Daily Readings - Sat Jan 06 2024
1 John
5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Mark
4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.5And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.7And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.8I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.9And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.10And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:11And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, the testimony of God, and the transformative power of baptism. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the foundation of our faith. John emphasizes that Jesus came not just with water, symbolizing purification, but also with blood, signifying His sacrifice for humanity. The testimony of the Spirit, water, and blood all point to the truth of God’s love and the gift of eternal life through His Son. John also warns that to reject this testimony is to reject God Himself, for faith in Jesus is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, abiding trust that shapes our very lives.
In the Gospel, Mark describes the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This event is a pivotal moment in the life of Christ, as it marks the beginning of His public ministry. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice from heaven declaring Jesus as the beloved Son affirm His divine identity. This passage reminds us that baptism is more than a ritual; it is a sacrament that unites us to Christ and fills us with the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus was anointed for His mission, we too are called to live out our baptismal identity, bearing witness to God’s love in the world.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and how we live it out. Do we truly believe in the power of Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of eternal life? Are we living as children of God, reflecting His love and truth in our daily lives? Let us draw strength from the testimony of God and the grace of baptism, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey of faith. May we, like Jesus, be faithful witnesses to the Gospel, bringing light and hope to a world in need.