Daily Readings - Mon Dec 30 2024

¹²I am writing to you, little sons, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of his name¹³I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, adolescents, because you have overcome the evil one¹⁴I am writing to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one¹⁵Do not choose to love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the charity of the Father is not in him¹⁶For all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the arrogance of a life which is not of the Father, but is of the world¹⁷And the world is passing away, with its desire. But whoever does the will of God abides unto eternity

Luke

Chapter 2

³⁶And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity³⁷And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day³⁸And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel³⁹And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth⁴⁰Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live a life rooted in God’s love and truth, while navigating the challenges of the world around us. In the first reading from 1 John, the apostle addresses believers as “little children,” “young men,” and “fathers,” emphasizing the universal call to live in accordance with God’s will. He warns against loving the world and its desires, which are fleeting and opposed to the eternal life offered by God. Instead, he encourages believers to remain strong in their faith, abiding in God’s Word, and overcoming the evil that seeks to pull them away from Him. The Gospel from Luke presents us with the figure of Anna, a prophetess who embodies a life of devotion and perseverance. As a widow, Anna dedicates herself to prayer and fasting, never leaving the temple. Her encounter with the infant Jesus is a moment of profound joy and fulfillment, as she recognizes Him as the long-awaited redemption of Israel. Anna’s life serves as a model of faithfulness and hope, showing us how to remain steadfast in our commitment to God even in the face of challenges and uncertainties. Meanwhile, the passage also highlights the growth of the young Jesus, who is filled with wisdom and grace, reminding us that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. Together, these readings call us to evaluate our priorities and allegiances in life. Like Anna, we are invited to cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer and service, trusting in His plan even when the world around us seems chaotic. The warning in 1 John against loving the world reminds us to guard our hearts against the temptations of materialism and selfishness, instead choosing to live in a way that reflects God’s will. As we go about our daily lives, may we strive to remain rooted in faith, hope, and love, knowing that true fulfillment comes not from the world but from abiding in God.