Daily Readings - Tue Dec 27 2022
1 John
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--2the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us--3that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.4And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
John
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, fellowship, and the tangible presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from 1 John, the Apostle testifies to the reality of the Word of Life, whom he has seen, heard, and touched. John emphasizes that this Life, who is Jesus Christ, has been made manifest to us. He writes so that we might share in the joy of fellowship with God and with one another. This passage reminds us that our faith is not based on abstract ideas but on the concrete, historical revelation of God in Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel, we witness the dramatic scene of the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene alerts Peter and the beloved disciple, who rush to the tomb. The beloved disciple arrives first, sees the linens, and believes. This moment marks a turning point in the disciples' understanding of Jesus' resurrection. The empty tomb is not just a historical event but a sign that speaks to us today. It reminds us that faith often begins with seeing and experiencing, but it deepens as we reflect on the signs God has given us.
These readings encourage us to seek a deeper fellowship with God and with one another, just as John desired for his readers. Like the beloved disciple, we are called to approach the "tomb" of our own doubts and fears, to see the evidence of God's love, and to believe. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open to the ways God reveals Himself to us—through Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments. Let us allow the joy of this fellowship to overflow into our lives, transforming us and drawing others into the love of Christ.