The liturgical season of Christmas wrapped up this past Monday with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This feast should remind us of our own baptism. The light that came into the world at Christmas is the same light that fills our souls when we are brought into the Church. This light continues to brighten as each of us grow in our communion with God throughout our lives.
The Gospel proclaimed on Christmas day was the Prologue of Saint John (Jn 1:1-5) where the Evangelist tells us that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Throughout the weeks of Christmas, I have meditated on this image. Reflecting on light has been important for me this year since it was a holiday filled with a lot of sadness, death and funerals.
My Oblate brother and friend, Reverend Joseph Jocco, died on the morning of December 24. My brother-in-law’s mother (Geri Peek) passed away on December 26. Colleen Dougherty, the mother of a former student and colleague (Shane Dougherty) lost her battle with cancer on December 31. On the feast of the Lord’s Baptism, a friend and mentor (Sister Jeanette Lawlor, CSFN) died after a brief illness. It seemed that from the very first hours of the feast to the very last celebrations of the season, death and darkness were prevailing.
The challenge this Christmas was to see God in these moments and in these sad situations... even in the clouds, amidst the confusion and among the questions we all have about life, death and our time on Earth.
I know I am not the only one experiencing loss and sorrow during the “most wonderful time of the year.” Many people experience loneliness, depression and loss during the holidays. When we are confronted with the shadows and darkness of life, the lights of Christmas can sometimes be a reminder of our emptiness rather than a renewal of our spirit.
The good news for Christians is that we recognize God is at work in the world - in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in sunshine and clouds. In all seasons and circumstances, God is with us, Emmanuel.
At Christmas, God gave us the greatest gift, His Son. We believe the Savior was born and lived so that we could continue to live. The modern calypso carol “Mary’s Boychild, Jesus Christ” beautifully announces to us, “Hark, now, hear the angels sing, a new king’s born today... and man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day!”
Through His Son, God gave us the assurance that as hard as it is, as difficult as it may make life, death will not have the final word.
The Word was made flesh and still dwells among us – in our family and friends, in the love we share and in the spirit of those we have lost.
So even though the Church concluded the season of the Incarnation this past week (even though the decorations and music have mostly disappeared), the Word will continue, the light will keep shining and Christ will keep being born into our lives – because of Christmas Day!
Reverend Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
