Wisdom and Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the end of year reflection on our journey and challenge us to represent the Wisdom of love, faith, and truth to our community in the New Year.

Word and Vocation

The Reading from the First Letter of John warns of Antichrists in our environment.

* [2:18] It is the last hour: literally, “a last hour,” the period between the death and resurrection of Christ and his second coming. The antichrist: opponent or adversary of Christ; the term appears only in 1 John–2 John, but “pseudochrists” (translated “false messiahs”) in Mt 24:24 and Mk 13:22, and Paul’s “lawless one” in 2 Thes 2:3, are similar figures. Many antichrists: Matthew, Mark, and Revelation seem to indicate a collectivity of persons, here related to the false teachers.

* [2:19] Not really of our number: the apostate teachers only proved their lack of faith by leaving the community.

* [2:20] The anointing that comes from the holy one: this anointing is in the Old Testament sense of receiving the Spirit of God. The holy one probably refers to Christ. True knowledge is the gift of the Spirit (cf. Is 11:2), and the function of the Spirit is to lead Christians to the truth (Jn 14:17, 26; 16:13).

* [2:22–23] Certain gnostics denied that the earthly Jesus was the Christ; to deny knowledge of the Son is to deny the Father, since only through the Son has God been fully revealed (Jn 1:18; 14:8–9). (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 declares even inanimate creation is to offer praise to God.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Gospel of John is a prologue states the main themes of the gospel: life, light, truth, the world, testimony, and the preexistence of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Logos, who reveals God the Father.

* [1:1–18] The prologue states the main themes of the gospel: life, light, truth, the world, testimony, and the preexistence of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Logos, who reveals God the Father. In origin, it was probably an early Christian hymn. Its closest parallel is in other christological hymns, Col 1:15–20 and Phil 2:6–11. Its core (Jn 1:1–5, 10–11, 14) is poetic in structure, with short phrases linked by “staircase parallelism,” in which the last word of one phrase becomes the first word of the next. Prose inserts (at least Jn 1:6–8, 15) deal with John the Baptist.

* [1:1] In the beginning: also the first words of the Old Testament (Gn 1:1). Was: this verb is used three times with different meanings in this verse: existence, relationship, and predication. The Word (Greek logos): this term combines God’s dynamic, creative word (Genesis), personified preexistent Wisdom as the instrument of God’s creative activity (Proverbs), and the ultimate intelligibility of reality (Hellenistic philosophy). With God: the Greek preposition here connotes communication with another. Was God: lack of a definite article with “God” in Greek signifies predication rather than identification.

* [1:3] What came to be: while the oldest manuscripts have no punctuation here, the corrector of Bodmer Papyrus P75, some manuscripts, and the Ante-Nicene Fathers take this phrase with what follows, as staircase parallelism. Connection with Jn 1:3 reflects fourth-century anti-Arianism.

* [1:5] The ethical dualism of light and darkness is paralleled in intertestamental literature and in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Overcome: “comprehend” is another possible translation, but cf. Jn 12:35; Wis 7:29–30.

* [1:6] John was sent just as Jesus was “sent” (Jn 4:34) in divine mission. Other references to John the Baptist in this gospel emphasize the differences between them and John’s subordinate role.

* [1:7] Testimony: the testimony theme of John is introduced, which portrays Jesus as if on trial throughout his ministry. All testify to Jesus: John the Baptist, the Samaritan woman, scripture, his works, the crowds, the Spirit, and his disciples.

* [1:11] What was his own…his own people: first a neuter, literally, “his own property/possession” (probably = Israel), then a masculine, “his own people” (the Israelites).

* [1:13] Believers in Jesus become children of God not through any of the three natural causes mentioned but through God who is the immediate cause of the new spiritual life. Were born: the Greek verb can mean “begotten” (by a male) or “born” (from a female or of parents). The variant “he who was begotten,” asserting Jesus’ virginal conception, is weakly attested in Old Latin and Syriac versions.

* [1:14] Flesh: the whole person, used probably against docetic tendencies (cf. 1 Jn 4:2; 2 Jn 7). Made his dwelling: literally, “pitched his tent/tabernacle.” Cf. the tabernacle or tent of meeting that was the place of God’s presence among his people (Ex 25:8–9). The incarnate Word is the new mode of God’s presence among his people. The Greek verb has the same consonants as the Aramaic word for God’s presence (Shekinah). Glory: God’s visible manifestation of majesty in power, which once filled the tabernacle (Ex 40:34) and the temple (1 Kgs 8:10–11, 27), is now centered in Jesus. Only Son: Greek, monogenēs, but see note on Jn 1:18. Grace and truth: these words may represent two Old Testament terms describing Yahweh in covenant relationship with Israel (cf. Ex 34:6), thus God’s “love” and “fidelity.” The Word shares Yahweh’s covenant qualities.

* [1:15] This verse, interrupting Jn 1:14, 16 seems drawn from Jn 1:30.

