(Optional Memorial for Saint Raymond Penafort, Priest)
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| “Christ Preaching” by Rembrandt van Rijn, 1652 |
For those who celebrated Epiphany on January 6th: January 7th, Following Epiphany
Commentary:
Reading I: 1 John 4:19–5:4
Commentary on 1 Jn 4:19–5:4
This passage from St. John’s first letter drives to heart of the original purpose for the letter. “The fullness of Christian life as fellowship with the Father must be based on true belief and result in charitable living; knowledge of God and love for one another are inseparable, and error in one area inevitably affects the other.” [4]
The link forged by the Great Commandment of loving God and loving neighbor is strengthened by St. John who places Christ as an integral part. If a person loves God, then, perforce, they must also love one another. If they do not love one another, they do not love God.
CCC: 1 Jn 4:19 604, 1828; 1 Jn 4:20 2840; 1 Jn 5:1 2780, 2790
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17
R. (see 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Commentary on Ps 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17
The royal psalm, Psalm 72, a song of adoration, continues as the promise of justice is extended from just the poor and marginalized to the promise to deal with those who prey upon the upright. The passage concludes with a blessing of God’s kindness and mercy proclaiming the universal peace that will flow to all mankind. Once again, while the originally this psalm was sung for the king, we see in it God’s promise and the eternal rule of peace and justice brought by the Messiah.
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Gospel: Luke 4:14-22
Commentary on Luke 4:14-22
This selection from St. Luke’s Gospel takes place immediately following the Lord’s Baptism by St. John and trial in the desert. Jesus' return to Galilee is also documented in St. Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12-17). Here the Lord begins his public ministry with a straightforward statement of his identity and mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” This announcement of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 61:1-2) being fulfilled tells the audience he is the Messiah who came bringing them salvation.
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Reflection:
The great Feast of the Epiphany continues to shine its light on the Nativity of the Lord. The Kings from the East continue their praise and homage of the Savior who has entered the world. Even as we join them, imagining the Holy Family in the humble manger in Bethlehem , the revelation of Christ in scripture requires us to think in more pragmatic terms about the faith we profess and the event at which we rejoice.
As much as we would like to linger with the Christ Child, St. Luke calls us to take up his mission. The Gospel reminds us that the baby born in Bethlehem came to fulfill God’s promise. In Luke we hear the now adult Christ taking up the prophet’s mantle. He quotes the Prophet Isaiah saying: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” It is time for us to spread that word and St. John
He reminds us that if we have faith in Christ then our love of others will be clearly seen. It is a bold statement, punctuated with human action that supplements our prayer and sacramental grace. If we love Christ we must love others, the two are inseparable. It is like the sacrament of marriage. If that sacrament exists it cannot be broken. The bond between those so joined is unbreakable. If we love Christ, we must express that love as he did, loving all with whom we have contact.
The chain of theological logic stretches out its hand to us today and shows us that even as we recall the Magi and the Christ Child, we must express our love for that moment by loving even those who hate us. Our prayer today is that God gives us the strength to do just that.
Pax
[2] The picture is “Christ Preaching” by Rembrandt van Rijn, 1652
[4] From “Introduction to the Epistles of John” New American Bible (NAB)
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