Daily Readings - Mon Jan 02 2023
1 John
22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.23No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life.26I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.27But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
John
19And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"20He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."21And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not.Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."22So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"23He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."24(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.)25They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"26John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,27even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."28These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the cornerstone of our faith and the humility required to follow Christ. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes the necessity of confessing Jesus as the Christ, warning against false teachers who deny His divinity. It encourages believers to remain steadfast, relying on the divine anointing that teaches and guides us. The Gospel presents John the Baptist, who humbly clarifies his role, not as the Messiah, but as a voice preparing the way for the Lord. He baptizes with water, yet acknowledges the greater one who is to come, illustrating true humility and devotion.
These readings were written in contexts where communities faced challenges. 1 John addressed a community grappling with false teachings, urging them to hold fast to their faith. John's Gospel introduces John the Baptist, setting the stage for Jesus's ministry by highlighting John's role as a preparer, not the one to be glorified. Both readings underscore the importance of correct belief and humility, reminding us that our faith must be rooted in truth, and our service must be selfless.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to remain faithful to Christ's teachings, cautious of false influences, and to serve with humility. Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Christ, not seeking glory for ourselves. The moral lesson is clear: steadfast faith and humility are essential. May we embrace our role in God's plan with humility, ever pointing others to the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.