Daily Readings - Sat Dec 28 2024
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
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about God’s nature and our response to His divine plan. The First Reading from 1 John reminds us that God is light, and to walk in this light, we must acknowledge our sins and seek forgiveness. John emphasizes that Jesus, our advocate, atones for our sins, offering us redemption and fellowship with God. This letter, written to early Christians, addresses the reality of sin and the necessity of confession, countering Gnostic influences that denied the flesh.
The Gospel from Matthew narrates the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, escaping Herod’s persecution. This passage fulfills prophecy and highlights the tragedy of innocent suffering. The massacre of the innocents underscores the world’s darkness but also reveals God’s plan to save humanity through Jesus. This story is part of Matthew’s infancy narrative, illustrating the divine mission of Jesus and the protection of His family, symbolizing the Church’s journey through trials.
These readings connect through themes of light versus darkness and the reality of sin. The First Reading sets a spiritual context, while the Gospel illustrates this struggle in Jesus’ early life. The flight to Egypt symbolizes trust in divine providence, urging us to acknowledge our sins and seek forgiveness. Just as Joseph trusted God, we should trust in His plan, even in adversity. The readings remind us to live in the light, confess our sins, and have faith in God’s protection. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God, seek forgiveness, and walk in His light, finding strength in His providence amidst life’s challenges.