Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we continue to celebrate the joy of this Christmas season, we are all constantly being reminded through the Scripture readings we heard today of the love and examples shown by the Lord and how all of us should be inspired by that Love, which God has always shown us all the time. We are reminded that we should walk in this path of love and as Christians, it is important that our every actions, words and deeds, our every interactions are always filled with love and compassion, kindness and God’s grace. Love is always the hallmark of what being a Christian is all about, because without love, then whatever we do in this life, all become meaningless and empty.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Epistle of St. John in which the Apostle reminding the faithful to be always committed to the path of God’s love and righteousness, and in which the examples and comparisons to Cain, one of the first among the race of mankind, was made. Contextually, Cain was one of the sons of Adam and Eve, the first ones that God had created, and he was the eldest, while his brother Abel, was younger. If we recall from the Book of Genesis, in the story of Cain and Abel, Cain struck down his own brother out of jealousy, anger and hatred, when his offerings, made not out of true love and obedience to God, was rejected while Abel’s offering was accepted by God. Cain became angry at Abel, and eventually, he killed his own brother.

Cain and Abel’s story are reminders for us that hatred can indeed be very dangerous, as it can quickly escalate and lead to very unfortunate events such as what happened to Cain in his murder of his own flesh and blood, his own brother. St. John reminded and exhorted all the faithful people of God that they must always remain in the path of love, and do not let the corruption of evil and sin to mislead them down the path of destruction. He reminds us all that unless we have love in us, then we cannot be truly good, faithful and worthy disciples of the Lord. He used the example of the rich man who enjoyed the bounties and good things of the world, but who did not move a hand to help out someone who is suffering, which is an example of selfishness and lack of love.

This is what we must be careful about, brothers and sisters in Christ, that we do not end up allowing all the pleasures, comforts, glory, fame and other attachments found in our world today from leading us down the path of disobedience and sin. We must learn to turn away from worldly desires, from our greed and ego, our pride and ambition, all of which may become serious stumbling blocks in our path towards righteousness in God. We must always be ready to resist the many temptations which may threaten to bring us into the wrong paths in life, in following the whim of our own personal ambitions and desires, all of which may lead us to cause hurt and sufferings on others, or to commit acts that bring us in direct violation of God’s Law and commandments.

In today’s Gospel passage, we then heard of the moment when the Lord called Nathanael to be one of His disciples. This Nathanael was also known as Bartholomew, and he would become one of the Twelve Apostles. As we heard from that Gospel passage, the Lord called Philip, another one of His Twelve Apostles, at Bethsaida to follow Him, and Philip then told Nathanael about the Lord, telling him how Jesus was indeed the One prophesied and promised to be the Saviour of the world, the One of Whom the prophets had spoken about. Nathanael, as a wise and learned person, aware and well-versed in the Law and the Prophets, doubted that the Lord Jesus was indeed the Saviour of the world, because He had come from the region of Galilee.

But the Lord then revealed His great Wisdom and knowledge to Nathanael, telling the latter that He knows everything about him and He knows of what he has been doing, and thus, Nathanael believed in the Lord, and decided to follow Him henceforth. The Lord revealed everything that He has planned to do to all of His disciples, and through them to us in the Church, and that was how we have received the wonders of God’s love, His truth and Good News, which He has brought upon us through Jesus Christ, His Son, Whose birth and coming into this world leads into the love of God being manifested in our world today, manifesting in the Person of the Child Jesus, Who in time went on to reveal all the things just as He had done so with Nathanael. The Lord told us all to obey His Law, that is the Law and commandments of Love.

Now, brothers and sisters in Christ, since we have received the love of God most generously shown to us in Jesus Christ, and since He has told us all to love one another just as much as we love the Lord and ourselves, let us all therefore as Christians, immerse ourselves deeply and thoroughly in God’s love, and strive to show genuine and generous love at all times, love that is selfless, pure and compassionate from our hearts, just as how the Lord has loved us all these while. It is in our love for one another, our loving actions and deeds, our caring words and compassionate ways towards our fellow brothers and sisters all around us that we can truly be faithful and good Christians, not just in mere words or formality, but truly in all things, in our hearts and minds.

May the Lord, our most loving God and Creator, therefore be with each and every one of us, and may He empower us all that we may always be full of love and compassion, and be protected and kept from all sorts of hatred, evils and anger. Let us all be truly loving in all of our ways, be loving towards God and our neighbours, our fellow brethren, so that we may truly show the world what it means to be Christians, to be loved by God and to love all, with all our hearts. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, now and always. Amen.