St. John the Evangelist reveals that Jesus is the Son of God and Divine Word who was with God from the beginning and causes Creation to occur and offers all willing men the blessing of salvation. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by seeking the Gift of Understanding from the Holy Spirit so he can meditate upon the Glory of God and by building the Virtue of Religion so he can joyfully and zealously practice the Catholic faith.
Commentary
John’s Prologue a beautiful and stunning summary of the blessings mankind receives at the Nativity of Jesus Christ. John confirms that Jesus is the Son of God who comes into the world to allow all men who receive Him to become adopted sons of God and to enter into eternal life.
Jesus’ identity as the Son of God is revealed. The Son of God is with God before time and space exists in the beginning before the Creation (Gen 1:1-5). The Son of God is “with God” confirms that the Father and the Son are different Divine Persons, and “was God”, confirms the Divinity of Jesus Christ. The Son of God is the Father’s spoken “Word” by which God establishes Creation and then redeems fallen men through the Incarnation. The Son of God is wisdom itself, is the source of earthly and eternal life, light, truth and mercy, has the power to reveal God (through His miracles and wisdom), and grants men who believe in Him eternal life.
John reveals that the Son of God, by entering the world and coming to men, is Jesus, who enters the world in the Incarnation. Sadly, many in the world do not recognize Him, and Israel rejects Him. Those who respond and receive Him are given astounding blessings: the gift of enlightenment, truth and faith; the ability to know God personally; the gift of becoming adopted sons of God; the blessing of receiving overflowing and continual supernatural grace; the opportunity to receive eternal life in Heaven and to behold the glory of God forever. No man can receive these gifts through inheritance, natural birth, or will; only through faith in Christ Jesus can men receive these life-transforming blessings and be saved.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Though appearing in human form in Flesh and Blood, John the Evangelist confirms that Jesus is the Son of the Father from the beginning, and is The Word (Greek: Logos), the personification of the infinite wisdom (the perfection of knowledge and reason) of God. In the Humanity of Jesus, His Personality, all His teachings, all His behaviors and all His interactions with men are informed by His Divine Knowledge; Jesus never makes a mistake and does all things perfectly. Be awed.
Persistently seek to better know Jesus
Realize: A Catholic man can become lukewarm, unmoved by the beliefs and rituals of Catholicism, leaving him vulnerable to restlessness, sorrow and sin. The cause of this dangerous condition is the lack of a deep encounter with Jesus; every Catholic man who truly meets Jesus is miraculously transformed and soon discovers the vast treasury of the Church draws him ever closer to Jesus.
Believe: Reflect upon Knowing and Speaking of God (CCC 31-42, 46-49).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Fruit of Faithfulness so I always zealously desire and strive each day to know the Blessed Trinity better by learning all I can about You in Scripture, by speaking with You in prayer, and by receiving You in the Sacraments.
Rediscover the great mystery of Christmas
Realize: While a man can exhaust himself pursuing happiness in the world and lose the awe and joy of the great mystery of Christmas he had as a child, deep down, every man’s restlessness is a desire to draw closer to God, his Creator.
Believe: Reflect upon Men’s Desire for God (CCC 27-30, 44-45).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Gift of Wisdom so I can turn away from the world and be drawn by You to experience the awe and joy of the Son of God coming into the world at Christmas.