Daily Readings - Mon Dec 31 2018
1 John
18Little sons, it is the last hour. And, as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have arrived. By this, we know that it is the last hour19They went out from among us, but they were not of us. For, if they had been of us, certainly they would have remained with us. But in this way, it is made manifest that none of them are of us20Yet you have the anointing of the Holy One, and you know everything21I have not written to you as to ones who are ignorant of the truth, but as to ones who know the truth. For no lie is of the truth
John
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word2He was with God in the beginning3All things were made through Him, and nothing that was made was made without Him4Life was in Him, and Life was the light of men5And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it6There was a man sent by God, whose name was John7He arrived as a witness to offer testimony about the Light, so that all would believe through him8He was not the Light, but he was to offer testimony about the Light9The true Light, which illuminates every man, was coming into this world10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not recognize him11He went to his own, and his own did not accept him12Yet whoever did accept him, those who believed in his name, he gave them the power to become the sons of God13These are born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God14And the Word became flesh, and he lived among us, and we saw his glory, glory like that of an only-begotten son from the Father, full of grace and truth15John offers testimony about him, and he cries out, saying: "This is the one about whom I said: ‘He who is to come after me, has been placed ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 16And from his fullness, we all have received, even grace for grace17For the law was given though Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ18No one ever saw God; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he himself has described him
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the enduring presence of truth amidst the challenges of our faith. The first reading from 1 John 2:18-21 warns us about the presence of antichrists, who, though once part of the community, have left, revealing their true nature. This passage reassures us that as believers, we are anointed with the Holy One's wisdom, enabling us to discern truth from falsehood. It calls us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in the truth we know.
The Gospel from John 1:1-18 beautifully introduces Jesus as the eternal Word, the source of all creation and the light of humanity. This passage highlights John the Baptist's role as a witness to this light, emphasizing that Jesus, the Word made flesh, brings grace and truth to the world. It invites us to recognize and embrace the divine light that illuminates our path.
Together, these readings remind us to be vigilant against false teachings and to hold fast to the truth of Christ. In our daily lives, we are called to discernment, staying rooted in the teachings of Jesus and allowing His light to guide us through life's challenges. Let us embrace the grace and truth offered through Jesus, trusting in His guidance to navigate the darkness and remain steadfast in our faith.