Octave of Christmas

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The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
1 Jn 2:12-17 Lk 2:36-40
In today’s reading, St. John writes to three groups within the Christian community: children, fathers, and young men. But why does John focus on these three groups, and why does he not mention women here? This has puzzled readers for centuries. Some might wonder if John is addressing only men, or if he’s distinguishing people by age or gender. But a closer look suggests that John is actually speaking to all members of the church, using these terms to represent different levels of spiritual maturity.
Three Groups, Not Just Three Ages
John is likely referring to the spiritual stages of a believer’s life, not their physical age or gender. In this context:
Children represent new believers who have received forgiveness and are learning to know God as their Father. Fathers represent spiritually mature individuals who have deep knowledge of Christ, the one "from the beginning." Young Men represent those who are strong in faith, carrying God’s Word within them, and have overcome the evil one.
John speaks to all members of the church, both men and women, in these terms because they reflect different stages in their spiritual journey. These labels are about spiritual growth and faith rather than biological gender or age.
John’s goal is to encourage everyone in the community by acknowledging their growth in faith and spiritual victories. He wants us to take confidence in what we have attained in Christ and to keep walking in His light.
The Role of Women
While John doesn’t explicitly mention women in this passage, we know from other parts of his letter that he speaks to the whole church, men and women alike (see 2:22–23, 4:2–3, 15). Therefore, we can confidently say that the message is for all believers, regardless of gender.
The Example of Anna
In the Gospel today, we encounter the prophetess Anna, who is an example of spiritual maturity. She, too, can be seen as a "father" in faith, speaking about the Child Jesus to others. Like Anna, all of us, regardless of age or gender, are called to share the message of Christ and speak about Him to the world.
Conclusion
John’s message is simple yet profound. He encourages the entire Christian community—whether new believers, mature Christians, or those in between—by affirming their spiritual progress and calling them to continue growing in faith. Just as Anna proclaimed the truth of Christ, we too are called to share the message of Jesus with others, regardless of where we stand in our spiritual journey.
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