“WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN NOW” (1 Jn 3:2)

“See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God!” –1 John 3:1

Mass Readings: January 3
First: Philippians 2:5-11; Resp: Psalm 113:1-8; Gospel: Matthew 1:18-23

Something happened to St. John that needs to happen to all of us. Like many of us, John heard he was a child of God. But by the grace of the Holy Spirit, John realized radically what it means to be a child of God. The Spirit cried out in his heart: “Abba” (Gal 4:6; Rm 8:15). It was as if John had heard the voice of God the Father saying: “You are My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (see Mt 3:17). After that, John walked and ran through life shocked into life by love as he kept saying: “We are God’s children now” (1 Jn 3:2).

On each of the remaining eight days of the Christmas season, ask the Spirit to teach you (Jn 14:26) and cry out in your heart: “Abba.” Begin this year by asking the Holy Spirit to impress on you the privileged glory of being a child of God. “Dearly beloved, we are God’s children now” (1 Jn 3:2).

PRAYER: Jesus, You became a child of man so that I can be a child of God. I accept You and live as God’s child (see Jn 1:12).
PROMISE: “When you see the Spirit descend and rest on Someone, it is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit.” –Jn 1:33
PRAISE: “The reason [Jesus] revealed Himself was to take away sins” (1 Jn 3:5). Praise the Most Holy Name of Jesus!