Daily Readings - Tue Dec 31 2024
1 John
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
John
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2The same was in the beginning with God.3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of truth, light, and divine sonship. The first reading from 1 John 2:18-21 warns of the last hour and the emergence of antichrists, emphasizing that these individuals were never truly part of the community. It reassures believers of their knowledge of truth through the Holy Spirit. The Gospel from John 1:1-18 presents Jesus as the eternal Word, creator, and light in darkness, who becomes flesh to dwell among us, offering sonship to those who believe.
Contextually, 1 John addresses early Christians facing false teachings, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith. John's Gospel, in its prologue, establishes Jesus' divinity and role in creation, introducing John the Baptist as a witness to the true light. Both readings intertwine, contrasting false prophets with the eternal truth and light of Christ.
In application, these readings call us to discern truth amidst falsehood, remain faithful, and embrace our identity as children of God through belief in Jesus. The moral lesson is to trust in God's truth and light, living as His children, guided by the Holy Spirit. May we reflect on our commitment to truth and our relationship with the divine light that illuminates our path.