The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Intention: That, in this Octave of Christmas, our Church will continue to find ways to be the Body of Christ and his Good News to all people and in all places.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 2:36-40
There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
From the Third Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Although Jesus Christ died for everyone, the benefit of his death is, nevertheless, not effected in everyone, because all do not make the effort to apply it to themselves. The response of our will is necessary on our part in order to make it effective. Although the death of Jesus Christ was more than sufficient to wipe out the sins of all, and be complete reparation for them, since God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, nevertheless the grace that Jesus merited for us effects our salvation only insofar as our will is brought to correspond with it. It is up to each of us to achieve and complete the work of our own redemption.
This is what made Saint Paul say very well, speaking of himself, I accomplish what is lacking in the passion of Christ. Is there something lacking, then, in the passion of Christ? Nothing, certainly, on the part of Jesus Christ, but on the part of this holy Apostle, as well as everyone else, what was lacking was the acceptance of his will, the union of his sufferings with those of Jesus Christ as one of his members suffering in him and for him.
Since you are obliged to help your disciples to save themselves, you must engage them to unite all their actions to those of Jesus Christ, our Lord, so that their actions, made holy by his merits and by his consecration, are able to be pleasing to God and a means of salvation for them. This is how you must teach them to benefit from the death of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to make effective in them the advantages and merits of his death.
Prayer
Eternal Father, throughout time, your promise of faithfulness to us has been a path for us to walk and a light for us to see. When we place our trust in you, we are able to see and do good things. Help us to live each day with open hands and open hearts to receive your graces. We give thanks for all of the ways in which you provide for us and remain with us through each moment of our lives. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.