Daily Readings - Fri Jan 06 2023
1 John
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.
Mark
4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.7And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.11And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Sermon
In today's readings, we delve into the essence of faith and the divine affirmation of Jesus' identity. The First Reading from 1 John emphasizes that overcoming the world is rooted in believing Jesus is the Son of God. It highlights the unity of the Spirit, water, and blood as testimonies to this truth, reinforcing that eternal life is found in the Son. The Gospel from Mark vividly describes Jesus' baptism, where the heavens open, the Spirit descends as a dove, and a voice declares Jesus as the beloved Son. This scene underscores John's humility and the divine validation of Jesus' mission.
Contextually, 1 John was written to early Christians to fortify their faith amidst challenges, while Mark's account is an early narrative focusing on Jesus' actions and identity. Both readings converge on affirming Jesus' divine identity, with the First Reading providing theological depth and the Gospel offering a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our faith. Just as John recognized his role and humbly stepped aside, we too can acknowledge our limitations and trust in God's plan. Belief in Jesus should not be passive but transformative, guiding our actions and decisions. The example of John's humility teaches us to embrace our roles with grace, knowing that our strength lies in God.
As we reflect, let us remember that faith is both a gift and a choice. It is through faith that we receive eternal life, and it is through humility that we align ourselves with God's will. May we, like the early Christians, find strength in our belief and live with the assurance that we are beloved children of God, called to embody His love in our world.