Daily Readings - Tue Dec 28 2021
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 interplay of light and darkness, sin and redemption, and the trust we must place in God’s providence. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that God is light, and to walk in His light means living truthfully and humbly, acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness. John reassures us that Jesus Christ, the Just One, is our Advocate, who not only forgives our sins but also offers His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. This passage calls us to honesty about our failings and trust in God’s mercy.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a dramatic contrast between the light of Christ and the darkness of human sin. Herod’s ruthless attempt to destroy the infant Jesus symbolizes the world’s resistance to the light of God. Yet, in the midst of danger, Joseph trusts in God’s guidance, obeying the angel’s command to flee to Egypt. This passage reminds us that even in uncertain and perilous times, God’s plan unfolds, and His promises are fulfilled. The Holy Family’s journey into exile and their eventual return from Egypt echo the prophet’s words, “Out of Egypt, I called my son,” a foreshadowing of Jesus’ mission to redeem all humanity.
In our own lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable, like the darkness Herod represents. But today’s readings encourage us to walk in the light of truth, to acknowledge our sins, and to trust in God’s providence. Like Joseph, we are called to listen to God’s voice, even in the stillness of the night, and to act with faith. Let us remember that Jesus, our Advocate, is always with us, offering forgiveness and strength. May we, like the Holy Family, trust in God’s plan and find refuge in His light, even when the world around us seems filled with darkness.