Daily Readings - Thu Jan 05 2023
1 John
11For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.13Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.17But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.19By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;20for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
John
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."46Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"48Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."49Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"50Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."51And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Sermon
The first reading from 1 John reminds us of the fundamental commandment of love. John emphasizes that love is not merely a feeling or words, but it must be expressed in actions. He warns against hatred and selfishness, which lead to death, and encourages us to lay down our lives for one another. This love is not abstract; it is concrete, like sharing our resources with those in need. John also reassures us that if our hearts do not condemn us, we can have confidence in God’s presence in our lives.
The Gospel reading from John tells the story of Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael. Philip, after being called by Jesus, immediately shares the news with Nathanael, who is skeptical at first but eventually comes to faith. Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael, and Nathanael confesses Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus then promises that Nathanael will see even greater things, emphasizing the unfolding revelation of God’s plan. This passage highlights the importance of invitation, openness to God’s call, and the deeper understanding that comes from following Jesus.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith. John’s letter challenges us to love not just in words but in deeds, while the Gospel shows us the transformative power of encountering Christ. Like Nathanael, we are called to move beyond our doubts and preconceptions to follow Jesus with openness and trust. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living out the love of God in tangible ways? Are we open to the ways God is revealing himself to us? May we, like Nathanael, come to see Jesus more clearly and follow him with greater fidelity, trusting that he has even greater things in store for us.