The Christmas Apostle by John Bartunek

Author:John Bartunek [Bartunek, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781979228954
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2017-11-26T05:00:00+00:00

1 Butler, A. (1903). The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints (Vol. 4, p. 786). New York: P. J. Kenedy.

CONCLUSION: IT’S ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS There is a reason this story was so carefully preserved and passed on by the early Christians. It shows that Christmas can happen at any time and in any place, not just on December 25th. For what was St. John doing when he went in pursuit of that young man if not exactly the same thing that Jesus was doing when he came to earth, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Jesus loved us too much to let us wallow in darkness and sin. He came to get us, to rescue us, to embrace and redeem us and lead us back to our true and lasting home in the Father’s house.

The more fully we savor and rejoice in the love of God that moved him to pursue us even into the wild hills of our banditry and confusion, the more our own hearts will begin to beat with the same courageous love. And that’s when, like St. John, we will become Christmas Apostles, bearers of Christ’s light and hope wherever we go, whether it’s Christmas time or not.

Advent is God’s invitation for us to take some extra time to savor and rejoice in his love for us. Let’s do that right now. In the conference, we will reflect a bit more on how to live Advent well. But for now, take some time to prayerfully reflect on the battle of good and evil that’s always unfolding in our world and our lives, and on the secret weapon of Christ-like love that never ceases to win the victory. The following questions and quotations may help your meditation.

QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION/GROUP DISCUSSION 1. Throughout my life, how has God “pursued” me when I was going astray? Remember, savor, and thank the Lord for those interventions.

2. Have I ever lovingly pursued someone who was in spiritual danger? What happened? How willing would I be to do this now if God asked it of me?

3. What can I do this Advent to become a true “Christmas Apostle” myself?

QUOTATIONS TO HELP YOUR PRAYER And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God … Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

—John 3:19–21; 8:12 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

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