Daily Readings - Fri Jan 05 2018
First Reading - 1 John 3.11-21
1 John
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Gospel - John 1.43-51
John
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of love, faith, and discipleship. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that love is not merely a feeling or a word but a commitment to action. John contrasts the wickedness of Cain, who allowed jealousy to lead him to murder, with the selfless love of God, who laid down his life for us. This love, John insists, must be expressed in concrete ways: sharing our resources with those in need and living out our faith in truth and action. The second reading from John’s Gospel shifts our focus to the call of Philip and Nathanael. Nathanael’s initial skepticism about Jesus gives way to faith when Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael’s heart. This encounter teaches us that true faith is rooted in trust and openness to God’s revelation, even when it challenges our preconceptions.
Both readings emphasize the connection between belief and action. In the Gospel, Nathanael’s faith grows as he encounters Jesus, and he comes to recognize him as the Son of God. Similarly, in the first reading, John calls us to move beyond mere words of love to a life of self-giving service. The two readings together remind us that our faith must be lived out in tangible ways, just as our love for God and neighbor must be demonstrated through our actions. Jesus’ promise to Nathanael that he will see “greater things” than the sign he witnessed suggests that our faith will deepen as we follow him and live out his teachings.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in my daily life? Am I willing to love not just in words but in deeds? Am I open to the ways God might be revealing himself to me, even in unexpected ways? May we, like Nathanael, respond to God’s call with trust and humility, and may we, like John urges, love one another in truth and action. In doing so, we will not only grow in our relationship with God but also bear witness to his love in a world that so desperately needs it.