Daily Readings - Mon Jan 06 2025
1 John
22and whatever we shall request of him, we shall receive from him. For we keep his commandments, and we do the things that are pleasing in his sight23And this is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has commanded us24And those who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And we know that he abides in us by this: by the Spirit, whom he has given to us
1Most beloved, do not be willing to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world2The Spirit of God may be known in this way. Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has arrived in the flesh is of God3and every spirit who contradicts Jesus is not of God. And this one is the Antichrist, the one that you have heard is coming, and even now he is in the world4Little sons, you are of God, and so you have overcome him. For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world5They are of the world. Therefore, they speak about the world, and the world listens to them6We are of God. Whoever knows God, listens to us. Whoever is not of God, does not listen to us. In this way, we know the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error
Matthew
12And when Jesus had heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee13And leaving behind the city of Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, near the sea, at the borders of Zebulun and of Naphtali14in order to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles16A people who were sitting in darkness have seen a great light. And unto those sitting in the region of the shadow of death, a light has risen.17From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say: "Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.23And Jesus traveled throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every infirmity among the people24And reports of him went out to all of Syria, and they brought to him all those who had maladies, those who were in the grasp of various sicknesses and torments, and those who were in the hold of demons, and the mentally ill, and paralytics. And he cured them25And a great crowd followed him from Galilee, and from the Ten Cities, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from across the Jordan
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound interplay between faith, love, and the triumph of light over darkness. The First Letter of John emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's commandments, particularly the commandment to love one another. John warns us to discern the spirits, recognizing that not every influence is of God. He assures us that we, as children of God, have overcome the forces of darkness because the Spirit of God dwells within us. This letter invites us to live in truth and love, trusting in God's presence and guidance.
The Gospel of Matthew illustrates this message through the actions of Jesus. After withdrawing to Galilee, Jesus begins his ministry, fulfilling the prophecy that light would shine in the darkness. His preaching, healing, and compassionate care for the sick and afflicted demonstrate the kingdom of God breaking into the world. Jesus' ministry is a testament to the power of light overcoming darkness, bringing hope and salvation to all who seek Him.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to embody the light of Christ in our daily lives. Just as Jesus brought light to those in darkness, we are to be beacons of hope and love in a world often shrouded in shadows. Let us trust in the Spirit within us, discerning truth from falsehood, and living with the confidence that God's light will guide us. May we, like Jesus, bring healing and hope to those around us, remembering that we are children of light, called to reflect God's love and truth in all we do.