December 31, 2024 // Optional Memorial of Saint Sylvester I, Pope
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: John 1:1-18
Reflect on the Word //
The folding chairs creaked as the group of freshmen turned around to the sound of the altar cloths shuffling. The monstrance was lifted by the priest who began processing down the makeshift aisle. His way was lit by the vigil candle and a headlamp adhered to the pillar, spotlighting the place that was prepared for Jesus in the Eucharist to be exposed. We sang the hymn “O Salutaris Hostia” as knees young and old alike fell to the ground in adoration of the One Who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
We knelt before Him, each hoping that He would break through the reality of life. In this late evening Holy Hour on freshman retreat, students and chaperones alike beheld His glory, begging to be enlightened by He Who is the True Light. Heads were bowed down and the confession line grew. We lived in the hope that He would conquer the darkness and dispel the recently identified lies within our hearts with the truth of His love.
During that time of Eucharistic Adoration, Christ proved again that He does, in fact, desire to dwell among us. Amid the lies and walls each of us had acquired to protect ourselves against the growing darkness, the Word broke through and made a new world that could only come “to be through Him” (John 1:3).
Jesus extends the same invitation to each one of us. He dwells with us in this moment today, the Word Made Flesh, present to you in the Words of the Gospel. As we pray with the Word, we can offer Him the lies that have built up around our hearts and look for the Light that desires to consume the darkness.
All that He asks of us is to receive Him, to let Him.
In the darkness, He reminds us that He is always with us. If we come before Him in Adoration and in His Word, surrendering to the light of His love, He gives each of us the power to know ourselves as He knows us—beloved children of the God Who makes all things new.
Relate to the Lord // Ponder the Gospel passage again; consider the way the Lord looks upon you with love.
Senite Sahlezghi is a consecrated virgin for the Archdiocese of Denver. Native to Colorado, she is a first generation Eritrean American, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s in Counseling Psychology, and serves as the School Counselor for St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Grateful to be in a place surrounded by mountains and live music, the greatest privilege of her life remains being called to be Christ’s bride.
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