Guest Scripture Reflection

A friend of mine liked to quote a saint – I don’t remember which one – who said that food is God’s love made edible. In our first reading, the biblical authors indicate that water is God’s love made drinkable. When the Israelites become dehydrated during their journey through a broiling desert, God pulls them back from the brink of death with a miraculous supply of water.

Lovely melodies have been written for today’s responsorial psalm (the response is “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will”), which make for pleasant congregational singing.

Our shortcomings need not lead to disappointment or self-doubt. Rather, the beginning of a new year is a graced opportunity to remember our absolute dependence on God.

On the last Sunday of the calendar year, the word of God invites us to a spiritual year in review. We join the church in celebrating the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph who lead us to the heart of God’s love made visible in the Christ Child of Bethlehem.

At Christmas, we are dealing with incomprehensibles.