Daily Readings - Sat Jan 08 2022
1 John
14And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life--to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.17All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.19We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
John
22After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.23John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized24(for John had not yet been put in prison).25Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.26And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him."27John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.'29The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.30He must increase, but I must decrease."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the nature of prayer, humility, and our relationship with God. The first reading from 1 John reminds us of the confidence we have in prayer when we ask according to God’s will. John emphasizes that God hears us and grants our requests when they align with His purpose. He also warns us about sin, distinguishing between sins that lead to death and those that do not, while reassuring us that the evil one cannot touch those reborn in God. The reading concludes with a call to remain faithful and avoid false worship.
The Gospel from John 3 shifts our focus to John the Baptist, who humbly acknowledges his role as a precursor to Jesus. When questioned about Jesus baptizing more people, John explains that his joy is fulfilled in seeing Jesus increase while he himself decreases. He reminds us that Jesus is the bridegroom, and we are merely friends of the bridegroom, rejoicing at His voice. John’s humility and willingness to step aside for Christ serve as a powerful example for us.
These readings remind us that our prayers must be rooted in humility and alignment with God’s will, not our own desires. Like John the Baptist, we are called to decrease so that Christ may increase in our lives. In a world often driven by self-promotion and competition, John’s example challenges us to embrace humility and trust in God’s plan. Let us strive to live in such a way that our lives reflect the truth of the Gospel, and may we always remember that our ultimate joy is found in knowing and remaining in the true Son of God, Jesus Christ.