Daily Readings - Tue Dec 31 2019
1 John
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
John
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2The same was in the beginning with God.3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we delve into themes of truth, light, and the divine nature of Jesus Christ. The First Reading from 1 John 2:18-21 addresses the community amid the challenges of the end times, warning of the arrival of antichrists and reassuring the faithful of their secure position in the truth. The Gospel, John 1:1-18, presents the eternal Word, Jesus, who is both the source of creation and the incarnation of God's glory. This prologue contrasts the light of Jesus with the darkness of the world, emphasizing His role as the true Light that illuminates all humanity.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both emphasize the importance of recognizing and clinging to the truth. 1 John highlights the departure of false believers, underscoring the stability of God's truth for the faithful. John's Gospel establishes Jesus as the embodiment of this truth, the Word who brings life and light. Together, they remind us that in a world filled with darkness and falsehood, Jesus is the source of true light and understanding.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are called to discern truth from falsehood and remain steadfast in our faith. As children of God, we are transformed by our belief in Jesus, who offers us grace and truth. The moral lesson here is the enduring nature of God's truth and the transformative power of faith in Jesus. Let us embrace this truth, allowing it to guide us in our journey, and reflect the light of Christ in our world.