Daily Readings - Thu Jan 06 2022
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 encounter profound messages about love, faith, and service. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that genuine love for God is inseparable from love for our neighbors. John emphasizes that loving God, whom we cannot see, is only possible if we love those around us, whom we can see. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments. The reading also highlights the power of faith, noting that it overcomes the challenges of the world.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus in Nazareth, where He announces the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus' mission is clear: to bring hope to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and liberate those oppressed. This passage sets the tone for Jesus' ministry, emphasizing compassion and service to those on the margins. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on love and service as expressions of faith. John's epistle calls us to love actively, while Luke's Gospel shows Jesus embodying this love through His mission.
As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to examine how we live out our faith. Are we merely spectators, or are we actively engaged in serving others? Let us ask ourselves: How can we, like Jesus, bring light and hope to those around us? Perhaps it's through a kind word, a listening ear, or advocating for justice. May we remember that our faith is not just about belief but about putting love into action. As we go about our daily lives, may we embody the love of God, just as Jesus did, and may our actions reflect the transformative power of His mission.