Friday Thought: Presenting the truth

Although people could be saying, you’re no craic without alcohol, or might be hinting what they imagine your lockdown routines to revolve around. Regardless of the above, there were two presents bought, one by a brother, and the other by my sister, which seem to indicate a common family conception. I’m obviously losing the battle with weight. For my sister presented me with new runners and my brother gifted me earphones I could wear while running that detailed my heart rate, weight loss and number other factors essential to my health and well-being.

Needless to say, I got the message and will be back running the roads, some time in 2021. With the mention of the New Year, we enter the dangerous realm of New Year’s resolutions. In this context I found myself scanning through a number of articles in my News app on my tablet. Two articles in particular focussed on healthy diets and healthy exercise routines for middle aged men. In a season of fitness, diet and health fads, it’s reassuring to know that the ancient wisdom of moderation and balance is the best outlook on life for a healthy mind and body. Now, the disconcerting aspect of the news reports related to all matters dealing with portion control. I’m not used to portion control, especially when cooking for one. Portion control according to the experts focuses on grammes consumed, whereas I’m dealing in the realm’s kilogrammes and pots, especially pots of curry, pasta pots and pots of soups and stews. Portion control for myself, means resisting my daily intake to one pot of food, for either lunch or dinner.

At this stage I’m going to the ignore the phenomenon of lockdown belly, although regardless, the recent festive celebrations have contributed to tidal wave of weight grain. It’s at crisis moments like these, that resolutions and promises come into focus. Yet, many of the experts warn against short terms fixes, either diets, fasting or fitness fads like bootcamp.

Change has to be lifelong and sustainable. What are the long-term habits and routines, which govern and shape our lives?

During the season of Christmas, the readings by introducing the infancy stories, point beyond the drama to the truth encapsulated in the mystery of Jesus Christ. By drawing on the ancient expectations of the Jewish scripture, with references to cosmic signs in the sky and the hope of gathering of the gentiles, the evangelists help us to come to a fuller understanding of who Jesus is. What is contained in the scene of John’s prologue, is the seeds of what will be revealed throughout his gospel, his theological understanding of Jesus.

John’s hearers would have been very familiar with his scriptural allusions, the cultural background and religious hinterland, which situated his writing. In Jesus Christ, we encounter the one who is the fulfilment of all the ancient promises.

In the life and mission of Jesus, we have revealed the light sent to enlighten all nations. Today, we’re charged with continuing the mission of Jesus, to be a light to the nations. As we enter this New Year, have we confronted the truth of our own witness or lack of witness, to the presence of the Christ-child this Christmas season. God sent his only begotten son into this world out of desire to gather all his people into the Kingdom. This Kingdom isn’t simply a future promise, nor an alternative reality, for those who wish to dream of magical wonderlands. Building the Kingdom, begins here and now, Jesus entered this world to be a beacon in the midst of darkness and despair. God continues to offer the world hope, so, can we lay our gifts at the service of God’s desire to gather the nations?