Daily Readings - Thu Jan 02 2020
1 John
22Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son.23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.25And this is what he promised us--even eternal life.26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
John
19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ. "21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not.Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"24Now some Pharisees who had been sent25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know.27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
In today's readings, we delve into the essence of faith and humility through the words of 1 John and the testimony of John the Baptist. The first reading from 1 John 2:22-28 emphasizes the crucial belief in Jesus as the Christ, warning against those who deny Him and thus deny the Father. It reassures us of the promise of eternal life and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, urging us to remain steadfast in our faith. The Gospel reading, John 1:19-28, presents John the Baptist, who humbly clarifies his role not as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet, but as a voice preparing the way for the Lord. He baptizes with water, yet acknowledges the greater one coming after him, embodying humility and redirection of focus to Jesus.
Both readings highlight the centrality of Jesus Christ. 1 John underscores the necessity of orthodox belief, countering early heresies by affirming Jesus's divine and human nature. John's Gospel situates John the Baptist as a precursor, introducing Jesus to the world. Together, they illustrate the importance of recognizing and testifying to Jesus's identity, reinforcing the need for unwavering faith and humility.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to remain steadfast in our belief, trusting in the Holy Spirit's guidance. Like John the Baptist, we should humbly point others to Christ, avoiding self-aggrandizement. The moral lesson is clear: Jesus is the center of our faith, and our role is to reflect His light, stepping aside so others may encounter Him. Let us embrace this humility and steadfastness, ensuring our lives testify to the transformative power of knowing Jesus Christ.