Meditation: The Bible opens with the Hebrew word bereshit, which means “in the beginning.” What does this mean? In one sense it means the beginning of time. But it also has a deeper meaning. St. John tells us in his gospel that “In the beginning was the Word.” Thus when Moses wrote “in the beginning,” the Fathers of the Church tell us that he signified the work of the Word, the preincarnate Christ, in the creation. All things were made for the incarnation. Thus, when the Word took on flesh two thousand years ago, He fulfilled the very purpose of creation.
Psalm verse: Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. (Ps 104:10-13)
Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, for the gift of the incarnation.
Scripture: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John 1:1-3, 14)
