Daily Readings - Wed Dec 27 2017
1 John
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--2the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us--3that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.4And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
John
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on belief and fellowship. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes the reality of the Word of Life, incarnate in Jesus Christ, and the fellowship we share with God and one another through Him. The Gospel from John recounts the discovery of the empty tomb by Peter and the beloved disciple, highlighting their journey from doubt to belief upon witnessing the signs of the resurrection.
The context of 1 John suggests a community grappling with false teachings, where the author reaffirms the truth of the incarnation and the joy of communion with God. In John's Gospel, the empty tomb narrative serves as a pivotal moment in the disciples' journey, illustrating the transition from confusion to faith. The beloved disciple's belief upon seeing the empty tomb underscores the power of encountering God's presence.
These readings connect through the theme of belief and testimony. Just as the disciples were transformed by their encounter with the empty tomb, we too are called to trust in God's revelation. In our daily lives, we encounter signs of God's presence, and like the disciples, we must respond with faith. The moral lesson here is the importance of trusting in God's revelation and living in fellowship with Him, allowing His presence to transform our lives.