Daily Readings - Sat Jan 11 2020
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 encounter profound reflections on trust, humility, and the nature of God's plan. The first reading from 1 John reminds us of the power of prayer and the importance of understanding sin. John reassures us that our prayers are heard when they align with God's will, encouraging us to intercede for others, especially those who sin. He distinguishes between sin that leads to death and other sins, emphasizing that not all sins are equal. This letter, written to early Christians facing Gnostic influences, reinforces the belief that those born of God do not sin and warns against idolatry, urging us to remain faithful to the true God.
The Gospel from John illustrates John the Baptist's humility and recognition of Jesus' supremacy. As Jesus' disciples baptize, a dispute arises, but John gracefully deflects attention, stating he is not the Messiah but merely the precursor. He joyfully steps back, acknowledging that Jesus must become central. This passage highlights the transition from John's ministry to Jesus', emphasizing the humility required to recognize and yield to God's plan.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's will, pray with confidence, and embrace humility. Like John the Baptist, we must recognize when it's time to step back and let Christ take center stage. Avoiding idolatry means keeping our focus on God, not worldly distractions. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan, practice humility, and let Jesus be the heart of our lives. As we navigate life's challenges, may we find strength in prayer and humility, keeping our eyes fixed on Christ.