Daily Readings - Mon Jan 04 2021
1 John
22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Matthew
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between faith, love, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that God’s commandments are not burdensome but are rooted in love and belief in Jesus Christ. John urges us to test the spirits, to discern whether they are from God or not, by their confession of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh. This passage calls us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that the Spirit of God within us is greater than any false spirit in the world.
The Gospel reading from Matthew illustrates Jesus’ ministry of light and healing in a world shrouded in darkness. After withdrawing to Galilee, Jesus begins to preach repentance and heals the sick, demonstrating the power of God’s kingdom. His ministry attracts people from all walks of life, showing that God’s love and mercy extend to all. This passage invites us to reflect on how we, like Jesus, can bring light and hope into the lives of others through our actions and words.
Both readings challenge us to live out our faith authentically. John’s letter reminds us to love one another and remain faithful to God’s commandments, while Matthew’s Gospel shows us how Jesus’ ministry transformed lives through love and compassion. In our daily lives, we are called to be instruments of God’s love, discerning His presence in the world and sharing His light with those around us. Let us trust in the Spirit of truth, who guides us and empowers us to live as children of God, bringing healing and hope to a world in need.