Daily Readings - Mon Jan 02 2023
1 John
22Who is a liar, other than he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son23No one who denies the Son also has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son, also has the Father24As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you, too, shall abide in the Son and in the Father25And this is the Promise, which he himself has promised to us: Eternal Life26I have written these things to you, because of those who would seduce you27But as for you, let the Anointing that you have received from him abide in you. And so, you have no need of anyone to teach you. For his Anointing teaches you about everything, and it is the truth, and it is not a lie. And just as his Anointing has taught you, abide in him28And now, little sons, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have faith, and we may not be confounded by him at his advent
John
19And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to him, so that they might ask him, "Who are you?20And he confessed it and did not deny it; and what he confessed was: "I am not the Christ.21And they questioned him: "Then what are you? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No.22Therefore, they said to him: "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?23He said, "I am a voice crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as the prophet Isaiah said.24And some of those who had been sent were from among the Pharisees25And they questioned him and said to him, "Then why do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?26John answered them by saying: "I baptize with water. But in your midst stands one, whom you do not know27The same is he who is to come after me, who has been placed ahead of me, the laces of whose shoes I am not worthy to loosen.28These things happened in Bethania, across the Jordan, where John was baptizing
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the cornerstone of our faith and the humility required to follow Christ. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes the necessity of confessing Jesus as the Christ, warning against false teachers who deny His divinity. It encourages believers to remain steadfast, relying on the divine anointing that teaches and guides us. The Gospel presents John the Baptist, who humbly clarifies his role, not as the Messiah, but as a voice preparing the way for the Lord. He baptizes with water, yet acknowledges the greater one who is to come, illustrating true humility and devotion.
These readings were written in contexts where communities faced challenges. 1 John addressed a community grappling with false teachings, urging them to hold fast to their faith. John's Gospel introduces John the Baptist, setting the stage for Jesus's ministry by highlighting John's role as a preparer, not the one to be glorified. Both readings underscore the importance of correct belief and humility, reminding us that our faith must be rooted in truth, and our service must be selfless.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to remain faithful to Christ's teachings, cautious of false influences, and to serve with humility. Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Christ, not seeking glory for ourselves. The moral lesson is clear: steadfast faith and humility are essential. May we embrace our role in God's plan with humility, ever pointing others to the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.