Click here to read the daily readings from the USCCB website.

Our first readings during these last few days of Christmas have all come from the 1st book of John. In my own prayer over the readings I've noticed a theme of "God's ways are not our ways." I feel like we usually say this little mantra when we're struggling to understand why God is doing something that feels like it hurts or He's not answering a prayer in the way we desire. 

I don't think that's exactly what this message for me has been. "God's ways are not our ways." Conversely, our ways are not God's ways. We hear this same idea from St. Paul in Romans 7:15-20, "For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do." We may desire to do good, but naturally our bodies and desires are geared towards self-centeredness. 

I believe that's why the last few days have focused on following the commandments of God and not our own selfish desires. In order to do that faithfully, we need to recognize our need for Jesus. Sin dwells within us but our Savior is greater than any sin and He has redeemed us. 

Today St. John continues to invite us to recognize God in our lives. He reminds us that our "sins have been forgiven for His name's sake, (we) know Him who is from the beginning, (we) have conquered the Evil One, (we) know the Father, (we) are strong and the word of God remains in (us)." When we can see and recognize God, then we can love Him. When we see and recognize God we realize the ways He is generous to us and our soul will desire to praise Him.

That's how Anna the prophetess lived in the Gospel. She was a widow, one who would be among the poorest of the poor in her time, but she "worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer." Even in her poverty, she recognized the goodness of God. Someone once told me a story of an interaction they had with a homeless woman. She said to them, "Don't feel bad for me. I have more spiritually than you can imagine."

These two women, one from the Gospel and one from our own streets, loved God over the world. They did not worry about how He was going to take care of them; they just knew He would. We don't need to be homeless to learn that lesson, but detatchment from the goods and pleasures of the world is still required. What's the first step you'll take today?