Daily Readings - Fri Jan 11 2019
1 John
5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Luke
12And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.14And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.15But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.16And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between faith, testimony, and the transformative power of God’s love. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that true victory over the world comes through belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John highlights the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who together testify to the truth of God’s love. He also reminds us that eternal life is found in the Son, and those who believe in him already possess this life. The reading encourages us to trust in God’s testimony, which is greater than any human word, and to live with confidence in our faith.
The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid example of this faith in action. A man afflicted with leprosy approaches Jesus with humility and trust, acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal. Jesus, moved by compassion, touches the man and restores him to full health. This miracle is not just a physical healing but also a spiritual one, as it reveals Jesus’ divine authority and the power of faith. Jesus then instructs the man to present himself to the priest, not only to fulfill the legal requirements of his time but also as a public testimony to God’s work in his life. Despite Jesus’ request for silence, the man’s healing becomes known, drawing even more people to Jesus.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and how we live it out. Like the leper, we are called to approach God with humility and trust, acknowledging our need for healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. When we experience God’s grace, we are compelled to share this gift with others, not through words alone but through the way we live. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in their testimony, our words and actions must also be united in bearing witness to God’s love. Let us, therefore, embrace the truth that eternal life is ours in Christ and live each day as a testament to the transformative power of faith.