrate Christmas says it all how much one understands the mystery we are
celebrating, the Nativity of the
Lord. Most often we see it just from the social point of view. One can either
be a source of pride or of shame to Christ on this birthday. We can ask
ourselves whether we present basket of flowers or of shame to Christ. What one does during this Christmas
period and not just what one say says it all. We are all invited to Christ’s
birthday. Every host regrets inviting one or those who will mar the event. Will
Christ regret offering you this rare invitation? Christmas is Christ's feast as
well as ours. He has come to take our sins away, cf. 1Jn 3:5. Prepare your own gift now if you have not. You still can
prepare a better one if the one you prepared is not good enough for the newborn
King.
Do not forget the poor out there as
you look for Christ to present your gift/s. That man or woman or child out
there in need of your help is the Christ we are celebrating his birthday. Do
not look for another one, cf. Matt 25:
40, 45.
Bible Readings: Acts 17:28; Rev. 21:1-8; Matt 10: 32-33; Lk 17:7-10.
Thought for today: What do you have for Christ?
Let us pray: Newborn King, give us the grace to be good birthday gifts to you – Amen.
The Word
became flesh – and lived among us! (Jn 1:14).
May the
peace and the love of the newborn King be with you now and forever + Amen.
You are free
to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
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