"THE WORD MADE FLESH"
"The Word
was made Flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1:14)… as we ponder the
Word-made-Flesh, along with Mary, His mother, we must be open, not only to
grasp His truth, but also to experience His love.
"The Word was
made Flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1:14). The Son of God is called
"the Word" because He is the Truth which God speaks to us. The Word
that God speaks to us is made human in Jesus Christ so that we might more
easily listen to it. We can listen more easily because the Word becomes man and
is made understandable. It is divine truth brought within the grasp of human
minds. And what is God's message spoken to us in Jesus, the Word made man? The
message is love - God's infinite, incomprehensible love. "For God so loved
the world that He gave His only Son" (Jn 3:16).
During this
Christmas Day Mass we acclaim in the Responsorial Psalm: "The Lord has
made His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His
justice" (Ps 98:2). One can almost see the smile on the prophet Isaiah's
face as he describes the glad tidings and Good News of the Lord's restoration
of Zion. Isaiah urges the people to break out into song for God has comforted
His people. God's salvation calls for shouts of joy and singing of praises.
Today we celebrate
the day God entered His own creation by becoming human. How can we
authentically honor this day? One way is to notice and truly relish our own
experience of being human. So often we hurry through the hours heedless of the
many sensations to be enjoyed. This Christmas may we appreciate the warmth of
our beds, our hot showers and our holiday meal. Let's give our undivided
attention to the words and music of Christmas. In other words, may we be
childlike. At the end of the day we will know something of what Emily Dickinson
meant when she wrote: "To live is so startling it leaves little time for
anything else."
Yes! It takes time
to absorb truth and it takes time to experience love. Therefore, as we ponder the
Word-made-Flesh, along with Mary, His mother, we must be open, not only to
grasp His truth, but also to experience His love.
+Have a Blessed and
Merry Christmas, 2014!