Daily Retreat 01/10/09
2009 Jan 10 Sat: Christmas Weekday
1 Jn 5: 14-21/ Ps 149: 1-2. 3-4. 5 and 6a and 9b/ Jn 3: 22-30
From today’s readings: “Children, be on your guard against idols.... The Lord takes delight in His people.... He must increase; I must decrease.... ”
Wrapping up the Christmas season
Although profoundly poetic, especially in the ecstatic meditations on the nature of divine Love, the first letter of John is not the easiest book of the Bible to read from start to finish - there’s quite a bit of jumping around from one topic to another, and there’s not a strong structure to suggest a sense of direction.
However, that observation is not meant to dismiss the letter in any way - only to offer a warning when reading to compensate for some of the confusion that’s bound to arise. Since St. John does not shrink from addressing some of the most profound implications of faith in Jesus, it’s no wonder that he doesn’t always complete every explanation and connection - it would simply take too many words to adequately explain!
Yet what he does write is so deep - it’s no wonder the Church prescribes reading this whole letter right after Christmas in order for us to begin to fathom the mystery of the birth of Christ in the world! And so, my recommendation is that you join me in re-reading the whole letter today, thereby igniting once again the light of Christmas faith for the whole year that lies before us! Parts of the letter are refreshingly blunt and lucidly unforgettable, but other passages might seem esoterically cryptic, at least until complementary biblical texts are encountered in future lectionary readings. But be patient - they will come! “Beloved: We have this confidence in Him....”
1 Jn 5: 14-21/ Ps 149: 1-2. 3-4. 5 and 6a and 9b/ Jn 3: 22-30
From today’s readings: “Children, be on your guard against idols.... The Lord takes delight in His people.... He must increase; I must decrease.... ”
Wrapping up the Christmas season
Although profoundly poetic, especially in the ecstatic meditations on the nature of divine Love, the first letter of John is not the easiest book of the Bible to read from start to finish - there’s quite a bit of jumping around from one topic to another, and there’s not a strong structure to suggest a sense of direction.
However, that observation is not meant to dismiss the letter in any way - only to offer a warning when reading to compensate for some of the confusion that’s bound to arise. Since St. John does not shrink from addressing some of the most profound implications of faith in Jesus, it’s no wonder that he doesn’t always complete every explanation and connection - it would simply take too many words to adequately explain!
Yet what he does write is so deep - it’s no wonder the Church prescribes reading this whole letter right after Christmas in order for us to begin to fathom the mystery of the birth of Christ in the world! And so, my recommendation is that you join me in re-reading the whole letter today, thereby igniting once again the light of Christmas faith for the whole year that lies before us! Parts of the letter are refreshingly blunt and lucidly unforgettable, but other passages might seem esoterically cryptic, at least until complementary biblical texts are encountered in future lectionary readings. But be patient - they will come! “Beloved: We have this confidence in Him....”
posted by FrPitstick | 1/09/2009
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