Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday, the sixth day in the Octave of Christmas, December 30th, 2025

Delivered by Nia from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 John 2: 12-17; Rs psalm 96: 7-8a.8b-9.10; Lukas 2: 36-40.LOVE OF GOD CONQUERS LOVE OF THE WORLD  Our meditation today is entitled: Love of God ConquersLove of the World. The first letter of John in today's first reading invitesthe faithful to re-examine the direction of their love and the attachment oftheir lives. The writer of the letter reminds us that Jesus Christ has forgiventhe sins of mankind through His loving obedience, even to the point ofsuffering and death.  That sacrifice is not ordinary, but an act ofredemption that changes man's relationship with God. Christ bore the punishmentthat should fall upon men, that they might be reconciled to the Father andobtain new life. Therefore, the life of believers is no longer based on worldlydesires, but on love for the Lord, the Savior. In response to that redeeming love, John invites thepeople to strengthen their love for God, not for the world and everything init. The world in the sense of this letter is not God's good creation, but asystem of human desires that is selfish and takes the men away from God.Everything that comes from the world—the desires of the flesh, the lusts of theeyes, and the pride of life—do not come from the Father. When man allowshimself to be dominated by that impulse, he loses his love for God. The desire of the flesh points to an impulse thatindulges lust and unbridled self-pleasure. Eye desire is an inner attitude thatis easily attracted to outward things, position, and possession, as ifhappiness were measured by what is seen. While the arrogance of life reflectspride that is rooted in a sense of self-sufficiency, without the need for God.Even though all this is temporary and will pass, because the world with all itsdesires is heading for destruction. On the contrary, those who abide in God'slove will live forever. Love for God is not just a religious feeling, but areal life choice. It is manifested in obedience, faithfulness, and awillingness to rearrange the priorities of life according to God's will. Itgives a new direction to the way humans view suffering, sacrifice, and service. One of the beautiful examples of faith is displayed bythe prophetess Hannah in the Gospel of Luke. After experiencing a life that wasnot easy, she chose to stay in the Temple, praying and fasting day and night.Hannah did not seek comfort in worldly things, but offered her life to God infaithfulness and hope. When little Jesus was presented in the Temple, Hannahwas able to recognize God's work of salvation and praise Him. Her attitudeshows that a heart that is directed to God will be sensitive to His presence. Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O merciful God,purify our minds and hearts from all the desires of this world that take ourattention away from You and save us from all the temptations of this world.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost ... In the name of theFather ...