More than the breaking of the commandments, sin can be more accurately defined as an act of rebellion against God; a decision that is often fuelled by our pride, arrogance and desire for control. When we sin, we are in fact actively choosing to put God to the test and undermining His sovereignty. We fail to recall the good that He has done in our lives and the promises that He makes to us.

We are encouraged today to no longer harden our hearts against Him, but to find hope in Christ who has conquered sin and death and now calls us to live for the Father. How can we be faithful companions on this journey towards Him, always encouraging one another and spurring each other towards God especially when we encounter challenges along the way?

Reflection question: What is standing in the way of my total trust in God?

By becoming Man, Christ invites us to embrace our own humanity and suffering, so that we can better empathise with those around us. He shows us how we should minister to others – by being keenly aware of the needs of those we serve, making time for them and being ever ready to leave our comfort zones in order to answer God’s call to serve somewhere else.

Finally, we are reminded of the importance of prayer; for the work we do is not done out of our own strength but that of God’s.

Reflection question: How can I be more embracing of my humanity, instead of perceiving my struggles as a hindrance in the building of God’s Kingdom?

Man has been given a special dignity in all of God’s creation. We are called to be stewards of creation, to guide it towards its purpose and to use it for the common good. However, our sinful nature has led us to misuse this gift for selfish ends.

Jesus came down as Man not only to bring salvation, but also to show us how we are meant to live as God intended. By conquering sin and death, He calls us to follow His path of faithful obedience and surrender to God’s will, leading us to a life of true fulfilment and eternal joy.

Reflection question: How can I embrace Jesus’ example to live a life of ultimate purpose?

As humans, our love is often imperfect and shaped by our wounds and insecurities. To meet our needs, we may impose our preferences on others and our love becomes controlling and possessive.

God calls us to love as He does – a love that is free, unconditional and accepts others as they are. Only by encountering His healing and divine love can we love others in the same way.

May we be open to experience God’s love, allowing Him to love us as we are – so that we can love others.

Reflection question: How do I love others, and in what ways can I grow to love them as God loves?

In a world saturated with relativism and misinformation, St. John’s call to “test the spirits” is more relevant than ever. True doctrine is essential because what we believe shapes how we live.

Reflecting on the profound identity of Jesus as both fully God and fully Man deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our resolve to stand firm in Truth. This understanding empowers us to live with authenticity, respecting and loving others while remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ.

Reflection question: How does a clearer understanding of Jesus’ identity inspire me to live out my faith more authentically?

St. John reminds us that living a righteous life means embracing our identity as children of God, created in His image and called to share in His love. Yet, in a world that often dismisses God, secularism leads to denial of our Creator, resulting in moral confusion and a loss of identity. Sin blinds us to our true nature, which is to love and live in communion with God.

Striving for purity and holiness requires us to follow Christ, who revealed the Way, the Truth, and the Life. However, this journey is not one of human effort alone. It is through the grace of the Holy Spirit, poured out by Christ’s death and resurrection, that we are empowered to overcome sin and grow in holiness.

How does recognising your identity as a child of God shape your life? In what areas do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit to deepen your journey toward holiness and righteousness?

Reflection question: In what areas of my life do I need to rely more fully on the grace of the Holy Spirit?

Can you remember the dreams that you once had before you entered your workplace or served in the ministry you’ve now been involved in for years? Our dreams can become buried over time – beneath our workloads, tiredness, and jadedness.

However, we can draw inspiration from the life of St. John the Baptist, who was never carried away by fame, glory, or other distractions, but was always mindful of his call from the Lord. He knew his place – to be a mere forerunner, and not the Messiah himself. He was always focused on his role to prepare people for the Messiah. He lived out his vocation in a manner that was true to himself and true to his calling, never deviating towards what God did not want of Him.

Let us pray for the grace to be like St. John the Baptist, ever focused on the dream that’s been planted on our hearts by God, so that we may ultimately live out our lives in accordance to His will.

Reflection question: What are some dreams that I have forgotten or overlooked over time?

St. John teaches us that as Christians, we must navigate the tension between living in the world and resisting its corrupt values. While the created world is inherently good, as affirmed in Genesis, and humanity is deeply loved by God, there is also a "world" that stands in rebellion against Him, characterised by selfishness, materialism, and moral decay. This rebellion stems from human misuse of creation, driven by sensuality, greed, and pride, which distort relationships and disrupt God’s intended order.

To live as true disciples of Christ, we must reclaim our identity as God’s children and follow Christ as the Way, Truth, and Life. This requires rejecting the temptations of worldliness and anchoring life in faith, prayer, and adherence to God's will. Like the prophetess Anna, who lived in hope and service to God, we are called to live in the world without being consumed by it, finding strength in God’s Word and guidance. By doing so, we become witnesses to the transformative power of God’s love, contributing to the renewal of creation and humanity's redemption.

Reflection question: What does it mean, for me, to live in the world but not be of the world?

Christmas is not just about receiving love. It is also about reciprocating that love for God. On the feast of St. John the Evangelist, we see another way of loving our Lord.

He was in exile for testifying to Jesus, and his entire life was lived for the love of Jesus and for his community, teaching them about the love of God in Christ and exhorting them to be united in love in Christ.

St. John reminds us that it is through an intimate relationship with our Lord that we are able to withstand hardship and suffering, and thus be able to love as God does.

Reflection question: What is preventing us from experiencing and reciprocating God’s love?

The feast of St Stephen, celebrated right after Christmas, serves as a powerful reminder that the joy of Christ’s birth is not just an event in history, but an invitation to welcome Him into our hearts and lives. This celebration calls us to give our all to Christ, just as He gave everything for us.

Like St Stephen, we are invited to immerse ourselves in the Word of God and deepen our relationship with Him through prayer. By doing so, we can learn to imitate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions.

Let us strive to do all things out of love and for the glory of God. Even if we do not see immediate results from our efforts, let us trust in the Lord’s plan, believing that He will work wonders with what we humbly offer. May we always remember that God, in His perfect time, will bring His will to completion.

Reflection question: In what areas of my life do I need to invite Jesus to be born anew, so that I can surrender more fully and trust in God’s plan?