Daily Readings - Wed Jan 03 2024

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound truth of our identity as children of God and the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that we are born of God and called to live a life of holiness. The apostle John emphasizes that sin contradicts our divine adoption, but through hope in Christ, we are called to purity and love. The Gospel from John presents John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John’s humility and clarity in pointing others to Christ serve as a model for us to recognize and proclaim God’s presence in our lives. Both readings are deeply connected, as they highlight the transformative power of God’s love and the call to live as His children. In 1 John, we are reminded of our new identity in Christ, while in the Gospel, we see the One who makes this identity possible. John the Baptist’s words, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” direct us to the heart of the Gospel: Jesus’ mission to save us from sin and restore us to the Father. Together, these readings call us to embrace our dignity as children of God and to live in a way that reflects this truth. In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we are living out our faith. Are we recognizing the sin in our lives and turning to Christ for forgiveness? Are we striving to live with the holiness that befits God’s children? Let us draw hope from the promise that we will one day see God face-to-face and be like Him. Until then, may we imitate John the Baptist by humbly pointing others to Jesus, the Lamb of God, and may we live with integrity, love, and a heart open to the Spirit.