Daily Readings - Fri Jan 10 2020

⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.⁶This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.⁷For there are three that testify:⁸the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.⁹We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.¹⁰Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.¹¹And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.¹²He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.¹³I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Luke

Chapter 5

¹²While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."¹³Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.¹⁴Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."¹⁵Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.¹⁶But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about faith and compassion. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that victory over the world comes through belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It highlights the testimony of the Spirit, water, and blood, symbolizing the sacraments and the divine nature of Christ. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' compassion as He heals a leper, demonstrating His divine power and mercy, followed by His retreat into prayer for spiritual renewal. These passages remind us that faith is not just intellectual assent but a deep trust in God's promises, leading to eternal life. Just as the leper trusted Jesus for healing, we must trust God in our trials. The healings and teachings of Jesus call us to live with compassion and humility, reflecting His love in our actions. After healing, Jesus withdrew to pray, showing the importance of prayer in maintaining a strong spiritual life. In our daily lives, let us embrace faith as a living trust in God, seeking Him in prayer and emulating His compassion. May we, like the leper, approach Jesus with humility and trust, and may our actions reflect the love and mercy He has shown us. Through faith and prayer, we find the strength to overcome the world and live in the eternal life offered by Jesus Christ.