READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS (YEAR C) 2ND JANUARY, 2022.
FIRST READING: ECCLESIASTICUS 24:1-2, 8-12
PSALM: 147
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 1:3-6, 15-18
GOSPEL: JOHN 1-1-18
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is the Second Sunday of Christmas and the second day of the New Year 2022. Today’s celebration explains the Mystery of the Incarnation. Indeed, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a Mystery. This is an acceptable truth. Christ’s Incarnation is not only a Mystery but also a message of hope for us.
This message of hope was echoed in the Gospel of John. It says “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and lived among us.” (John 1:1, 14). He lived and died as one of us. He is Emmanuel – God with us. He lived in every aspect of our human living. He was born in very humble circumstances. He experienced good and hard times in the family. He lived a simple, humble life. He lived with ordinary people and He chose very ordinary people to be His witnesses. Jesus Christ did ordinary things in an extra-ordinary way to liberate us from our sins.
God is always present with us. God is close to us especially in moments of difficulties. This reassures us that God never abandons his people which is a huge source of comfort and strength in challenging times. Our Readings today confirm this reassuring hope of Christ’s incarnation among us.
The First Reading is a poem in praise of Wisdom. It says that the Wisdom of God has pitched her tent among the chosen people. Wisdom speaks her own praises, in the midst of her people she glories in herself. (Ecclesiasticus: 24:1-2, 8-12)
The Psalmist reiterates that the Word was made flesh, and lived among us. (Psalm 147)
In the Second Reading, St Paul introduces the theme of God’s plan of salvation. It is a plan which is centred in and through Christ. St. Paul said “Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18)
Today’s Gospel is a great hymn to the Word of God, the source of all life. The Gospel affirms that Christ’s coming into the world makes us children of God. We thank God for coming into our world. In our midst, God blesses us with His Grace that enlightens and empowers us in our daily lives. St. John says “For the law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ”. (John 1:1-18)
Christ is the light shining above a world that seems terribly dark. Christ dispels darkness. His truth enlightens us and His Grace empowers us. God’s truth enlightens us to see ourselves and our neighbours in a new light of joy and peace. Jesus Christ is the light that enlightens our hope. He is the keystone of our faith. Christ the Lord, the Word made flesh is our beacon of hope.
By virtue of our Baptism, we are all children of God. Confirming this St. John says, “For to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12). St. Paul reassures us that before the world was made, God chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ for his own kind purposes” (Ephesians 1:3-6. 15-18). This Good News brings enlightenment, liberation and empowerment.
We are urged to allow the Word of God to change our former disposition of faithlessness and hopelessness into hope and enthusiasm in the service of God and humanity. We are called to listen to the message that Jesus brings. When we do not know where the journey will lead us, let us be sure that the grace of God will supply the strength we need for our journey of faith ahead.
We are Christ’s witnesses. We are invited to commit ourselves into God’s service with courage and commitment. We are called to share this truth with those living in the dark and in the shadow of death.
May God enlighten the eyes of our minds so that we can see what hope his call holds for each of us and what rich glories God has promised us for the New Year 2022 and always. Amen
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM