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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Tuesday after
Christmas
St. Luke’s Institute
December 31, 2013
THE LAST HOUR +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The last day of the year. “It is the last hour” John says in our first reading is here now
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If we allow ourselves some time for reflection,
we may have many thoughts about what has happened and not happened this past
year
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As well as what we hope will continue or be
different in the new year starting tomorrow
JOHN’S NATIVITY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Today we hear John’s account of the nativity
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There are no shepherds, Magi nor angels, and no
manger in this one
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John, instead, speaks of the theology of the
birth of Christ and the meaning of this event for those who embrace it with faith
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The acceptance of the one who came as a human
child to reveal concretely God’s love opens the way to the transformation of
our lives
NATIVITY’S PROMISE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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It doesn’t matter how poorly this past year may
have gone in terms of our personal lives or our hopes
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Today’s gospel tells us how much has been given
us in Christ and how much, therefore, can still come to pass in us
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Those who have accepted him, John writes, are
empowered to become sons and daughters of God
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Those who believe in him have a share in his
fullness flowing as waves of love from God
LEAVE SELF-PITY
BEHINE ++++++++++++++++++++++++
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A man who had the terrible experience as a
ten-year-old of finding his mother murdered writes that over the years he has
learned that the abandonment of self-pity is the beginning of wisdom
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Rather than moan about what should or might have
been last year, about failures and losses, we are able, through the love of God
available to us, to face the new year with hope and strength
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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The real light has come into the world
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The Word of God has made his dwelling among us
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God’s enduring love for us has come in and
through Jesus Christ
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