Daily Readings - Tue Dec 28 2021
1 John
5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Matthew
13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay of light and darkness, sin and redemption, and the trust we must place in God’s providence. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that God is light, and to walk in His light means living truthfully and humbly, acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness. John reassures us that Jesus Christ, the Just One, is our Advocate, who not only forgives our sins but also offers His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. This passage calls us to honesty about our failings and trust in God’s mercy.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a dramatic contrast between the light of Christ and the darkness of human sin. Herod’s ruthless attempt to destroy the infant Jesus symbolizes the world’s resistance to the light of God. Yet, in the midst of danger, Joseph trusts in God’s guidance, obeying the angel’s command to flee to Egypt. This passage reminds us that even in uncertain and perilous times, God’s plan unfolds, and His promises are fulfilled. The Holy Family’s journey into exile and their eventual return from Egypt echo the prophet’s words, “Out of Egypt, I called my son,” a foreshadowing of Jesus’ mission to redeem all humanity.
In our own lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable, like the darkness Herod represents. But today’s readings encourage us to walk in the light of truth, to acknowledge our sins, and to trust in God’s providence. Like Joseph, we are called to listen to God’s voice, even in the stillness of the night, and to act with faith. Let us remember that Jesus, our Advocate, is always with us, offering forgiveness and strength. May we, like the Holy Family, trust in God’s plan and find refuge in His light, even when the world around us seems filled with darkness.