Fifth Day of Christmas, December 29, 2006

Scripture: I John 2:3-11.Psalm 96:1-6. Luke 2:22-35 Mary and Joseph's obedience to the laws of the Torah are narrated to us by St. Luke in today's Gospel. Our first reading continues the first and greatest of the three letters of John and emphasizes the gift of love and faith in the Person of Jesus. In this respect it is close to the major themes of the Gospel of John: faith especially in the Book of Signs (chapters 1-12) and love in the Book of Glory (chapters 13-21). I remembered a reflection on St.John whom I believe died in Ephesus where the earliest church in his name exists in marvelous archaeological reconstruction in the city of Ephesus. Neaby this site is the mountain where the home of Mary is said to have existed. Here is the reflection about St.John as given by St. Jerome in his commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, chapter 1,6: "In his old age at Ephesus Blessed John the Evangelist could barely be supported into Church on the arms of his disciples nor could he say more than a few words when he got there. At each service he could only repeat:'My little children, love one another.'Finally the disciples and brothers who were present, wearied by such constant repetition, said to him:'Master, why do you always say the same thing?'The reply was worthy of John:'Because it is the Lord's command, and if you do only this, it suffices." I really like that citation whether it be legend or the truth. The content of it does fit the Gospel and the message of the Johannine Epistles. I also believe that Mary and Joseph had such love for the precepts of God that they obeyed the ritual of purification and the celebration of the three major feasts of their Jewish religion throughout their lives. Jesus himself did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it even to the little markings on the letters of the Torah. Thus for the Christmas season the virtues of love, obedience, and profound faith of the heart are what I take from today's readings. Finally, I love the hymn of Simeon who takes the child Jesus in his arms and says what is now my regular night prayer: "Now, Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace; you have fulfilled your word. For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed displayed for all the peoples to see: A light to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel." We move from Jesus who is a child to Mary and Joseph who are mature adults to the ancient Simeon and the widow Anna. That is what Christmas should be--the uniting of all ages in the family of God. Amen.