Dec 27 2022

First reading 1 John 1:1-4

The Word, who is life – this is our subject

Something which has existed since the beginning,

that we have heard,

and we have seen with our own eyes;

that we have watched

and touched with our hands:

the Word, who is life –

this is our subject.

That life was made visible:

we saw it and we are giving our testimony,

telling you of the eternal life

which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.

What we have seen and heard

we are telling you

so that you too may be in union with us,

as we are in union

with the Father

and with his Son Jesus Christ.

We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.

Responsorial Psalm 96(97):1-2,5-6,11-12

1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
11 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Gospel John 20:2-8

The other disciple saw, and he believed

On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’

So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.

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He saw and he believed

In today’s gospel, there was a lot of running taking place. First, we see Mary ran, Peter did the same, and the other disciple also ran to the tomb. St. John the evangelist wanted to highlight their love for Jesus provoked this urgency that propelled them towards finding Jesus. In this Christmas season, let us ask ourselves, do we have this love for Jesus that provokes the urgency to run towards Him?

The gospel passage states that the disciple saw the empty tomb and believed. He saw the emptiness with eyes of faith. He remembered the words of Jesus saying that He would die but would rise on the third day. That memory of Jesus’ words lit up and filled his heart with renewed hope. Though we are in the midst of Christmas, we sometimes face our empty tomb of difficulties, fears and uncertainties. Today, Jesus invites us to open our eyes and look at the situations with the eyes of the beloved disciple, i.e. with eyes of faith. We are not alone because Jesus is with us.

Reflective question:
Do I look at the situations I live with eyes of faith or despair?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.