Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 30, 2021
First Reading: 1 John 2.12-17
12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Psalm 96
1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.2Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Gospel: Luke 2.36-40
36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God and the world around us. In the first reading from 1 John, we hear a message of hope and caution. John addresses different members of the community—little children, fathers, young men—and reminds them of their identity in Christ. He emphasizes that our sins are forgiven through the name of Jesus, and he warns us not to love the world or the things of the world. He explains that the world’s desires—flesh, eyes, and pride—are fleeting and not from God. Instead, he encourages us to do the will of God, which endures forever. This passage calls us to examine where our hearts are rooted: in the eternal love of God or in the temporary allurements of the world.
In the Gospel, we encounter Anna, a prophetess who embodies a life of devotion and faithfulness. Anna, a widow who has spent most of her life in prayer and fasting, recognizes the infant Jesus as the redemption of Israel. Her story teaches us about perseverance, dedication, and the importance of staying connected to God through constant prayer. Anna’s life was not one of worldly success or comfort, but it was rich in spirit. She exemplifies how living in accordance with God’s will, even in simplicity and humility, can lead to profound spiritual insights and a deep sense of purpose.
Together, these readings remind us that our true strength and identity come from God. Like Anna, we are called to live lives of prayer, trust, and fidelity, even when the world around us seems uncertain. John’s warning about the fleeting nature of worldly desires encourages us to prioritize what truly lasts: our relationship with God and living according to His will. Let us ask ourselves: Are we rooted in the eternal love of God, or are we chasing the temporary things of this world? May we strive to live like Anna, with hearts fixed on God, and may we find strength in His Word, which abides in us forever.