31 Dec, New Year's Eve, Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

 Gospel Jn 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,

    and the Word was with God,

    and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things came to be through him,

    and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

    and this life was the light of the human race;

    the light shines in the darkness,

    and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, 

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

    and the world came to be through him,

    but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own,

    but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

    he gave power to become children of God, 

    to those who believe in his name, 

    who were born not by natural generation 

    nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision 

    but of God.

And the Word became flesh

    and made his dwelling among us,

    and we saw his glory,

    the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,

    full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, 

“This was he of whom I said, 

‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me 

because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses, 

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, 

has revealed him.

Reflections:

On the last day  of the year, St. John is taking us to the beginning of time. In the fullness of time.  In St John’s Gospel the term “world” means “all creation, all created things, including all humankind” thus, Christ came to save all humankind: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (Jn 3:16-17). But insofar as many people have rejected the Light, that is, rejected Christ, “world” could also mean everything opposed to God (cf. Jn 17:14-15). Blinded by their sins, people do not recognize in the world the hand of the Creator (cf. Rom 1:18-20; Wis 13:1-15): they tend to become attached to the world and relish only the things that are of the world. But the Word, “the true light”, comes to show us the truth about the world (cf. Jn 1:3; 18:37) and to save us.

Activity:

As we arrive at the end of the calendar year, let us ask  ourselves, how  we  have lived the values and ideals of Christ.  Let us spend time reviewing the year passing by. If some of your dreams came true, thank God. If things were better  than you imagined, thank God for the same. Take  time  to count your blessings. Ask God pardon for your short comings, sins and weaknesses. Put your trust in God and say: Lord, please take care of me this  New Year.  Happy New Year 2023. 

We take this opportunity to thank Sr Fides V. FSP, for her reflections in the month of December, 2022.

Daughters of St Paul , Bandra, India wish you a Happy New Year 2023. May the new Year bring in Cheer and Goodwill, and specially God's Blessings on you and your family.