Living as Grateful Children of God
Listening the Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit,
light of those who seek and strength of those who trust.
As You guided the Holy Family on uncertain paths,
teach us to listen in silence,
to recognize Your voice in moments of fear and doubt,
and to welcome God’s will within the reality of our lives.
Like Saint Joseph, give us hearts open to Your guidance,
the courage to rise and go,
and the love to care faithfully for those entrusted to us. Amen.
Listening the Word: John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
Reflection
As this year draws to a close, the Word of God invites us to give thanks and renew our mission. We remember with gratitude, recognizing that God has been with us every step of the way. God never leaves us alone because we are his children.
In the First Reading, St. John speaks to us with love and clarity. He reminds us that the world can be confusing and that lies exist. But he also gives us strength and confidence: “You have an anointing from the Holy One.” As the year ends, we give thanks to God because his Spirit has guided us. He has helped us to remain in the truth and to continue our mission, even when it was not easy.
The Responsorial Psalm calls all creation to joy: “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad!” This joy is missionary joy. It is the joy of knowing that God reigns with justice and faithfulness. As children of God, we are invited to share this joy with others through simple acts of love, service, and compassion.
The Gospel of John reminds us of the heart of our faith: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus entered our world to bring light into the darkness. This light is not just for us; it is meant to be shared. John the Baptist was sent to bear witness to the light. In the same way, we are sent. Our mission begins when we accept Jesus and allow his light to shine in our lives.
The Gospel tells us clearly who we are: “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” This is our identity and our mission. We are children of God, called to live like him and to make him known. As this year draws to a close, we give thanks to God for every moment of grace, for every person we have met, and for every opportunity to serve. “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
As missionaries and disciples, we begin the new year with hope. We do not rely on our own strength, but on the grace of Jesus Christ. With grateful hearts, we give thanks for the year that is ending and commit ourselves to live and proclaim, through our lives, that we are children of God.
Reflection Questions
Looking back on this past year, when did you most clearly experience God’s anointing and guidance through the Holy Spirit, especially during difficult moments? How did recognizing yourself as a child of God help you remain in truth and continue your mission?
As you prepare to enter the new year, what are the specific ways you feel called to bear witness to Christ’s light in your daily life? Who are the people or situations where God is inviting you to share the “missionary joy” through simple acts of love, service, and compassion?
