A meditation preached on January 31, 2025, last day of the year, at Lyncroft centre.

Traditionally, in the old Mass, after the priest had given the blessing, before returning to the sacristy, he would read the prologue of John’s Gospel about the preexistence of the Word, from all eternity that had now become flesh. This Gospel was a way to seal the Mass with the mystery of the incarnation, reminding the faithful of what they had received. Our faith is an encounter with the incarnate Logos, not merely an ethical system of good ideas. The apostles were energized by this truth at Pentecost. Now we too feel this same sense of mission as we embark on 2026.

Music: O Come O Come Emmanuel. On X from Catholic Arena.

Thumbnail: Icon of the enthroned Virgin and Child with saints George, Theodore and angels, 6th century, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai.

St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, Egypt)