Daily Readings - Mon Jan 04 2021
1 John
22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Matthew
12Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between faith, love, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that God’s commandments are not burdensome but are rooted in love and belief in Jesus Christ. John urges us to test the spirits, to discern whether they are from God or not, by their confession of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh. This passage calls us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that the Spirit of God within us is greater than any false spirit in the world.
The Gospel reading from Matthew illustrates Jesus’ ministry of light and healing in a world shrouded in darkness. After withdrawing to Galilee, Jesus begins to preach repentance and heals the sick, demonstrating the power of God’s kingdom. His ministry attracts people from all walks of life, showing that God’s love and mercy extend to all. This passage invites us to reflect on how we, like Jesus, can bring light and hope into the lives of others through our actions and words.
Both readings challenge us to live out our faith authentically. John’s letter reminds us to love one another and remain faithful to God’s commandments, while Matthew’s Gospel shows us how Jesus’ ministry transformed lives through love and compassion. In our daily lives, we are called to be instruments of God’s love, discerning His presence in the world and sharing His light with those around us. Let us trust in the Spirit of truth, who guides us and empowers us to live as children of God, bringing healing and hope to a world in need.