Daily Readings - Mon Dec 28 2020
1 John
5And this is the announcement which we have heard from him, and which we announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness6If we claim that we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, then we are lying and not telling the truth7But if we walk in the light, just as he also is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin8If we claim that we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us9If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity10If we claim that we have not sinned, then we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us
Matthew
13And after they had gone away, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: "Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and flee into Egypt. And remain there until I tell you. For it will happen that Herod will seek the boy to destroy him.14And getting up, he took the boy and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt15And he remained there, until the death of Herod, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Out of Egypt, I called my son.16Then Herod, seeing that he had been fooled by the Magi, was very angry. And so he sent to kill all the boys who were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had learned by questioning the Magi17Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying18"A voice has been heard in Ramah, great weeping and wailing: Rachel crying for her sons. And she was not willing to be consoled, because they were no more.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of light, darkness, and the trustworthiness of God’s plan. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that God is light, and to walk in His light means to live in truth and fellowship with one another. John emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, for it is only through humility and confession that we experience God’s mercy and cleansing. He also reassures us that Jesus, the Just One, is our Advocate before the Father, interceding for us and for the whole world.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a dramatic scene from the early life of Jesus: the flight into Egypt. Joseph, acting on the instructions of an angel, trusts God’s plan and flees with Mary and the child Jesus to escape Herod’s violence. This passage underscores the tension between light and darkness, as Herod’s jealousy and desire for power lead to great suffering. Yet, even in the midst of darkness, God’s plan unfolds, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus, like the Israelites of old, would be called out of Egypt. The weeping of Rachel for her children echoes the universal human experience of loss and sorrow, but it also points to the hope of redemption that Jesus brings.
These readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when the path is uncertain or fraught with difficulty. Like Joseph, we are invited to listen for God’s voice and act with faith, even in the face of fear or doubt. Like John, we are reminded to walk in the light, acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, so that we may live in truth and fellowship with one another. May we, like the Holy Family, find the courage to trust in God’s providence and to seek refuge in Him, for He is our Advocate, our Light, and our Salvation.