Daily Readings - Sat Jan 12 2019
1 John
14And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life--to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.17All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.19We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
John
22After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.23John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized24(for John had not yet been put in prison).25Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.26And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him."27John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.'29The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.30He must increase, but I must decrease."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of prayer, sin, and humility. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes confidence in prayer, assuring us that our requests, when aligned with God's will, are heard. It also distinguishes between sins that lead to death and those that do not, offering hope for life through prayer for others. The Gospel from John presents John the Baptist's humble response to Jesus' rising influence, highlighting the importance of decreasing oneself so that Christ may increase.
Contextually, 1 John was written to early Christians facing Gnostic challenges, reinforcing the power of prayer and the nature of sin. John's letter comforts believers, assuring them of God's protection and the eternal life found in His Son. In John 3:22-30, John the Baptist addresses rivalry between his followers and Jesus' disciples, demonstrating humility and trust in God's plan.
Both readings intertwine through themes of humility and trust. John's humility mirrors the confidence in prayer from 1 John, showing that true service to God involves selflessness. Applying this to daily life, we are called to humble service and trust in God's will through prayer. The moral lesson is clear: embrace humility and trust in God, avoiding jealousy, and recognizing our role in His greater plan.