A Reflection on the First Sunday after Christmas Readings

The following reflection is heavily influenced by my first spiritual director and mentor The Reverend Canon Richard Valantasis. I met Richard at The Candler School of Theology where he introduced me to the contemplative tradition of the early church. I was unable to find his original reflection on these readings; however, to give you an idea of how impactful it was for me, this is my best rendition from memory. I hope you enjoy and have a slightly bigger picture of where my understanding of spirituality comes from. I hope you enjoy!

In the profound depths of the Gospel of John, we encounter a translation that speaks to the heart of our spiritual journey: "At the outset, there existed the dialogue, and this dialogue was alongside God, and indeed, the dialogue was divine." This passage invites us into a mesmerizing world of divine discourse, a realm where contemplation and action intertwine, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our relationship with the Divine.

Contemplatives engage in this sacred conversation, a divine discourse that is not just an exchange of words, but a profound connection of the self and the community to the evolving story of God's revelation. It's a narrative rich with the presence of God in all creation, especially in our personal and social lives as we step into this ongoing dialogue.

In this divine conversation, we do not seek to empty our minds but rather to fill them with the awareness of God's pervasive presence throughout creation. When we enter this dialogue, we bring along our incarnate challenges and concerns, linking every aspect of our lives to the source of life itself—the Word, the conversation, the presence of God dwelling among us. This is the essence of contemplation: to immerse oneself in divine discourse and, through it, to reshape all personal, social, and cosmic existence.

From this conversation emerges righteous action. Contemplation isn't a passive state; it's a catalyst for transforming the world back to God through divine discourse. Isaiah's vision becomes a metaphor for the contemplative's mission: “For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring before all the Nations.” The dialogue, as described by John, wasn't just in the beginning with God; it is God, and it naturally leads to the establishment of justice and righteousness in the world. It's not a secluded or private conversation but one that unites the entire cosmos with the divine intention.

The contemplative, engaged in this divine conversation, becomes a vessel of God's presence in the world. Just like the Psalmist describes, they heal, uplift, provide, and establish peace. They become the living embodiment of God's presence because they are part of the conversation, and this conversation is God.

At the heart of this dialogue is the Incarnation, a permanent union of the human and the divine. This union, as articulated by the Council of Chalcedon, doesn’t mix or confuse the two natures. We don't lose our identity in God, but we manifest divine energy in our human actions. Through the Incarnation of God in Jesus, we can demonstrate to others the divine energy infused in all creation. Our union with God through this divine discourse empowers us to reach out to the world, to restore it by bringing it into the divine conversation that is God with us. This is how we become God’s children by adoption, joining God's family and presence in the world.

This interpretation of John's Gospel invites us into a transformative experience. It's an invitation to engage actively in the divine discourse, to become participants in a conversation that has the power to renew and restore the world. It's a call to live out our identity as children of God, embodying the divine presence through our actions, our words, and our very being.