Daily Readings - Tue Dec 27 2022
1 John
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;2For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
John
2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, fellowship, and the tangible presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from 1 John, the Apostle testifies to the reality of the Word of Life, whom he has seen, heard, and touched. John emphasizes that this Life, who is Jesus Christ, has been made manifest to us. He writes so that we might share in the joy of fellowship with God and with one another. This passage reminds us that our faith is not based on abstract ideas but on the concrete, historical revelation of God in Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel, we witness the dramatic scene of the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene alerts Peter and the beloved disciple, who rush to the tomb. The beloved disciple arrives first, sees the linens, and believes. This moment marks a turning point in the disciples' understanding of Jesus' resurrection. The empty tomb is not just a historical event but a sign that speaks to us today. It reminds us that faith often begins with seeing and experiencing, but it deepens as we reflect on the signs God has given us.
These readings encourage us to seek a deeper fellowship with God and with one another, just as John desired for his readers. Like the beloved disciple, we are called to approach the "tomb" of our own doubts and fears, to see the evidence of God's love, and to believe. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open to the ways God reveals Himself to us—through Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments. Let us allow the joy of this fellowship to overflow into our lives, transforming us and drawing others into the love of Christ.