Daily Readings - Fri Dec 27 2024
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 profound mystery of God’s revelation and the transformative power of faith. In the First Reading from 1 John, we hear a beautiful proclamation of the Word of Life, Jesus Christ, who has been seen, heard, and touched by the apostles. John emphasizes that this Life is not distant or abstract but has been made manifest in the flesh. The purpose of this testimony is to invite us into fellowship—with God and with one another—so that our joy may be complete. This passage reminds us that our faith is rooted in the tangible, historical reality of Jesus, the Eternal Life who came among us.
In the Gospel, we witness the dramatic discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple. The scene unfolds with a sense of urgency and confusion, as Mary initially believes the body has been taken. However, when the disciples arrive, they find the tomb empty, with the linens carefully folded. For the Beloved Disciple, this sight is enough to prompt faith—he sees and believes. This passage highlights the interplay between doubt and faith, as well as the significance of the resurrection as the cornerstone of our Christian hope. The empty tomb is not just a historical event but a living symbol of God’s power to overcome death and darkness.
Together, these readings remind us that faith is not blind but rooted in the testimony of those who encountered Christ. Like the Beloved Disciple, we are called to “see and believe,” even when the circumstances of life seem uncertain. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a past event but a present reality that transforms us. In our daily lives, we are invited to live with the same joy and fellowship that John describes. Let us approach the challenges and mysteries of life with the courage of Peter and the faith of the Beloved Disciple, trusting that the Risen Lord is always with us, filling our hearts with joy and our lives with purpose.