First Reading: 1 Jn 2:12-17
I am writing to you, children,
because your sins have been forgiven for his name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the Evil One.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong and the word of God remains in you,
and you have conquered the Evil One.
Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10
R (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts;
worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth.
R Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Gospel Reading: Lk 2:36-40
There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.
Some people desperately seek the fountain of youth. Others, in a way, “hate” old age. Nowadays, there’s a lot of talk about “ageism,” that semi-disdainful attitude toward those who are older. Not considering them, talking to them as if they were small children—or worse, as if they were fools. No matter how much affection caregivers put into their work, it often feels insulting. Aging certainly comes with many ailments and, at times, indignities. And in our society, there’s often a great emphasis on youth. On the other hand, there’s a tendency to romanticize old age, saying things like, “the elderly have given us everything.” Well, yes—some have, and some haven’t.
We shouldn’t value the elderly or the young simply for their age but because they are children of God. In today’s first reading, John writes to people of all ages; in each stage of life, God has revealed Himself in some way. And in the end, he concludes: those who do the will of God will live forever. It’s not about age but about belonging. It’s not about staying young forever but about listening to what God has for us each day and in every moment. It’s about living eternally.
What does living eternally mean for each of us? How has God revealed Himself to us in each stage of our lives? How do we hear God’s voice at different ages?
In today’s Gospel, Joseph and Mary follow what’s prescribed; Jesus returns to Nazareth with His parents and “is obedient to them.” In other words, they all do the will of God. The result is that the child grows in health and wisdom. It’s not about age; it’s about listening and fulfilling the will of God. We can always grow; we can live forever. This goes far beyond age. John writes to us no matter where we are in life—whether we’ve come to know the Father, feel our sins have been forgiven, or overcome the Evil One. We are told that by being subject to the Father, we can grow in health and wisdom. We already have the source—not of eternal youth, but of eternal life.
Carmen Aguinaco6th day Octave of Christmas
OPEN TO GOD'S MYSTERY
Introduction
To thank God for the liberation he brings us in and through his Son Jesus is the core of every eucharistic celebration. There we say: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” With the prophetess Anna, let us express our thanks for our liberation to the Lord our God and praise him wholeheartedly.
Too easily, as St John says, we lose our heart to the world; we follow its ways of thinking and acting. Let us ask the Lord to forgive us.
Opening Prayer
Almighty Father,
you let humble, faithful people
recognize your Son
and welcome him as the Savior
who brought freedom and life to his people.
May we too recognize and welcome Jesus
in all that is little and humble
and with him grow up in wisdom and grace
to the maturity of your sons and daughters,
so that we attain the full stature of Jesus.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
General Intercessions
– For fathers and mothers, that they may give their children the freedom to be themselves and to grow up as mature, responsible Christians, we pray:
– For all young people, that they may come to love Christ deeply and let his word take roots and grow in them, we pray:
– For small children, that they may come to love God through their experience of their parent’s love, we pray:
– For all of us, God’s children, that we may seek God’s will in all we do and form communities where we care for one another, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
through the food and drink of the eucharist
appease our hunger
and quench our thirst
for all that is good in your sight.
We offer ourselves
together with your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
here in this eucharist
your Son Jesus has offered us
his liberation and victory
to overcome in this world
evil in us and around us.
Dispose us to receive always with gratitude
the life and the light of Jesus
and to follow in his footsteps,
for he is our Lord for ever and ever.
Blessing
Old people, Anna as well as Simeon, women as well as men, often see with eyes the mysteries of God with a perspicacity that puts to shame theologians and holders of degrees. That is what they learn through prayer and reflection. May God bless these wise people, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
