Daily Readings - Thu Jan 02 2020
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 delve into the essence of faith and humility through the words of 1 John and the testimony of John the Baptist. The first reading from 1 John 2:22-28 emphasizes the crucial belief in Jesus as the Christ, warning against those who deny Him and thus deny the Father. It reassures us of the promise of eternal life and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, urging us to remain steadfast in our faith. The Gospel reading, John 1:19-28, presents John the Baptist, who humbly clarifies his role not as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but as a voice preparing the way for the Lord. He baptizes with water, yet acknowledges the greater one coming after him, embodying humility and redirection of focus to Jesus.
Both readings highlight the centrality of Jesus Christ. 1 John underscores the necessity of orthodox belief, countering early heresies by affirming Jesus's divine and human nature. John's Gospel situates John the Baptist as a precursor, introducing Jesus to the world. Together, they illustrate the importance of recognizing and testifying to Jesus's identity, reinforcing the need for unwavering faith and humility.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to remain steadfast in our belief, trusting in the Holy Spirit's guidance. Like John the Baptist, we should humbly point others to Christ, avoiding self-aggrandizement. The moral lesson is clear: Jesus is the center of our faith, and our role is to reflect His light, stepping aside so others may encounter Him. Let us embrace this humility and steadfastness, ensuring our lives testify to the transformative power of knowing Jesus Christ.