Daily Readings - Thu Dec 30 2021
1 John
12I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.13I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.14I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Luke
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God and the world around us. In the first reading from 1 John, we hear a message of hope and caution. John addresses different members of the community—little children, fathers, young men—and reminds them of their identity in Christ. He emphasizes that our sins are forgiven through the name of Jesus, and he warns us not to love the world or the things of the world. He explains that the world’s desires—flesh, eyes, and pride—are fleeting and not from God. Instead, he encourages us to do the will of God, which endures forever. This passage calls us to examine where our hearts are rooted: in the eternal love of God or in the temporary allurements of the world.
In the Gospel, we encounter Anna, a prophetess who embodies a life of devotion and faithfulness. Anna, a widow who has spent most of her life in prayer and fasting, recognizes the infant Jesus as the redemption of Israel. Her story teaches us about perseverance, dedication, and the importance of staying connected to God through constant prayer. Anna’s life was not one of worldly success or comfort, but it was rich in spirit. She exemplifies how living in accordance with God’s will, even in simplicity and humility, can lead to profound spiritual insights and a deep sense of purpose.
Together, these readings remind us that our true strength and identity come from God. Like Anna, we are called to live lives of prayer, trust, and fidelity, even when the world around us seems uncertain. John’s warning about the fleeting nature of worldly desires encourages us to prioritize what truly lasts: our relationship with God and living according to His will. Let us ask ourselves: Are we rooted in the eternal love of God, or are we chasing the temporary things of this world? May we strive to live like Anna, with hearts fixed on God, and may we find strength in His Word, which abides in us forever.