December 30 2020 - Sixth Day of Christmas - To love Christ More

 During the Octave of Christmas, our first readings are taken from the first Letter of Saint John whose feast is celebrated two days after Christmas. In his old age, the apostle writes to his spiritual children to guide them in growing in Christian maturity—that the life and light and “love of God might be perfected” in them.  Like his Gospel, this letter is profound, yet simple.  Mysterious, yet clear enough for a child to understand it.  

John begins his letter urging Christians to believe in the one born on Christmas—"what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon, and touched with our hands.” God truly took on flesh and was able to be heard, and seen and touched. Yesterday, John urged us to follow the commands of the Christ, most importantly the command to love. If we continue to hate our brother, while claiming to be a disciple, we are deceiving ourselves. Love for God, love for Christ, love for our neighbor must characterize our life. 

Yet, as we heard today, we must not love the world. “For all that is in the world,” john says, “sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.” 

This is a hard message because the world is enticing and seductive. Who hasn’t allowed the world or the things of the world to distract us from loving God as we should?

Christmas is celebrated with such great joy, throughout the Christmas octave and Christmas season, we continue to reflect upon the event of God taking flesh, being born in a stable to the most holy Virgin, so that we may deepen our love for him, that when faced with the inevitable temptations and seductions of the world, we may cling to the Christ. 

Especially as we enter into a new year, we do well to identity an object or an activity, a pastime, that we need to love less, that we may love Christ more. 

To love Christ more: that is the gift God offers to each of us at Christmas. To love him more than the passing enticements of the world. And to allow that love to animate our lives, to form the way we treat others, to deepen our conviction for spreading his Gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.

That the joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth bring renewed conviction for Christ’s truth to the Pope, all bishops, clergy, and lay faithful.

That our President and all leaders of nations may protect and promote religious liberty for all. 

For the young people of our parish and school, that they may be blessed with faith-filled homes, centered on Christ Jesus, that they may not become enamored with the things of the world, but be encouraged to live for Him.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord