30 December 2025 - The 6th day in the Octave of Christmas
Homily
The religion of Israel was entirely centered on ritual worship and on the Temple of Israel, the privileged place for this worship. At the same time, the prophets called for conversion of heart, justice and love. Tensions had never been lacking between those in charge of the cult and its laws on the one hand and the prophets on the other. When Jesus appeared, the priests and doctors of the law had imposed themselves on the people, but there were no longer any prophets. The whole of Jesus' teaching will consist in showing that what his Father expects of men is not primarily cultic or ritual observance, but the practice of love, justice and mercy, in the image of his Father's attitude towards us.