Daily Readings - Sat Dec 28 2024
1 John
5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Matthew
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."14And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."16Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:18"A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about God’s nature and our response to His divine plan. The First Reading from 1 John reminds us that God is light, and to walk in this light, we must acknowledge our sins and seek forgiveness. John emphasizes that Jesus, our advocate, atones for our sins, offering us redemption and fellowship with God. This letter, written to early Christians, addresses the reality of sin and the necessity of confession, countering Gnostic influences that denied the flesh.
The Gospel from Matthew narrates the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, escaping Herod’s persecution. This passage fulfills prophecy and highlights the tragedy of innocent suffering. The massacre of the innocents underscores the world’s darkness but also reveals God’s plan to save humanity through Jesus. This story is part of Matthew’s infancy narrative, illustrating the divine mission of Jesus and the protection of His family, symbolizing the Church’s journey through trials.
These readings connect through themes of light versus darkness and the reality of sin. The First Reading sets a spiritual context, while the Gospel illustrates this struggle in Jesus’ early life. The flight to Egypt symbolizes trust in divine providence, urging us to acknowledge our sins and seek forgiveness. Just as Joseph trusted God, we should trust in His plan, even in adversity. The readings remind us to live in the light, confess our sins, and have faith in God’s protection. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God, seek forgiveness, and walk in His light, finding strength in His providence amidst life’s challenges.