Daily Readings - Mon Jan 04 2021
1 John
22and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.24Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.4Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.5They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.6We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Matthew
12Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.13And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,14so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:15"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."17From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."23And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.25And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between faith, love, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that God’s commandments are not burdensome but are rooted in love and belief in Jesus Christ. John urges us to test the spirits, to discern whether they are from God or not, by their confession of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh. This passage calls us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that the Spirit of God within us is greater than any false spirit in the world.
The Gospel reading from Matthew illustrates Jesus’ ministry of light and healing in a world shrouded in darkness. After withdrawing to Galilee, Jesus begins to preach repentance and heals the sick, demonstrating the power of God’s kingdom. His ministry attracts people from all walks of life, showing that God’s love and mercy extend to all. This passage invites us to reflect on how we, like Jesus, can bring light and hope into the lives of others through our actions and words.
Both readings challenge us to live out our faith authentically. John’s letter reminds us to love one another and remain faithful to God’s commandments, while Matthew’s Gospel shows us how Jesus’ ministry transformed lives through love and compassion. In our daily lives, we are called to be instruments of God’s love, discerning His presence in the world and sharing His light with those around us. Let us trust in the Spirit of truth, who guides us and empowers us to live as children of God, bringing healing and hope to a world in need.