Reflection for Sunday 4th January, 2026

2nd Sunday of Christmas

The Word was made Flesh (John 1:1-5, 9-15)

John’s Gospel has been compared to a large swimming pool which is deep enough for an elephant to swim but also so shallow that an infant can paddle. Today’s Gospel is certainly at the deep end.
John is depicted in Christian art as an eagle. The eagle is reputed to be the only creature that can look directly into the glaring light of the sun without damaging its eyes. More than the other evangelists, John gazes into the mystery of the Blessed Trinity … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “No one has ever seen God: it is the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known” (John 1:18). The blinding light of the Blessed Trinity is filtered to our limitations though the human body and life of Jesus. 

“The Word was the true light which enlightens all people.”

“The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” In the ceremony of our Christening, our baptismal candle received light from the paschal candle which represents the Risen Christ. “The Word was the true light which enlightens all people.” Sadly, many of his own people did not accept him. “But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.” Take note of the word become. Receiving the sacrament is only the beginning of a Christian life.
“By his revelation, the invisible God from the fulness of his love addresses people as his friends, and moves among them, in order to invite and receive them into his company, the adequate response to this invitation is faith.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 142).

Questions

Does the awesome privilege of sharing in divine life mean much to you?
Are you sensitive to the ways God is inviting you, and depending on you to be his hands and feet?

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the sacred Word of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made.
Through you all things were made. Open our sensitivity to see your presence in all creation. You humbled yourself to share in our humanity so that we might be lifted up to share in your divinity.
Since we share in your divine life, we dare to call God Our Father who art in heaven.
You invite us to participate, through sacred liturgy, in your eternal return of worship to our Father. May grace upon grace grow as we appreciate the awesome privilege that is ours in sacred liturgy.
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word was made flesh and lived among us. May our daily Angelus be a faith-filled celebration of the wonders of your incarnation.

“The Word was the true light which enlightens all people.”