Live in His Truth

Readings for Tuesday December 28, 2010

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

First Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm124

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

Beloved:

This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. (1 Jn 1:5-2:2)

Have you ever known someone who told some pretty big "fish stories" about themselves? These are people who stretch the truth about accomplishments that they have had, abilities they possess, or things they have done. Usually when speaking to these types of people, I cannot help but wonder why they are deliberately lying all to make themselves look better. I often think that they should just tell the truth, sure it may not seem as exciting, but then at least you are not pretending to be someone you are not.

Saint John warns us of dangers of not being truthful, especially about our flaws. He tells us that if we say that we are without sin, then we "deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." As Christians we must constantly acknowledge our shortcomings and our failings; because in acknowledging when we fall, we allow God to pick us back up. We cannot continue to deceive ourselves, we just need to understand that we are human, and if we try to do things our way, then we will fail and we will fall short of reaching heaven. But if we choose to live in the truth, and acknowledge that by ourselves we fall short, but with God we can overcome anything; then we live in the truth. It is His truth that we should live in and that will lead us to heaven.

Today we celebrate the feast day of the Holy Innocents, the children who lost their lives because of a king who was paranoid and power hungry. These child martyrs were completely innocent, and had not even lived to commit a sin. We are far off from these Holy martyrs, and we must acknowledge the times that we fall short; but it is okay because we have hope. Today, reflect on the words of Saint John:

"My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world."

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for all that you have blessed us with and for all that you do. Lord, you are our God and our rock, may we never veer from your will or your ways. Lord, teach us how to be better disciples, and to love as you love. We pray for all the Christians who are suffering and are being persecuted, may they persevere during what might seem like a dark time. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.