WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD
Today we need to
be reminded of our dignity, because often we are tempted to live far below what
we are called to be.
During these days
of Christmas we have time to reflect on its true meaning. But if we've been
around for a decade or two, we know that we are never finished with reflecting
on this, or with acting on it. How do we keep before ourselves, in life's
difficulties, the fact that the Lord is with us in all our struggles? How do we
consistently and continually see God in the suffering, the difficult, the
frightened, and the needy people around us?
We hear in the
first of the commandments to love. This task is endless. As we come to an end
of another year we are encouraged to evaluate our successes and failures in
this matter in this past year. The endlessness of the task tells us that we
still need, and will always need, our heavenly Father's grace to forgive our
failures and strengthen our resolve. "From His fullness we have all
received, grace in place of grace" (Jn 1:16). Today's first reading
confirms that we have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and we have
all knowledge.
In a commentary for
today, I read that one of the finest Christmas sermons is that given by Pope
Saint Leo the Great. He begins, "Christian, recognize your dignity."
Saint John surely carries this idea to the next level when he says,
"World, recognize your dignity." God wants to be part of it all.
Genesis tells us that human beings are created in God's image and likeness, and
Saint John tells us that God appears to us in our image.
Today we need to be
reminded of our dignity, because often we are tempted to live far below what we
are called to be. God invites us to be on a grand scale as a person, for we are
His children. Christmas, put simply, teaches us that the human and the divine
go well together.