Daily Readings - Tue Dec 31 2024
1 John
18Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.21I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
John
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2He was in the beginning with God.3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.4In him was life, and the life was the light of men.5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.8He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.11He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.15(John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")16And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.18No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of truth, light, and divine sonship. The first reading from 1 John 2:18-21 warns of the last hour and the emergence of antichrists, emphasizing that these individuals were never truly part of the community. It reassures believers of their knowledge of truth through the Holy Spirit. The Gospel from John 1:1-18 presents Jesus as the eternal Word, creator, and light in darkness, who becomes flesh to dwell among us, offering sonship to those who believe.
Contextually, 1 John addresses early Christians facing false teachings, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith. John's Gospel, in its prologue, establishes Jesus' divinity and role in creation, introducing John the Baptist as a witness to the true light. Both readings intertwine, contrasting false prophets with the eternal truth and light of Christ.
In application, these readings call us to discern truth amidst falsehood, remain faithful, and embrace our identity as children of God through belief in Jesus. The moral lesson is to trust in God's truth and light, living as His children, guided by the Holy Spirit. May we reflect on our commitment to truth and our relationship with the divine light that illuminates our path.