TODAY’S READINGS

While today, January 6, is traditionally Epiphany, since that feast has been moved to Sunday, we get an extra day of the Christmas Season. The first reading is from 1 Jn 5:5-13. This first letter from the beloved disciple is so rich and powerful, it has been a wonderful companion during much of this joyous season.

Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (v. 5)

“This is another case of Johannine shorthand: by ‘faith’ and ‘believes’ John sums up all that comes through this faith — confession of Jesus as the true Son of God, abiding in Christ, the life and witness of the Spirit within, and the power of God through our fellowship with him. It is by our faith that we are enabled to overcome the disordered desires of the world, to proclaim the gospel, to endure persecution, to love our enemies, even to change the world. As Rev 12:11 says, ‘They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb / and by the word of their testimony; / love for life did not deter them from death.” (James, First, Second, and Third John [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture], 226)

Powerful stuff, huh? ”Victor over the world”? The devil’s playground? Yes, we have victory if we believe, and by that is meant not simply faith but faith working through love. Note the commentary above regarding what needs to be done (for starters): overcoming disordered desires, proclaiming the Gospel (through word and deed), enduring persecution, and loving our enemies. Would not we be looking at a very different planet if these traits were overwhelmingly predominant? There are plenty of self-help books on the market, but there is only one Word we need in order to change the world — beginning by changing ourselves.

Christ has conquered the world, the flesh, and the devil through His life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension. He invites us to join Him in taking up our cross to make a difference here and to ultimately inherit eternal life (hopefully bringing many souls with us — see Lk 15:7).

Just a quick note on the last line of the Gospel reading, in which God the Father speaks to God the Son from the heavens upon the latter’s baptism:

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mk 1:11)

All of us who are baptized are children of God. Made, not begotten, it’s true, but really brothers and sisters in Christ. Would not we all love to hear these words from the Father, much less our earthly fathers? Would we actually hear these words based on the state of our lives right now? Maybe for some things and not for others? What is lacking? Worth pondering deeply every day before our judgment day.

God bless.

This fifth century mosaic, inspired by Psalm 91, is located in the Archiepiscopal chapel in Ravenna. Christ is represented as a chivarlic Emperor, holding not a sword, but a cross over his shoulders because His kingdom is of an utterly radical life-giving and evil-conquering nature, unlike the kingdoms of the Fallen World System. The book He holds open that reads, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”