Love: our real joy this Christmas

5th day within the octave of Christmas

Luke 2:22-35

Blessed are those whose Christmas did not end on December 25; rather, is just starting as of December 25 till today and forever.

In the First Reading, St. John reminded the Christians to make their faith tangible and practical instead of being profound and abstract.  The one who knows God keeps his commandments.

We are presented with two sets of commandments, the old and the new.  The old command are practical norms of serving God and others.  The new commandment is declared by Jesus, "Love one another as I have loved you."

In the Gospel, Simeon was waiting all his life for the consolation of Israel through the coming of the Messiah.  The Jews are generally expecting a temporal Messiah; but Jesus brings much more.  He brings about the total redemption of men and women from sin.

This Christmas Season, its truly lasting effects are found in the hearts of men and women.  We may be following all commands, but if we don't have love in our hearts, all our actions account to nothing.  On the other hand, if we like Simeon, who desired at last to rest because he had seen the Messiah, would desire for total conversion of mind and heart in Jesus alone, then, we would rejoice in incarnating him in our lives and sharing him to others.  This becomes our real joy: to love others as Jesus loves us.


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