REFLECTIONS ON THE WORD – 12/24/21 (Christmas Eve)

Luke 1: 78-79

78 through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

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Blessed Christmas Eve! When we look at the life of St. Zechariah, we know that he is a person who doubted God's revelation. He became mute, and he was unable to speak from the time of the conception of John until his circumcision. As he was able to discern the will of God in silence, he was healed from his sickness. In today's gospel reading, At. Zechariah praised God for His Merciful Love, and his healing pointed to the truth of the salvation found in Christ. It was his recognition of his lowliness that led him to glorify the Lord. 

The best way to praise the Lord is by participating with devotion to the Holy Mass. After all, the word "Eucharist" means "thanksgiving." In the Eucharist, we can see the fullness of the real presence of Jesus Christ where we can see and receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We may have the same experiences as that of St. Zechariah. We may be people who experienced failures but gained success afterwards. We may be living a life of sins before, but we repented afterwards. But, what do we do after receiving such blessings? Do we praise God and give ourselves to Him in the Mass? 

Unfortunately, some of us may fall to the sin of pride when we think we are great because of what we achieve. Rather than humble ourselves before our Lord in the Mass, we may choose to prioritize our worldly satisfactions and to seek praise from others. However, by falling to pride, we may remain in the darkness of our sins, and we will become worse spiritually because of the rejecting Jesus who is the light of the world. When we thought we are already saved and there is nothing to worry about, we may have just abandoned the gift of salvation that Jesus offered to us as He humbled Himself to become like one of us. 

As we prepare for the celebration tomorrow, may we seek to be humble by praising Jesus in the Tabernacle and in the Mass always. The Bread of Life is the light of the world. As we receive Him in the Mass while acknowledging our lowliness and weaknesses, He will heal our hearts and grant us wisdom as to how we can please Him and avoid sin. By His Merciful Love, He will strengthen us in our faith as we journey to the path of eternal peace. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May God bless us and may He grant us the gift of humility. May His light shine on those who dwell in darkness and death. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic