LIVE IT TODAY: Saturday, December 27, 2025 | Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
Come close and see—love reveals what fear and distance never can.
Christmas Blessings!
We are deeply grateful to share this journey with you—encountering Jesus Christ more fully and becoming instruments of His presence.
One simple way you can help is by “liking” this reflection. If someone comes to mind while reading, please share.
We are delighted to share with you The Inn Crowd — a very moving Christmas short story. Weekly Live IT radio program and podcast coming soon.
We wish you and your family abundant Christmas blessings!
LIVE IT TODAY: Saturday, December 27, 2025 | Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
SUBSCRIBE FREE: LiveITToday.us
GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
Come close and see—love reveals what fear and distance never can.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | John 20:2–8
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him."
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Love sees what others miss because love dares to draw near.
The Church places the Feast of Saint John immediately after the blood-red witness of Saint Stephen, and the contrast is deliberate. Stephen teaches us how to die for Christ. John teaches us how to live in Him. Both are forms of martyrdom—one by blood, the other by abiding love.
John is remembered in the Gospel as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” This is not sentimental favoritism, but theological insight. John’s authority flows not from office or force, but from intimacy. At the Last Supper, he reclines close enough to hear the heartbeat of Christ. At the Cross, he remains when others flee. At the empty tomb, he sees and believes.
In the Resurrection account, John runs faster than Peter yet waits at the entrance. Love does not compete; it reverences. When he finally enters, the Gospel says simply that he saw and believed. The Greek word used for “saw” here implies perception with meaning—an interior seeing shaped by relationship, not mere evidence.
This is the wisdom John brings to the Christmas octave. God reveals Himself not only through power and sacrifice, but through closeness. The Incarnate Word invites us near. Love precedes understanding. Belief grows not merely by explanation, but by presence.
This has everything to do with family life. The domestic church is formed not primarily by arguments or rules, but by relationship. Children learn faith less from what we say than from how near we remain—especially when things are confusing, painful, or unresolved.
Here the Enemy whispers a familiar lie: that distance is safer, detachment is wiser, and emotional withdrawal is strength. But John’s witness exposes the lie. Love that stays close becomes the place where truth is recognized.
We parents are called to cultivate homes where love is patient, present, and attentive. We model faith by staying near—near our spouse in difficulty, near our children in questions, near God in prayer even when answers are not immediate. We build saint-forming homes when we choose proximity over avoidance and fidelity over control, praying over our children by name and trusting that love rooted in Christ will always bear fruit.
“The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it.” (CCC 1816)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: Where is God inviting me to draw nearer rather than hold back?
In My Home: How can our family grow in faith through presence, listening, and love?
In My World: Where might quiet, faithful closeness be a more powerful witness than words?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, share one way each person feels most loved and supported in your family.
Then, one by one, pray over each person by name, asking for an outpouring of grace to know God’s love personally, freedom from the whispers and lies of the Enemy, strength to overcome temptation, and the grace to live the Gospel with fidelity and love.
Daily Challenge:
Choose one intentional act of presence today—listening without distraction, staying engaged in a hard conversation, or praying silently with someone you love.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
ENTER THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME: LifeTimeRide.com
Listen to the moving song, Ride Of A Lifetime:
Spotify | Apple | Other
TODAY’S SPONSORSHIP
Dr. Eric and Annie Dudenhoeffer, Parschauer Eye Center | 2600 Hayes Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870 | (419) 625-6181
Would you, your business or organization like to help us spread these daily reflections? Contact us at Alive@MassImpact.us to learn more.
WE WANT TO PRAY FOR YOU!
Please share your prayer intentions in the comments at LiveITToday.us.