Daily Readings - Sat Jan 05 2019
1 John
11For this is the announcement that you heard from the beginning: that you should love one another12Do not be like Cain, who was of the evil one, and who killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked, but his brother’s works were just13If the world hates you, brothers, do not be surprised14We know that we have passed from death to life. For we love as brothers. Whoever does not love, abides in death15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding within him16We know the love of God in this way: because he laid down his life for us. And so, we must lay down our lives for our brothers17Whoever possesses the goods of this world, and sees his brother to be in need, and yet closes his heart to him: in what way does the love of God abide in him18My little sons, let us not love in words only, but in works and in truth19In this way, we will know that we are of the truth, and we will commend our hearts in his sight20For even if our heart reproaches us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things21Most beloved, if our heart does not reproach us, we can have confidence toward God
John
43On the next day, he wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me.44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter45Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.46And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good be from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and he said about him, "Behold, an Israelite in whom truly there is no deceit.48Nathanael said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus responded and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.49Nathanael answered him and said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.50Jesus responded and said to him: "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.51And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and love. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that love is not merely a feeling but a call to action. John contrasts the wickedness of Cain, who allowed jealousy to lead him to murder, with the righteousness of Abel. This serves as a stark reminder that our actions must reflect our faith, and that true love is demonstrated through selfless acts, not just words. The Gospel reading from John introduces us to Philip and Nathanael, whose encounter with Jesus illustrates the journey from doubt to belief. Nathanael's initial skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth is transformed into a profound declaration of faith when Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael's heart. This exchange shows that faith often begins with small steps of trust and can grow into something much deeper.
Both readings emphasize the connection between belief and action. In 1 John, we are urged to love not in words but in truth and action. Similarly, in the Gospel, Nathanael's belief in Jesus leads him to follow Him, demonstrating that faith is not static but dynamic. The readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in tangible ways, whether through acts of love and service or through trusting in God's plan even when it seems unclear.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living out our faith in ways that reflect God's love? Do we allow doubt to hold us back, or do we take steps of trust, like Nathanael, to deepen our relationship with God? The moral lesson here is clear: love and faith are not abstract concepts but lived experiences. Just as Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree, He sees us in our own struggles and invites us to follow Him. May we respond with hearts open to His love, trusting that He will reveal greater things to us as we walk in faith.