Daily Readings - Sat Jan 05 2019
1 John
11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12Not 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.13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16Hereby 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.17But 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?18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
John
43The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.44Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.45Philip 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.46And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!48Nathanael 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.49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.50Jesus 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.51And 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 essence of faith and love. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that love is not merely a feeling but a call to action. John contrasts the wickedness of Cain, who allowed jealousy to lead him to murder, with the righteousness of Abel. This serves as a stark reminder that our actions must reflect our faith, and that true love is demonstrated through selfless acts, not just words. The Gospel reading from John introduces us to Philip and Nathanael, whose encounter with Jesus illustrates the journey from doubt to belief. Nathanael's initial skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth is transformed into a profound declaration of faith when Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael's heart. This exchange shows that faith often begins with small steps of trust and can grow into something much deeper.
Both readings emphasize the connection between belief and action. In 1 John, we are urged to love not in words but in truth and action. Similarly, in the Gospel, Nathanael's belief in Jesus leads him to follow Him, demonstrating that faith is not static but dynamic. The readings remind us that our faith must be lived out in tangible ways, whether through acts of love and service or through trusting in God's plan even when it seems unclear.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we living out our faith in ways that reflect God's love? Do we allow doubt to hold us back, or do we take steps of trust, like Nathanael, to deepen our relationship with God? The moral lesson here is clear: love and faith are not abstract concepts but lived experiences. Just as Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree, He sees us in our own struggles and invites us to follow Him. May we respond with hearts open to His love, trusting that He will reveal greater things to us as we walk in faith.