The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Reading 1 1 John 2:3-11
Beloved:
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.
Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Alleluia Luke 2:32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 2:22-35
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
- Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
December 29, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 1 John 2:3-11
Reflect on the Word //
Unpacking the last lunch box in the kitchen, my eyes welled with tears. The children were doing homework, swinging on the sensory swing, sorting their Pokémon cards—and I was overwhelmed. My husband was loading the dishwasher as we were running through the week’s calendar—and I was drowning. Leaning against the kitchen counter, the tears began flowing. And flowing and flowing. I had been standing on the precipice of an emotional breakdown and now I was falling. I reached out to my doctor and set up an emergency mental health consultation.
Although intimidated by the process of looking for a new therapist, I knew that I was sitting in a dark depression that needed to be brought to light. Between my work schedule, my home schedule, the kids’ schedules, and the day-to-day overwhelm, I was wading through a dark night that needed a true light—one that is already shining. I had a consultation with a new therapist and I cried the whole time. It was freeing and cathartic and difficult. But I am comforted knowing that “the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:8). In the darkest place of my depression, I am comforted by His light.
The Lord is the brightest light, and He shows us again and again that He will never leave us in darkness. When things are heavy and overwhelming, He will carry our burdens. When things feel dark and hopeless, He will give us hope. In our lowest of lows, He will bring us from the shadows.
Relate to the Lord // Has there been some dimness in your life or heart these days? Bring it to Jesus, the Light of the World, and ask Him to illuminate it with His love and hope.
Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife and mom to four little ones and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group and does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings. She was a contributing author to All She Had. and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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