* [1:16] Grace in place of grace: replacement of the Old Covenant with the New (cf. Jn 1:17). Other possible translations are “grace upon grace” (accumulation) and “grace for grace” (correspondence).

* [1:18] The only Son, God: while the vast majority of later textual witnesses have another reading, “the Son, the only one” or “the only Son,” the translation above follows the best and earliest manuscripts, monogenēs theos, but takes the first term to mean not just “Only One” but to include a filial relationship with the Father, as at Lk 9:38 (“only child”) or Heb 11:17 (“only son”) and as translated at Jn 1:14. The Logos is thus “only Son” and God but not Father/God.

(John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that the Magi left not knowing exactly where they were going (although they did have a star to guide them), how long they would be gone, or what dangers they would encounter. They committed their lives and best gifts to seeking and glorifying Christ. 

None of us knows what 2026 holds for us, but I encourage each of us to resolve to commit our lives to giving our best and our all to following our Lord, to serving Him by serving others, and to glorifying God in all that we do.

Loving God, thank you for the many times you blessed us this past year. Be especially close to those who are filled with pain, fear, want and loneliness. May our resolutions be to follow you, to serve you by serving others, and to use our best gifts – talents, skills, and resources – to glorify you. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The first-fruits of the Gospels,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"I think that John's Gospel, which you have enjoined us to examine to the best of our ability, is the first-fruits of the Gospels. It speaks of him whose descent is traced and begins from him who is without a genealogy... The greater and more perfect expressions concerning Jesus are reserved for the one who leaned on Jesus' breast. For none of the other Gospels manifested his divinity as fully as John when he presented him saying, 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:42), 'I am the way and the truth and the life' (John 14:6), 'I am the resurrection' (John 11:25), 'I am the door' (John 10:9), 'I am the good shepherd' (John 10:11)... We might dare say then that the Gospels are the first-fruits of all Scripture but that the first-fruits of the Gospels is that according to John whose meaning no one can understand who has not leaned on Jesus' breast or received Mary from Jesus to be his mother also." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.21-23) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 1:1-18 comments that our God is so generous to us! Like crashing waves, he floods us with one outpouring of grace after another. He offers us all that he has and all that he is—day after day, week after week, year after year. These waves of goodness are constantly washing over us, filling our hearts and helping us to become more like Jesus.

As you look toward the coming year, you can be sure that God will continue to pour out his grace upon you! He will remind you that he lives in you and will never leave. He will wash you clean and point your heart toward heaven. And in the riches of his grace, he will fill you with hope that one day, you will be with the Lord in paradise.

“Lord, I trust in your never-ending grace, today and always.” (Meditation on John 1:1-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the first reading from the Letter of John identifies the Anti Christ as those who oppose Christ, especially through Docetism. In Greek philosophy Incarnate God is not sensible. We have been anointed by the Spirit and live in life. In the Prologue to the Gospel, John has borrowed a useful hymn. The Word is a reference to The Word of God. In the Hebrew Testament, Wisdom was associated with God. The Word was “towards” as God is always drawing closer together. What a symbol this is for heaven; an eternal falling in love. The Prologue features Poetry of the Word and the Baptist who gives witness to the Word .The people decided not to accept Him The Word became flesh and the eternal Wisdom took on our reality and “pitched His tent among us, in Greek , a temporary living space. Jesus is “grace upon grace” with a few possible meanings. John phrases that we intend to receive one grace and then grace and truth "abounding in loving kindness (hesed) and truth (emet)." Friar Jude notes that through Jesus, as the fullness of grace, we no longer need various emissaries to communicate God’s will to us, now, Jesus is the only emissary we need.

Fr. Mike Schmitz concludes our journey through the Bible by reflecting on the promise of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21. It is this profound promise that reassures us that Christ is the beginning and the end, the one who makes all things new, the one who wipes away every tear, the one who conquers death, and the only one who offers us everlasting life, a life without end. Today's readings are Revelation 21-22, Hebrews 11-13, and Proverbs 31:30-31.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages us to find the wisdom revealed in the paradoxical nature of reality. It occurred to him that he has met so many people in the world who are already full of love and who really care for others. Maybe what we lack isn’t love but wisdom.

Jesus came to teach us the way of wisdom. He brought us a message that offers to liberate us from both the lies of the world and the lies lodged in ourselves. The words of the Gospels create an alternative consciousness, solid ground on which we can really stand, free from every social order and from every ideology. Jesus called this new foundation the reign of God, and he said it is something that takes place in this world and yet will never be completed in this world. This is where faith comes in. It’s so rare to find ourselves trusting—not in the systems and -isms of this world—but standing at a place where we offer our bit of salt, leaven, and light. Even then, we have no security that we’re really right. This means that we have to stand in an inconspicuous, mysterious place, a place where we’re not sure that we’re sure, where we are comfortable knowing that we do not know very much at all. (Rohr, n.d.)

