It is 29th December 2018. We celebrate the memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr. A saintly bishop who was murdered by a king who opposed the Pontiff and his animation. St. Thomas Becket showed his love for the Lord and the Church by taking a stand which made him to sacrifice his own life. The readings are from 1 John 2:3-11; and the Gospel from Luke 2:22-35. Love for the Lord needs to be witnessed in our sacrificial actions. Love is nothing but being faithful to the end even if our life is the cost to be paid. Knowing is the process by which love is unpacked and strengthened layer by layer. Knowing involves one’s own willingness to let go off all that one treasures and cherishes in order to become and belong to the other without imposing one’s views and likes. In the first reading, St. John invites us to know Jesus by adhering to His commandments. To know means to encounter and embrace the truth. His truth is found in His Words. Having encountered the truth, one cannot remain blind by not loving the other person. What we have experienced as light needs to be shared and shed the darkness of hatred, ill-treatment, abuse and indifference to the other person. Our life in the Spirit and in Christ must include and celebrate the other person and recognise the presence of Christ in the other no matter however one is not up to our expectations and standards. Knowing Christ means to live in the light that has to offer warmth, life and growth not only in ourselves and in others too. Ignoring a person and embracing Christ is self-opposing and destructive to the souls. We cannot proclaim love and truth about Christ and at same time to live and remain a believer and promotor of lies in hating our neighbours. “Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.” (1 John 2:10). The commandment of love includes the unconditional acceptance and respect for the other and to listen totally without passing or ruminating judgement on the other’s choices and life style. Since we have become the people of light, our walking and talking needs to emanate the rays of hope, peace, joy and forgiveness to all people. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.” (Ps.95:11). We read the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple and the blessing and prophecy of Simeon. People who live in light is always attracted to Jesus, the Light of our life and hearts. Meeting Christ in the temple is the experience to profess the truth and live by the same. The child Jesus is the truth and light of our life that needs to be pondered in our hearts as our Mother Mary did. Our secret sins and shadows of darkness can be healed by allowing the light and truth of Christ shine deeply in our lives. May we just not embrace Christ emotionally and intellectually rather let us relate with Him personally and love Him intimately as the source of holiness and blessings. May you have a good day. God bless you.