Daily Readings - Wed Dec 29 2021
1 John
3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
Luke
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ),24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.30For my eyes have seen your salvation,31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, obedience, and the light of God that guides us through the darkness of the world. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that knowing God is not merely an intellectual exercise but a lived experience rooted in keeping His commandments. John emphasizes that love for our brothers and sisters is a fundamental expression of walking in the light of God. He warns that hatred and darkness blind us, separating us from the truth of God’s love. This passage calls us to examine our actions and relationships, ensuring that they reflect the charity and truth of God’s Word.
In the Gospel, Luke presents the scene of Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple for purification, in accordance with Jewish law. Here, Simeon, a righteous and Spirit-filled man, recognizes Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the light of revelation to the nations. Simeon’s prophecy also reveals the deeper significance of Jesus’ mission: He will bring both salvation and division, and Mary, as the Mother of the Messiah, will share in the sorrows of His redemptive work. This passage underscores the universal scope of God’s plan and the transformative power of faith, even in the face of suffering.
Together, these readings remind us that living as children of God means embracing both the light of His truth and the challenges that come with it. Like Simeon, we are called to recognize and proclaim the presence of God in our lives, even when it requires us to confront darkness and difficulty. John’s letter challenges us to live out our faith in love and obedience, ensuring that our words and actions align with the truth of God’s commandments. As we navigate the complexities of daily life, may we remain steadfast in the light of God’s love, allowing it to guide us through every trial and to shine forth in a world still shrouded in darkness.