The Word that is Life presents Wisdom and empowers our acts of loving kindness and truth that we hope will bear fruit in the New Year.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-31-2022 

John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?1 

Meditation on John 1:1-18. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/31/1462569/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2?18 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Wisdom for a New Year. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wisdom-for-a-new-year/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt among Us. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 31, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Choosing Christ

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn us about hostility to God in the “world” and invite us to celebrate Love in devotion to our family, friends, and vocation.

Choose Our Way

The Reading from the First Letter of John advises Members of the Community about the “world”.

* [2:12–17] The Christian community that has experienced the grace of God through forgiveness of sin and knowledge of Christ is armed against the evil one.

* [2:12] For his name’s sake: because of Christ our sins are forgiven.

* [2:15] The world: all that is hostile toward God and alienated from him. Love of the world and love of God are thus mutually exclusive; cf. Jas 4:4.

* [2:16] Sensual lust: literally, “the lust of the flesh,” inordinate desire for physical gratification. Enticement for the eyes: literally, “the lust of the eyes,” avarice or covetousness; the eyes are regarded as the windows of the soul. Pretentious life: literally, “pride of life,” arrogance or ostentation in one’s earthly style of life that reflects a willful independence from God and others. (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 proclaims that to the just ruler of all belongs worship.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Anna gives thanks for the Child.

* [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37). (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that our readings today remind us that we can continue to feel close to the light love of God by staying close to the will and word of God. It seems to me that the Christmas season is often more about the things of this world than a focus on our relationship with God.

Growing in faith and understanding of Christ as the light of the world has made Christmas so much more meaningful for me. All the enticements of the magic of Christmas in the things of this world not only distract us, but they fall away. But the true light of Christmas can give us confidence in our relationship with God, our father, and the strength we are given to conquer evil through the word of God. I can more confidently go into the darkness of winter and even certainly the darkness of my own sins, knowing I am defined by a loving relationship with God. It is my prayer that, in the days following Christmas, we can each find that light in our own lives and draw strength from it. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus, though rich, became poor for us,” by Ambrose of Milan,339-397 A.D.

"Anna, who, by reason of her years of widowhood and her virtues, is set before us as wholly worthy of belief, announces that the Redeemer of all people has come... Not without purpose, however, does he make mention of the eighty-four years of her widowhood, because both the seven twelves and the two forties seemed to imply a number that is sacred."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.62) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:36-40 comments that Anna teaches us that we can’t keep the good news of Jesus to ourselves. Even here, near the end of her life, Anna “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).

Today, pray for the faith that Anna had. Ask the Spirit to help you detect the presence of God in smallness, as Anna saw it in the Christ Child. Ask for the strength to trust him during times of waiting or sorrow. And ask for the boldness to tell someone about how God has been faithful to you. Tell them about the God who never stops reaching out to his children.

“Thank you, Lord, for coming to save us! St. Anna of Asher, pray for us!” (Meditation on Luke 2:36-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the author of 1 John speaks to the children, fathers, and young men based on knowledge of the faith. The author advises them to avoid the “world”, those elements that reject Jesus and live with concupiscence. Friar Jude underlines that we have to make choices about how to live. Anna the woman prophet, typical man and woman stories in Luke, recognizes Jesus. The Holy Family go to Nazareth where Jesus grows physically and psychologically. Friar Jude supports Jesus growing as a normal child living fully in the love of God.

Fr. Mike Schmitz dives into the fall of Babylon described in Revelation 18, pointing out how several images and expressions of this key chapter are taken from the judgmental oracles in the old testament, particularly those from the prophet Jeremiah. Fr. Mike also emphasizes the reality of God’s judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and how Christ’s sacrifice is presented to God in the heavenly sanctuary once and for all. Today we read Revelation 18-20, Hebrews 9-10, and Proverbs 31:26-29.

CAC core faculty member Carmen Acevedo Butcher speaks of how we can become agents of transformation and healing by giving of ourselves like salt and light:

Obviously salt and light look different on the surface, but they both fulfill their powerful natures by giving away or losing themselves. “You are salt and light” is a counter-cultural revolutionary statement, rich with psychological and embodied, empowering wisdom. May we remember that like the wise self-emptying of kenosis, being salt and light reminds us that no matter how broken or broken-hearted by the world’s suffering, we are love and are most ourselves when giving ourselves away, embracing grief’s salty tears.

May we remember we are God’s children. As Howard Thurman writes: “[Whoever] knows this is able to transcend the vicissitudes of life, however terrifying and look out on the world with quiet eyes.” [1]

May you and I see the world and everyone in it with quiet eyes and may we act in the world with kind hearts, being salt and light. Amen. (Butcher, n.d.)

We call upon the Spirit to use our gratitude and recognition of Christ in Love to activate our Baptismal role as priest, prophet and leader in our community.

References

Butcher, C. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/dissolving-into-love/ 

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-30-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?36 

Meditation on Luke 2:36-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/30/1462084/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2? 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?7 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Anna Recognized the Coming of Christ and Gave Thanks to God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/