Homily: Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Homily: Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas (1 John 2:12-17) (The Flesh Became Sacred)
We can get the impression that the world is an evil place when we read through the New Testament. Quite often we have a contrast presented between the things of this world and the things of God. We have such a contrast painted in the First Letter of John today.
We must be careful with this language though because we can start being pessimistic about the life we lead in the here and now. We might feel like life is one big waiting game until we can escape our present existence.
But there are two things that we need to keep in mind. One is that we read in Genesis how God made the world good. At the end of each day of creation God steps back and sees what he has created is good (Genesis 1:3ff). The second thing that we remember during the Christmas season is that Jesus became flesh. In doing this, Jesus took on a physical reality. Because Jesus became flesh every physical thing is connected to him. He is sacred so the physical world is sacred.
If we believe that the world is evil, then we have no trouble mistreating and abusing it. The world and all that is in it are only to use and escape. If we believe the world is fundamentally good, then we try to enjoy the things of this world and try to realize that people will come after us who will need to live here.
The reading from John is not about declaring this world as evil, but it is about asking how we will view the world. Do we want to have a pessimistic view of how we will live in this world or an optimistic view? Jesus came so that we might find joy in our existence in this world and ultimate joy when we share in the resurrection.
Our body is not just a vessel that contains our soul, but our body is sacred and will rise from the dead at the end of all time. Jesus came and lived among us to show us how we are to live in this world and to blaze a trail for us into the next.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I pessimistic about my life in this world or am do I enjoy my life here? What impacts my view of this world?
- Does the mystery of the Incarnation impact how I view the material world? How?
Dear Parishioners,
I would just like remind you that directed retreats will be offered at St. Mary Monastery in Milan starting on Sunday of Martin Luther King Day weekend. Many of our parishioners have made this retreat through the years. This is a silent retreat where the retreatant meets with a spiritual director once a day. I will be one of the directors. This retreat lasts from Sunday to Wednesday evening.
This is a wonderful way to begin a New Year. There has been a lot that has happened the last two years. It is good to process things. I was able to make an eight day retreat this past summer. It was good for me to reflect and pray about things. Every event in our life can carry a deep meeting. God is in all that happens, but we need to take time to see.
If you want to go attend the directed retreat call Benet House for a reservation at 309-283-2108.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark