Daily Readings - Fri Dec 27 2024
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 profound mystery of God’s revelation and the transformative power of faith. In the First Reading from 1 John, we hear a beautiful proclamation of the Word of Life, Jesus Christ, who has been seen, heard, and touched by the apostles. John emphasizes that this Life is not distant or abstract but has been made manifest in the flesh. The purpose of this testimony is to invite us into fellowship—with God and with one another—so that our joy may be complete. This passage reminds us that our faith is rooted in the tangible, historical reality of Jesus, the Eternal Life who came among us.
In the Gospel, we witness the dramatic discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple. The scene unfolds with a sense of urgency and confusion, as Mary initially believes the body has been taken. However, when the disciples arrive, they find the tomb empty, with the linens carefully folded. For the Beloved Disciple, this sight is enough to prompt faith—he sees and believes. This passage highlights the interplay between doubt and faith, as well as the significance of the resurrection as the cornerstone of our Christian hope. The empty tomb is not just a historical event but a living symbol of God’s power to overcome death and darkness.
Together, these readings remind us that faith is not blind but rooted in the testimony of those who encountered Christ. Like the Beloved Disciple, we are called to “see and believe,” even when the circumstances of life seem uncertain. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a past event but a present reality that transforms us. In our daily lives, we are invited to live with the same joy and fellowship that John describes. Let us approach the challenges and mysteries of life with the courage of Peter and the faith of the Beloved Disciple, trusting that the Risen Lord is always with us, filling our hearts with joy and our lives with purpose.