Reflection for December 31
Mayarah, age 8
I love the Gospel of John! It has always moved me how it begins — full of life, light, promises, and love. Today’s gospel gives me a compelling feeling of new beginnings and eternity mixed together, which is exactly what we need as we cross the threshold into a brand New Year.
There is a lot to unpack, and what I share here is just my itty-bitty glimpse of this gospel. I would like to begin my reflection on these powerful words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” For me, this is the story of a feast of love where the unity of Jesus in God and God in Jesus through the Spirit, who is pure love, is revealed to us. I believe it is also an invitation for every person to share in the feast and in the awareness of God’s love for us.
And the love story continues because Jesus, the Word, brought us life that is the light for us, shining in the darkness. How many times have you reached out to the light of Jesus to overcome difficult times? No need to keep count! The certainty that this light is always available gives us the hope and the strength needed to carry on and see everything with the promise of goodness in every person.
Adding to the story is this gift: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Can you feel the joy while reading these words? A rush of joy fills my heart, overflowing in a crescendo at the realization that Jesus in flesh is in all of us, bringing us together. Then, only then, eternity becomes the never-ending love of Jesus becoming one of us in the flesh.
It is the last day of the year; it might seem that Christmas is long gone, but not yet. As you open the gifts that this gospel has for you, I pray that your relationship with Jesus and every person grows in love and unity.
Ana María Alstrum