WORD 2day: 29th December, 2017
Fifth day within Christmas Octave
1 Jn 2: 3-11; Lk 2: 22-35
Hatred, violence, vengeance, religious polarisation, political aggression and terrorism abound today in forms varied and vicious. The talks of nationalism and supremacy even in so called Christian countries rob true faith of its fundamental essence. The readings today give us a clear cut criterion to judge who is right and who is not. The one who loves one's brothers and sisters is in light. And whoever says he or she is in light, yet hates one's brother or sister, is still in darkness (Cf. 1 Jn 2: 8,9).
For those within the Church who are causing divisions: Jesus the light can never cause hatred or division. There can be people who claim to be interpreting the Light but causing divisions and hatred and rivalry. Let them be certain, says the Word, that they are still in darkness.
For those who spread religious hatred: A true religion can never spread hatred and anything that spreads hatred in the name of religion is pure politics and an instrument of the darkness!
For those who divide people for their own selfish motives: When the Light is around nothing can be hidden. Even your most hidden motives are laid bare before God the light of love. Anything within you that is not inspired out of love, is still an act of darkness!
Let love, the light of life, guide us on as we come closer to the end of this year!