Thursday of the Octave of Christmas
December 31, 2020
Daily reading from the USCCB: 1 John 2:18-21
Not everybody has remained faithful to the light. It’s easy for faithful Christians to identify the unfaithful members. They are no longer present. In referring to them as “antichrists,” John does not mean to characterize them as rabble-rousing individuals, but rather as people with a certain mindset which makes it inconsistent for them to participate in the life of the community. They can be identified by their absence.
The faithful need not be surprised by their departure. They had already been warned by Jesus that there would be turncoats among his disciples.
As this old year ends we might want to renew our dedication to the Lord, our commitment to faith in him, our gratitude for the gifts he has given us.
