Daily Readings - Sat Jan 12 2019
1 John
14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.15And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.16If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.18We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
John
22After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.24(This was before John was put in prison.)25An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.26They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.30He must become greater; I must become less.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of prayer, sin, and humility. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes confidence in prayer, assuring us that our requests, when aligned with God's will, are heard. It also distinguishes between sins that lead to death and those that do not, offering hope for life through prayer for others. The Gospel from John presents John the Baptist's humble response to Jesus' rising influence, highlighting the importance of decreasing oneself so that Christ may increase.
Contextually, 1 John was written to early Christians facing Gnostic challenges, reinforcing the power of prayer and the nature of sin. John's letter comforts believers, assuring them of God's protection and the eternal life found in His Son. In John 3:22-30, John the Baptist addresses rivalry between his followers and Jesus' disciples, demonstrating humility and trust in God's plan.
Both readings intertwine through themes of humility and trust. John's humility mirrors the confidence in prayer from 1 John, showing that true service to God involves selflessness. Applying this to daily life, we are called to humble service and trust in God's will through prayer. The moral lesson is clear: embrace humility and trust in God, avoiding jealousy, and recognizing our role in His greater plan.