A reflection on the daily readings, for the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas, by Father Perry.
+ An old adage goes like this: “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”
The actual saying is: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
In either case, the point being made is that when we admire a person we often want to “do like them” or “think like them” or “act like them” because we see greatness in them.
They inspire and create examples we can believe in, or see great value in, and we somehow want to be like them.
St. John‘s letter is saying just that and spells it out even more bluntly when he writes: “This is the way that we may know we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.”
He furthers his point by delving into the example of light and darkness, or grace and sin: “He who hates his brother is still in the dark”; and “Whoever loves his brother remains in the light.”
+ So we are taken, in the Gospel, to a place and a moment of blazing light — eternal light.
Joseph and Mary have brought the Christ child to the temple to dedicate him to the Lord.
A righteous and devout Jewwho practically lived in the temple and was waiting for the day when he would personally “see” the one who was to come, spottedJesus and said: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace. I have seen the Lord.”
And in this Spirit-filled moment, prophecy flowed forth and some of the mystery of Jesus’ way was spoken and taken into Mary’s heart and being.
+ We are invited to all of the above to: “see” and “hear” Jesus so clearly that we would dare to imitate him.
In other words, to become like him. To move from darkness to light, sin to grace.
Just existing, to real living, to recognizing the Holy One in our midst and in ourselves.
And to discover Jesus’ way, because it is our way, too.
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
