Gospel Reflection – January 5, 2026

Allow me to focus today only on the first reading. It’s a text from one of the letters attributed to the Apostle John. Bible scholars tell us it’s the same John who wrote the Gospel. We’ve often pictured him as a man with his head in the clouds, lost in deep mysticism, using complicated language that’s hard to wrap our heads around. Just think of the prologue to his Gospel that we’ve read several times lately.

But today’s reading shows us that Christian mysticism always ends up landing in reality—in our everyday lives. It can’t just stay up in the clouds. It doesn’t stop at contemplation or deep hours of prayer. In the end, the Gospel message is simply the Good News of God’s love for us, shown in Christ Jesus. And that love takes shape in our daily relationships. If it doesn’t happen there, it’s just empty talk.

First, the Apostle makes it clear: love is the opposite of death, and therefore, the opposite of hate. Love is life. It has nothing to do with death. If we love, it’s a sign that we’ve passed from death to life. Those who don’t love are dead. It’s that simple. Someone who doesn’t love is like a “zombie”—one of those walking dead from the movies, wandering the streets and threatening everyone’s life. But to defend ourselves, our only weapon is love. It’s the only remedy that can disarm that threat. Only love that is given freely, generously, and without strings attached can transform those “walking dead” into free, living people who are, in turn, capable of loving.

But John adds one more thing: Love isn’t just a word; it’s something you do through actions. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” As the Apostle says, if you see a brother or sister in need and close your heart to them, how can you say you truly love?

So, there it is. If we are alive, let’s love one another. That’s how we defeat hate and death. Let’s get to work and make that love real in our daily lives and in how we treat those around us. That is the highest point of Christian mysticism.