Daily Readings - Thu Jan 09 2020
1 John
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.4For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
Luke
14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.17And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."20And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.21And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."22And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the essence of love and mission. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that true love for God is inseparable from love for our neighbors. John emphasizes that loving God without loving others is hypocritical, urging us to keep God's commandments as an expression of our love. This love, rooted in faith, empowers us to overcome the world's challenges.
The Gospel from Luke depicts Jesus' mission statement, where He proclaims His role as the Messiah, bringing hope and liberation to the marginalized. This moment in the synagogue at Nazareth is pivotal, as Jesus aligns His mission with Isaiah's prophecy, highlighting His commitment to the poor, the brokenhearted, and the oppressed. The crowd's mixed reaction invites us to reflect on how we respond to God's call in our lives.
Together, these readings connect love and mission, showing that loving God leads to serving others. Our faith is not passive but active, demonstrated through acts of love and justice. In daily life, this means putting our faith into action, whether through kindness, charity, or advocating for justice. The moral lesson is clear: true love for God is evident in our actions towards others, fulfilling His mission in the world.