Daily Readings - Thu Dec 30 2021
1 John
12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.14I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Luke
36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God and the world around us. In the first reading from 1 John, we hear a message of hope and caution. John addresses different members of the community—little children, fathers, young men—and reminds them of their identity in Christ. He emphasizes that our sins are forgiven through the name of Jesus, and he warns us not to love the world or the things of the world. He explains that the world’s desires—flesh, eyes, and pride—are fleeting and not from God. Instead, he encourages us to do the will of God, which endures forever. This passage calls us to examine where our hearts are rooted: in the eternal love of God or in the temporary allurements of the world.
In the Gospel, we encounter Anna, a prophetess who embodies a life of devotion and faithfulness. Anna, a widow who has spent most of her life in prayer and fasting, recognizes the infant Jesus as the redemption of Israel. Her story teaches us about perseverance, dedication, and the importance of staying connected to God through constant prayer. Anna’s life was not one of worldly success or comfort, but it was rich in spirit. She exemplifies how living in accordance with God’s will, even in simplicity and humility, can lead to profound spiritual insights and a deep sense of purpose.
Together, these readings remind us that our true strength and identity come from God. Like Anna, we are called to live lives of prayer, trust, and fidelity, even when the world around us seems uncertain. John’s warning about the fleeting nature of worldly desires encourages us to prioritize what truly lasts: our relationship with God and living according to His will. Let us ask ourselves: Are we rooted in the eternal love of God, or are we chasing the temporary things of this world? May we strive to live like Anna, with hearts fixed on God, and may we find strength in His Word, which abides in us forever.