Daily Readings - Wed Dec 30 2020

¹²I am writing to you, little sons, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of his name¹³I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, adolescents, because you have overcome the evil one¹⁴I am writing to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one¹⁵Do not choose to love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the charity of the Father is not in him¹⁶For all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the arrogance of a life which is not of the Father, but is of the world¹⁷And the world is passing away, with its desire. But whoever does the will of God abides unto eternity

Luke

Chapter 2

³⁶And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity³⁷And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day³⁸And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel³⁹And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth⁴⁰Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful calls to live our lives with a focus on the eternal rather than the fleeting. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that our true identity and strength come from God. John addresses different groups—little children, fathers, young men—each with a unique reminder of their relationship with God. He warns us against the allure of the world, which can lead us away from God’s love. The things of this world, driven by fleshly desires and pride, are transient and will pass away. True fulfillment and lasting peace come from doing God’s will and abiding in His love. The Gospel presents us with the figure of Anna, a prophetess whose life was a testament to unwavering faith and devotion. As a widow who spent her days in prayer and fasting, Anna exemplifies what it means to live a life rooted in God. Her recognition of the infant Jesus and her eagerness to share the news with others show us the fruit of a life dedicated to seeking God. Anna’s story teaches us that when we prioritize prayer and a deep relationship with God, we become attuned to His presence and purposes in the world. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we allowing the world to shape our desires and priorities, or are we seeking to live according to God’s will? Like Anna, we are called to cultivate a life of prayer and devotion, trusting that God’s plan for us is greater than anything the world can offer. Let us evaluate where our hearts are rooted and strive to live in a way that reflects our eternal identity in Christ. By doing so, we will find true strength, wisdom, and fulfillment, even in the midst of life’s challenges.