Daily Readings - Sat Jan 12 2019
1 John
14And this is the confidence which we have toward God: that no matter what we shall request, in accord with his will, he hears us15And we know that he hears us, no matter what we request; so we know that we can obtain the things that we request of him16Anyone who realizes that his brother has sinned, with a sin that is not unto death, let him pray, and life shall be given to him who has sinned not unto death. There is a sin which is unto death. I am not saying that anyone should ask on behalf of that sin17All that is iniquity is sin. But there is a sin unto death18We know that everyone who is born of God does not sin. Instead, rebirth in God preserves him, and the evil one cannot touch him19We know that we are of God, and that the entire world is established in wickedness20And we know that the Son of God has arrived, and that he has given us understanding, so that we may know the true God, and so that we may remain in his true Son. This is the true God, and this is Eternal Life21Little sons, keep yourselves from false worship. Amen
John
22After these things, Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea. And he was living there with them and baptizing23Now John was also baptizing, at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water in that place. And they were arriving and being baptized24For John had not yet been cast into prison25Then a dispute occurred between the disciples of John and the Jews, about purification26And they went to John and said to him: "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, about whom you offered testimony: behold, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him.27John responded and said: "A man is not able to receive anything, unless it has been given to him from heaven28You yourselves offer testimony for me that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but that I have been sent before him29He who holds the bride is the groom. But the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to Him, rejoices joyfully at the voice of the groom. And so, this, my joy, has been fulfilled30He must increase, while I must decrease
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of prayer, sin, and humility. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes confidence in prayer, assuring us that our requests, when aligned with God's will, are heard. It also distinguishes between sins that lead to death and those that do not, offering hope for life through prayer for others. The Gospel from John presents John the Baptist's humble response to Jesus' rising influence, highlighting the importance of decreasing oneself so that Christ may increase.
Contextually, 1 John was written to early Christians facing Gnostic challenges, reinforcing the power of prayer and the nature of sin. John's letter comforts believers, assuring them of God's protection and the eternal life found in His Son. In John 3:22-30, John the Baptist addresses rivalry between his followers and Jesus' disciples, demonstrating humility and trust in God's plan.
Both readings intertwine through themes of humility and trust. John's humility mirrors the confidence in prayer from 1 John, showing that true service to God involves selflessness. Applying this to daily life, we are called to humble service and trust in God's will through prayer. The moral lesson is clear: embrace humility and trust in God, avoiding jealousy, and recognizing our role in His greater plan.