Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments.
Beginning with the Mass of Christmas Day when we hear the prologue to the Fourth Gospel, the Yule season is inspired by the Evangelist Saint John. He does not contradict anything the synoptic gospels teach, or the writings of Saint Paul and Peter. But he leads us into ever deeper understanding and appreciation.
We must especially probe his teachings of what would be called "the Trinity," and our place within God's presence.
In today's first reading, Saint John contrasts the love of God and the lover of God versus the liar who hates. The one who hates, regardless of any legitimate grievance or certifiable trauma, cannot and should not claim a place in God or God's people. That's quite a challenge to an eccentric gathering of Christians who represent many economic, political, racial and ethnic groups, not to mention two or more genders and a wide gamut of ages. Can the president of such an assembly expect everyone to be utterly free of rancor, distrust or hate? Should the excluded be sifted out before they enter the church? Should troubled souls be made to feel unwelcome before they settle into their pews?
Of course, we welcome everyone. (It's been said that Protestant ministers convert people and gather them into congregations, while Catholic priests gather people into congregations and then try to convert them. But it would help if the priest were converted first! Hah!) Everyone is welcome.
Saint John reveals a vision of our place in God as begotten. We are not simply educated, persuaded or convinced. Believing in Jesus Christ is a matter of the heart -- that invisible, voluble organ -- rather than the head. We belong to God as a child belongs to her mother or father. Begetting us through Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, Jesus claims us and says with divine delight, "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!"
The surest sign of your begottenness, then, is not the size of your contribution or the number of hours you donate. Nor is it your friendship with the priest or the connections you have in the congregation. It's your willingness to love and be loved.
You have some reservations about some people? You suffer some anxiety around certain individuals? Of course you do. But you are willing to make allowance. You're willing to push the limits of your limited trust. You trust no one absolutely, not even God, but you are open to grace. You can smile at some and be civil with others. You can shake hands with those you'd rather not touch, and listen to people you don't understand.
We have seen how Jesus opened his heart to strangers like the Samaritan Woman at the Well and the Roman centurion. His Jewish tradition told him to avoid such people but when he met them face to face his Spirit welcomed them.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.