Daily Readings - Fri Dec 29 2017

³We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.⁴The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.⁵But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:⁶Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.⁷Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.⁸Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.⁹Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.¹⁰Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

Luke

Chapter 2

²²When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ),²⁴and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."²⁵Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.²⁷Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:²⁹"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people,³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."³³The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,³⁵so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about faith, love, and the light of Christ. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that knowing God is not merely intellectual but demonstrated through obedience to His commandments and love for one another. John warns against the darkness of hatred, emphasizing that true followers of Christ walk in His light, characterized by love and unity. The Gospel from Luke presents the scene of Jesus' presentation in the temple, where Simeon prophetically declares Jesus as the light to the nations, bringing revelation and glory. This moment also foretells the sorrow Mary will endure, symbolizing the sword that pierces her soul, revealing the hearts of many. Both readings, though from different contexts, converge on the theme of light overcoming darkness. John's epistle, written to early Christians facing Gnostic challenges, underscores the importance of living out faith through love and obedience. Luke's narrative, part of the infancy story, highlights Jesus' mission as the universal savior, fulfilling Jewish law and initiating His redemptive work. Together, they illustrate that faith is both personal and communal, requiring us to embody God's love and light in our actions. In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect God's light by loving others and adhering to His commandments. Let us walk in the light of Christ, choosing love over hatred and obedience over indifference. May our faith be a beacon of hope, inspiring others to seek the truth and love of God. As Simeon's prophecy reminds us, Jesus is the revelation to all people, and our lives should reflect His light, guiding others through the darkness. Let us embrace this calling with courage and humility, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us.