Daily Readings - Tue Jan 03 2023

1 John

Chapter 2

²⁹If you know that he is just, then know, too, that all who do what is just are born of him

¹See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we would be called, and would become, the sons of God. Because of this, the world does not know us, for it did not know him²Most beloved, we are now the sons of God. But what we shall be then has not yet appeared. We know that when he does appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is³And everyone who holds this hope in him, keeps himself holy, just as he also is holy⁴Everyone who commits a sin, also commits iniquity. For sin is iniquity⁵And you know that he appeared in order that he might take away our sins. For in him there is no sin⁶Everyone who abides in him does not sin. For whoever sins has not seen him, and has not known him

John

Chapter 1

²⁹On the next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and so he said: "Behold, the Lamb of God. Behold, he who takes away the sin of the world³⁰This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me arrives a man, who has been placed ahead of me, because he existed before me.³¹And I did not know him. Yet it is for this reason that I come baptizing with water: so that he may be made manifest in Israel.³²And John offered testimony, saying: "For I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove; and he remained upon him³³And I did not know him. But he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: ‘He over whom you will see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.³⁴And I saw, and I gave testimony: that this one is the Son of God.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about our identity as children of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that we are born of God and called to live justly, for sin contradicts the holiness of our heavenly Father. The Gospel from John presents the moment when John the Baptist publicly identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the Holy Spirit descends upon him, confirming his divine identity. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and the transformative power of His love. The context of 1 John is a letter written to early Christians, emphasizing the nature of God as love and the call to live in a way that reflects His holiness. The Gospel scene takes place at the Jordan River, where John baptizes Jesus, an event that reveals Jesus’ mission to save humanity from sin. Both readings highlight the connection between God’s love and our response to it. In 1 John, we are reminded that we are children of God, and this identity calls us to live in a way that mirrors His holiness. In the Gospel, we see the humility of Jesus, who, though sinless, submits to baptism to fulfill God’s plan and reveal His divine nature. These readings challenge us to live with a deep awareness of our identity as God’s children and to embrace the call to holiness. Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. As we go about our daily lives, may we remember that we are called to live justly and love deeply, reflecting the holiness of God. Let us also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who helps us to see Jesus as He truly is and to follow Him with faith and devotion. In doing so, we become living witnesses to the transformative power of God’s love in a world that so desperately needs it.