Daily Readings - Fri Jan 03 2025
1 John
29If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.4Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.5You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.6No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
John
29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!30This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'31I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."32And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.33I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'34And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on our identity as children of God and the profound love He has shown us in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to take away the sin of the world. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that we are called to live as sons and daughters of God, a truth that should transform how we see ourselves and how we live. John emphasizes that our hope in Christ should lead us to holiness, for sin contradicts the very nature of God, and those who abide in Him do not sin. This passage challenges us to examine our lives and strive for purity of heart as we await the full revelation of what we shall be when Christ appears.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This title, "Lamb of God," is rich in meaning, recalling the sacrifices of the Old Testament and foreshadowing Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. John's testimony also highlights the Holy Spirit's role in revealing Jesus' true identity as the Son of God. This passage reminds us that our encounter with Christ is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and it calls us to bear witness to Jesus in our own lives, just as John did.
These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize the transformative power of God's love and the call to holiness. As children of God, we are called to live in a way that reflects our divine adoption, avoiding sin and striving to be like Christ. In our daily lives, this means living with integrity, loving one another, and being mindful of the presence of the Holy Spirit who guides us. Let us ask ourselves: Do we truly live as children of God? Do we allow the Spirit to transform us and empower us to witness to the love of Christ in the world? May we embrace our identity as sons and daughters of God and live in a way that reflects the hope and holiness He has given us.