FIRST READING
That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you.
The beginning of the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 1:1-4)
Beloved: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 97:1-2.5-6.11-12 (R. 12a)
R/. Rejoice in the Lord, you just.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Cloud and darkness surround him;
justice and right are the foundation of his throne. R/.
The mountains melt like wax
before the face of the Lord,
before the face of the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory. R/.
R/. Rejoice in the Lord, you just.
Light shines forth for the just one,
And joy for the upright of heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you just;
To the memory of his holiness give thanks. R/.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia. We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as the Lord; the glorious band of apostles sings your praise, O Lord! Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“The other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 20:2-8)
On the first day of the week: Mary Magdalene ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went towards the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
If we try to understand Christmas outside the event of the resurrection, we shall remain in the dark. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead helps us see more clearly the significance of the Christmas event. If Jesus had not died and risen from the dead, Christmas would have no meaning for us. Christmas and Easter illumine the core of our faith that Jesus is both human and divine. He came to share in our humanity so that we could become divine and live with the triune God. The feast of St John the Evangelist is celebrated in the Christmas season to remind us of our calling and responsibility to give witness to Jesus, who is, as our creed asserts:
“God from God, light from light, true God from true God”.