This week’s reflection is adapted from a Christmas homily, given some years ago by Fr. Richard Rohr, an old acquaintance and collaborator, a well-known writer on spirituality, and the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

I know because it is Christmas you are hoping for some very special meditation. I do not think I have one, because there is really only one message. We just have to keep saying it until finally we are open enough to hear it and to believe it. There is no separation between God and creation. That is the message…

And so, this Word, this Eternal Word of God that we read about in the prologue to John’s Gospel, took its abiding place on Earth, to heal every bit of separation that we experience. That separation is the sadness of humanity.

When we feel separate, when we feel disconnected, when we feel split from our selfs, from family, from reality, we can become depressed people. We know we were not created for that separateness. We were created for union.

So, God sent into the world the one who would personify that union—who would put human and divine together, who would put spirit and matter together. That is what we spend our whole life trying to believe: that this ordinary earthly sojourn means something.

Sometimes we wake up in the morning wondering, what does it all mean? What’s it all for? What was I put here for? Where is it all heading?

I believe it is all a school. And it is all a school of love. And everything is a lesson — everything. Every day, every moment, every visit to the grocery store, every moment of our so-ordinary life is meant to reveal: I am a daughter of God. I am a son of the Lord. I am a sibling of Christ. It is all okay. I am already home free. There is no place I have to go. I am already here.

“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”

 

My very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

And sincere thanks to all who contributed to my annual appeal.

I will return to Another Voice on January 8, 2025.

Jack

Dr. John A. Dick – Historical Theologian