Daily Readings - Thu Jan 02 2020
1 John
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
John
19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
In today's readings, we delve into the essence of faith and humility through the words of 1 John and the testimony of John the Baptist. The first reading from 1 John 2:22-28 emphasizes the crucial belief in Jesus as the Christ, warning against those who deny Him and thus deny the Father. It reassures us of the promise of eternal life and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, urging us to remain steadfast in our faith. The Gospel reading, John 1:19-28, presents John the Baptist, who humbly clarifies his role not as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but as a voice preparing the way for the Lord. He baptizes with water, yet acknowledges the greater one coming after him, embodying humility and redirection of focus to Jesus.
Both readings highlight the centrality of Jesus Christ. 1 John underscores the necessity of orthodox belief, countering early heresies by affirming Jesus's divine and human nature. John's Gospel situates John the Baptist as a precursor, introducing Jesus to the world. Together, they illustrate the importance of recognizing and testifying to Jesus's identity, reinforcing the need for unwavering faith and humility.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to remain steadfast in our belief, trusting in the Holy Spirit's guidance. Like John the Baptist, we should humbly point others to Christ, avoiding self-aggrandizement. The moral lesson is clear: Jesus is the center of our faith, and our role is to reflect His light, stepping aside so others may encounter Him. Let us embrace this humility and steadfastness, ensuring our lives testify to the transformative power of knowing Jesus Christ.