Daily Readings - Fri Dec 28 2018
1 John
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Matthew
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:18"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on the nature of God and the human condition, intertwined with a narrative of divine intervention and human tragedy. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that God is light, and to walk in this light requires acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness. This letter, written to early Christians grappling with the nature of faith and sin, emphasizes the importance of humility and the assurance of Jesus Christ as our advocate. The Gospel from Matthew recounts the flight into Egypt, where Joseph, guided by an angel, protects the Holy Family from Herod’s wrath. This narrative not only highlights the fulfillment of prophecy but also underscores the darker realities of human sin and the tragic consequences of unchecked power.
The connection between these readings lies in their exploration of light and darkness, both literally and metaphorically. In 1 John, the light of God’s truth exposes our sinfulness, yet it also offers redemption through confession and forgiveness. In Matthew, the light of God’s plan shines through the protection of the Holy Family, even as the darkness of Herod’s violence claims the lives of innocent children. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the interplay of light and darkness in our own lives. Just as Joseph trusted in God’s guidance, we too are called to trust in divine providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or fraught with danger.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded of the importance of humility and trust. Like the Holy Family, we may face unexpected challenges and be called to make difficult decisions. Yet, in these moments, we can turn to God, who is our light in the darkness. The moral lesson here is clear: acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness allows us to walk in the light of God’s truth, just as Joseph’s obedience and trust in God’s plan preserved the life of the Savior. May we, too, strive to live in this light, trusting in God’s providence and seeking forgiveness when we falter. In doing so, we not only deepen our relationship with God but also become beacons of hope and light in a world often shrouded in darkness.