Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

Brief Background:

Thomas Becket (c. 1119–1170) was the Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the most famous martyrs of the Middle Ages. Originally a close friend and trusted chancellor of King Henry II of England, Becket underwent a profound conversion after being appointed archbishop, choosing to defend the freedom and rights of the Church even when it put him in direct conflict with the king. His firm stand against royal interference in Church matters led to his dramatic martyrdom in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170, when he was murdered by knights loyal to the king. Thomas Becket is the patron saint of clergy, secular clergy, altar servers, and those who defend the Church against unjust authority, and he remains a powerful witness to courage, conscience, and fidelity to Christ above all earthly power.

REFLECTION:

Let’s go back to the days before Christmas.

What did we do? We thought about the people we love and those closest to us, and we searched for the right gift — not out of obligation, but out of love. We gathered as families, shared stories and laughter, and reminded one another, sometimes without even saying it, you are loved.

We exchanged gifts with co-workers, teachers, and even our bosses. There was a softness in the air. We felt love move beyond our immediate circles, stirring us to give to charities and to those in need. Maybe we participated in an Angel Tree, choosing a name written on a small piece of paper and giving a gift to a child or family we have never met. Yet in that simple act, a real connection was formed.

How beautiful those moments are — moments of selfless love, quiet sacrifice, and generosity without expecting anything in return.

This lived experience helps us understand today’s Scripture from First Epistle of John, especially 1 John 2:3–11. John is writing to a Christian community struggling with what it truly means to know God. Some were claiming faith with their words, but their lives lacked love. John makes it clear: knowing God is not about what we say, but about how we live.

He writes, “Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar… Whoever claims to live in Him must walk just as He walked.” And then John names the commandment clearly: love. To walk in the light is to love one another; to refuse love is to remain in darkness.

This is where Christmas comes into focus.

At Christmas, we proclaim that the Word became flesh so that we could walk as He walked. God did not remain distant or abstract. He entered our world as a child, showing us what love looks like in human form — closeness, humility, mercy, and self-gift. The love we so naturally lived in the days leading up to Christmas is exactly the love John is calling the Church to live every day.

But now comes the challenge.

As the decorations come down and ordinary routines return, the question remains: can we continue to walk in that light for the next 365 days of the year? Can we live Christmas not just as a season, but as a way of life?



John reminds us that the true light is already shining. Christmas continues in how we love — when generosity becomes a habit, forgiveness a choice, and compassion a daily practice. If we truly walk as He walked, then the love born in Bethlehem will not fade. It will continue to shine through us, long after the season has passed.