Daily Readings - Thu Jan 05 2023

1 John

11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

John

43The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.44Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.46And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Sermon

The first reading from 1 John reminds us of the fundamental commandment of love. John emphasizes that love is not merely a feeling or words, but it must be expressed in actions. He warns against hatred and selfishness, which lead to death, and encourages us to lay down our lives for one another. This love is not abstract; it is concrete, like sharing our resources with those in need. John also reassures us that if our hearts do not condemn us, we can have confidence in God’s presence in our lives. The Gospel reading from John tells the story of Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael. Philip, after being called by Jesus, immediately shares the news with Nathanael, who is skeptical at first but eventually comes to faith. Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael, and Nathanael confesses Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus then promises that Nathanael will see even greater things, emphasizing the unfolding revelation of God’s plan. This passage highlights the importance of invitation, openness to God’s call, and the deeper understanding that comes from following Jesus. Both readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith. John’s letter challenges us to love not just in words but in deeds, while the Gospel shows us the transformative power of encountering Christ. Like Nathanael, we are called to move beyond our doubts and preconceptions to follow Jesus with openness and trust. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living out the love of God in tangible ways? Are we open to the ways God is revealing himself to us? May we, like Nathanael, come to see Jesus more clearly and follow him with greater fidelity, trusting that he has even greater things in store for us.