It is 29th December 2016. We celebrate the memory of St. Thomas Becket, the bishop and the Martyr. The readings are from 1 John 2:3-11; and the Gospel from Luke 2:22-35. The first reading reminds us our call to love one another just because our familiarity and faith in Christ Jesus. The perfection in loving others can be achieved when we attempt to show our solidarity with the others even when they do not have any merits to love. The light of Christ is visible only in loving the others as they are. Knowing God is not an intellectual pursuit rather it is a personal and emotional commitment to Christ. We cannot be emotionally detached from one another while claiming to love God piously. Love not only brightens up our life but also makes us to connect with the others. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.” (Ps.95:11). The Gospel presents the presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple which connects with many other ceremonies such as the purification of the mother after the birth of a male son after days, the circumcision and the redemption of the first born. Simeon recognized the Messiah and prophesied the sorrow of Mother Mary for her only beloved son’s rejection of by many in the future. Even though Jesus, the Son of God, yet He will be suffering for the sinful humanity. Some of us suffer unjustly in the hands of those who hate us for no reason. In some situation of our lives, we could be rejected by many yet we need to bring the light of Christ in and around us always. May you have a good day.