Whoever loves his brother remains in the light
There are many texts from various religious traditions, including pagan ones, in which we find morally beautiful invitations to fraternal life and self-sacrifice. Christianity does not have a monopoly on wisdom, moral perfection! Saint John in his letter will say clearly: “everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love” (cf. 1 Jn 4:7-8). It does not provide any conditions as to religious affiliation. It is similar in the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, in the final judgment scene. The Lord Jesus also does not impose any other conditions of acceptance or rejection - except for showing mercy. The division does not take place on the border: Christians - non-believers, pagans, but it goes through the heart of every human being. But why is the Nativity of the Lord and the subsequent funding of the Church so important?
First of all, man in his wisdom is able to discover a lot, but not everything. Moreover, his acquired knowledge carries with it a lot of uncertainty, because reality often seems to contradict it. Further: knowing alone does not give us the power to live this wisdom. Everyone falls and there is no perfection in us. With the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, God spoke everything that was to be said - unambiguously and definitively, leaving no doubt. This was His will to reveal His love to the end. And this is the most important reason and basis for the existence and importance of the Church. In the face of this message from God in his Son, everyone must give an answer. Christ is the cornerstone upon which those who reject Him fall: Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel (cf. Lk 2:34). The answer we are to give is thoroughly personal, my eyes have seen your salvation, says the old man Simeon, looking at the little child brought to the temple.
God foretold and promised Israel that there will be - which with Him always means is - their Goel, i.e., the closest relative who is obliged to save them from poverty, if they have fallen into such poverty. This account is reciprocal! If someone is mine Goel, then I am his Goel. If a person fails to fulfill his obligation arising from this relationship, the betrayal this closeness, ceases to be the closest relative. The Lord Jesus places this relationship on new principles, not on the basis of blood ties, but on the basis of listening to and fulfilling the word of God, that is, on the basis of faith put into action.
In this context, the words of St. John: who hates his brother, is still in the darkness, and thus does not know God, even if he declares himself a Christian. The text of St. John shows very well what the biblical term "know" means: “The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived.” (cf. 1 Jn 2:3-6)
This is the meaning of the term in the statement of the Lord Jesus: “No one knows the Father, only the Son” (cf. Mt 11:27). Elsewhere he will say: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work” (cf. Jn 4:34). The knowledge of the Father and Jesus' love for him were expressed in the complete fulfillment of his command, in total obedience, in constant bond with the Father. Today, unfortunately, Christianity is often experienced ideologically, that is, treated as an ideology. There is no close correlation between professed truths and practical life. The truths proclaimed are not put into practice. Thus, the Christian faith treated in this way is no better than the pagan religion. And it is often so much worse that it falsifies others the true truth about Christ and about God.
Christmas is the mystery of God's Word Incarnation, God's entry into human history. My Christmas signifies the mystery of God's entry into my life, His incarnation in me. Or to put it differently, getting to know (in the biblical sense) his presence in my life, to know that he is my Goel, by being like him in concrete deeds, in my actions. Overflow of His love into my action.
However, you have to know that it is a fight. The words: “Your soul will pierce the sword” - uttered by Simeon also apply to everyone who decides to truly accept this mystery in their lives, who wants to consistently follow Christ, to know Him truly in the biblical sense of the word.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george