Daily Readings - Sat Dec 30 2017
1 John
12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.14I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Luke
36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Sermon
The readings today offer us a powerful reflection on living a life rooted in faith and devotion. In the first reading from 1 John, we hear a call to resist the allure of the world and instead choose a life shaped by God’s will. John reminds us that the world’s desires—flesh, eyes, and pride—are fleeting and opposed to the Father’s love. He encourages us to remain strong in the Word of God and to overcome the evil one. This passage challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not entangled in the temporary attractions of this world but are instead fixed on eternal truths.
The Gospel from Luke introduces us to Anna, a prophetess whose life exemplifies this very call. Anna, advanced in age and a widow, dedicates herself to prayer and fasting, never leaving the temple. Her unwavering devotion to God allows her to recognize the redemption of Israel in the infant Jesus. Anna’s story shows us what it means to live a life fully surrendered to God, trusting in His plan even when the world around us seems uncertain. Her example invites us to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with God, one that transcends worldly distractions and remains focused on His will.
Together, these readings remind us that our strength and wisdom come not from the world but from God. Like Anna, we are called to live with purpose and perseverance, trusting that our lives are part of a larger story of redemption. Let us strive to overcome the temptations of the world by grounding ourselves in prayer, fasting, and a deep love for God’s Word. In doing so, we will find the grace to grow in wisdom and to abide in God’s will, even as the world around us fades away.