Daily Readings - Thu Jan 04 2018
1 John
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
John
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter ).
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of righteousness, sin, and the transformative encounter with Jesus. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that those born of God do not sin because His seed abides in them. John distinguishes between the sons of God and the sons of the devil, urging us to live justly and love our brothers. The Gospel from John illustrates this through the story of John the Baptist directing his disciples to Jesus. The disciples follow Jesus, spend time with Him, and Andrew introduces his brother Peter, who is transformed by the encounter.
The context of 1 John is a letter to early Christians, encouraging righteous living and love. The Gospel scene is set in the early days of Jesus' ministry, showing how His presence calls and transforms individuals. Both readings connect by highlighting the call to live according to God's will and the impact of encountering Jesus, which leads to transformation and sharing the Good News with others.
Applying this to daily life, we are reminded to examine our actions and strive for justice, recognizing sin's presence. Like Andrew, we should invite others to experience Jesus. The moral lesson is clear: our actions reflect our relationship with God. Following Jesus and allowing His presence to transform us is key. Just as Peter was renamed, our encounter with Jesus should lead to a new life of love and service, embodying our identity as God's children.