Daily Readings - Tue Jan 02 2018
1 John
22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.23No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life.26I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.27But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
John
19And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"20He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."21And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not.Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."22So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"23He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."24(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.)25They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"26John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,27even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."28These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the essence of our faith and the humility required to follow Christ. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and the necessity of remaining faithful amidst false teachings. It highlights the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding us and the promise of eternal life through our relationship with the Father and the Son. The Gospel reading presents John the Baptist, who, when questioned by religious leaders, humbly clarifies his role not as the Messiah but as a precursor, preparing the way for Jesus. His response underscores his humility and clarity in pointing others to Christ.
These readings are interconnected through their focus on the identity of Jesus as the Christ and the call to remain faithful. John the Baptist’s humility and John’s epistle both serve as reminders to stay grounded in our faith, recognizing our role in pointing others to Jesus. The epistle warns against false teachings, encouraging us to abide in the truth, while John the Baptist’s testimony exemplifies humility and purpose in serving God’s plan.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to remain faithful, humble, and open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Just as John the Baptist knew his role, we too should recognize ours in God’s plan. The moral lesson here is the importance of fidelity to the truth and humility, trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide us. May we stay grounded in our faith, humbly serve, and point others to Christ, just as John the Baptist did.