The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

It’s not easy to walk as Jesus walked. Our sins can be constant obstacles and stumbling blocks along the narrow path to Paradise. We can let pride, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, greed, and sloth either lead us to do evil or cause us to forego an opportunity to do good. If we want to know, love, and serve God and His children, then we have to strive to be Christ-like in everything we think, say, or do. It is only by imitating Christ that we can be truly perfected in him. It is not enough to claim we are disciples. We also have to follow in his footsteps and become living sacrifices to God for the good of others.

Do we keep God’s commandments? Do we truly know, love, and serve God and His children? Are we united with Christ as we make our spiritual journey?

O Lord, we want to walk just as you walked from Bethlehem to Calvary, from cradle to grave.

Amen.