Daily Readings - Wed Dec 29 2021

³And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments⁴Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him⁵But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him⁶Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked⁷Most beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the old commandment, which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word, which you have heard⁸Then too, I am writing to you a new commandment, which is the Truth in him and in you. For the darkness has passed away, and the true Light is now shining⁹Whoever declares himself to be in the light, and yet hates his brother, is in the darkness even now¹⁰Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of offense in him¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, and in darkness he walks, and he does not know where he is going. For the darkness has blinded his eyes

Luke

Chapter 2

²²And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord²³just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,²⁴and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.²⁵And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him²⁶And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord²⁷And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law²⁸he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said²⁹"Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation³¹which you have prepared before the face of all peoples³²the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.³³And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him³⁴And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: "Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted³⁵And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, obedience, and the light of God that guides us through the darkness of the world. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that knowing God is not merely an intellectual exercise but a lived experience rooted in keeping His commandments. John emphasizes that love for our brothers and sisters is a fundamental expression of walking in the light of God. He warns that hatred and darkness blind us, separating us from the truth of God’s love. This passage calls us to examine our actions and relationships, ensuring that they reflect the charity and truth of God’s Word. In the Gospel, Luke presents the scene of Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple for purification, in accordance with Jewish law. Here, Simeon, a righteous and Spirit-filled man, recognizes Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the light of revelation to the nations. Simeon’s prophecy also reveals the deeper significance of Jesus’ mission: He will bring both salvation and division, and Mary, as the Mother of the Messiah, will share in the sorrows of His redemptive work. This passage underscores the universal scope of God’s plan and the transformative power of faith, even in the face of suffering. Together, these readings remind us that living as children of God means embracing both the light of His truth and the challenges that come with it. Like Simeon, we are called to recognize and proclaim the presence of God in our lives, even when it requires us to confront darkness and difficulty. John’s letter challenges us to live out our faith in love and obedience, ensuring that our words and actions align with the truth of God’s commandments. As we navigate the complexities of daily life, may we remain steadfast in the light of God’s love, allowing it to guide us through every trial and to shine forth in a world still shrouded in darkness.