Lectionary: 206
Reading 1
1 Jn 2:29–3:6
If you consider that God is righteous,
you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness
is begotten by him.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness,
for sin is lawlessness.
You know that he was revealed to take away sins,
and in him there is no sin.
No one who remains in him sins;
no one who sins has seen him or known him.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Alleluia
Jn 1:14a, 12a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: "O HOLY NIGHT"
"If you consider the holiness that is His, you can be sure that everyone who acts in holiness has been begotten by Him." –1 John 2:29
One of the main purposes of the Christmas season is to grow in holiness – to become more like God, to take on God's character. This holy Christmas time begins a holy year in a holy life, which begins a holy, eternal life. The Lord has created us to be holy as He is holy (see 1 Jn 3:3), to be "perfect in holiness" (1 Thes 5:23). We should "hunger and thirst for holiness" (Mt 5:6) and seek first God's way of holiness (Mt 6:33). We must strive "for that holiness without which no one can see the Lord" (Heb 12:14).
The Lord expects "perfect" holiness from us because He has given us the power to become holy. Because we have been begotten by Him, that is, born again, by faith and baptism, we have a new nature by which we can live a holy life (1 Jn 2:29). Even if we fall into temptation and live according to our old sinful nature, we can repent and be washed clean in Jesus' blood. Finally, the Father and the Son have given us the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, Who makes us holy. Because of new life in the waters of baptism, forgiveness through Jesus' blood shed on Calvary, and the indwelling of the Spirit, the Lord expects us to be holy as He is holy. Have a holy Christmas season.
PRAYER: Father, may my desire for holiness be stronger than my desire for pleasure.
PROMISE: "When you see the Spirit descend and rest on Someone, it is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." –Jn 1:33
PRAISE: "The reason [Jesus] revealed Himself was to take away sins" (1 Jn 3:5). Praise the Holy Name of Jesus!
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