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 people to celebrate
with them. As the invitees make out time to honour the invitation they also
consider the gift to offer to the celebrant. 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). All we have are gifts
from God, cf. 1Cor 4:7. So 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. 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. Hence,
we shall rejoice and boast only in the Lord, cf. Phil 4:4; 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).
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? 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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