Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": December 31

December 31, 2013: 7th day of Christmas octave

Readings

1 Jn 2:18-21 It is the last hour, and many antichrists have appeared, but you have God's anointing and knowledge of the truth.

Ps 96:1-2, 11-13 "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!" Announce the Lord's salvation; he comes to rule the earth with justice.

Jn 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word who was God. Life and light came through him. God sent John to testify to the light so all might believe. The Word was in the world, but the world did not know or accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become God's children. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory. From his fullness we all received; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The only-begotten Son, God, has revealed God.

Pope Francis

Vespers: A sense of history permeates lives signed by faith in Christ. To us time is a linear path to a conclusion. A passing year is a step towards our goal: a place of hope and happiness where we'll meet God, our hope and joy. Collect the time we've lived and offer everything to the Lord. Look toward the new year, grateful for what we've received, repentant for our failures, and resolving to work with God’s grace to better our lives and communities.

Gospel Joy (Evangelii Gaudium drill-down), continuing Chapter 3 (a series):

Preparing to preach deserves quality time for study, prayer, reflection, and creativity; dedicate the time even if you have to cut back elsewhere. Trust in the Holy Spirit at work during the homily is active and creative, demanding that we offer ourselves as God's instruments. A preacher who doesn't prepare is dishonest and irresponsible with the gifts he's been given. (3.III, 145, pp. 114-115)

Reflections

Creighton: We look back as we continue to move ahead. The Word was in the beginning, became flesh, is now, and will remain.

RC.net: To the Jews the “word of God” was active, creative, and dynamic; it was also equated with wisdom. “While silence enveloped all, and night was half gone, your powerful word leapt from heaven into the land that was doomed, a warrior carrying the sword of your command” (Wis 18:14-16) Jesus is God's wisdom and power. We needed to be healed and raised up; we needed light, a savior, a liberator. The Son of God worked with human hands, thought with a human mind, acted with a human will, and loved with a human heart.