Daily Readings - Thu Jan 06 2022
1 John
1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Luke
14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.22And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages about love, faith, and service. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that genuine love for God is inseparable from love for our neighbors. John emphasizes that loving God, whom we cannot see, is only possible if we love those around us, whom we can see. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments. The reading also highlights the power of faith, noting that it overcomes the challenges of the world.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus in Nazareth, where He announces the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus' mission is clear: to bring hope to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and liberate those oppressed. This passage sets the tone for Jesus' ministry, emphasizing compassion and service to those on the margins. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on love and service as expressions of faith. John's epistle calls us to love actively, while Luke's Gospel shows Jesus embodying this love through His mission.
As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to examine how we live out our faith. Are we merely spectators, or are we actively engaged in serving others? Let us ask ourselves: How can we, like Jesus, bring light and hope to those around us? Perhaps it's through a kind word, a listening ear, or advocating for justice. May we remember that our faith is not just about belief but about putting love into action. As we go about our daily lives, may we embody the love of God, just as Jesus did, and may our actions reflect the transformative power of His mission.