Daily Readings - Sun Dec 17 2023

¹The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,²to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,¹⁰I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.¹¹For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 5

¹⁶Be joyful always;¹⁷pray continually;¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.¹⁹Do not put out the Spirit's fire;²⁰do not treat prophecies with contempt.²¹Test everything. Hold on to the good.²²Avoid every kind of evil.²³May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.²⁴The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

John

Chapter 1

⁶There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.¹⁹Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.²⁰He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ. "²¹They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not.Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."²²Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"²³John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"²⁴Now some Pharisees who had been sent²⁵questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"²⁶"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know.²⁷He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."²⁸This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter profound messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Isaiah presents a prophet anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the afflicted and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. This passage, rooted in the context of Israel’s hope for redemption, highlights the Messiah’s mission to heal and restore. The second reading from Thessalonians encourages believers to embrace joy, constant prayer, and gratitude, while being open to the Spirit’s guidance. This epistle, written by Paul, emphasizes living faithfully and avoiding evil, trusting in God’s faithfulness. The Gospel features John the Baptist, who humbly testifies to Jesus as the Light, preparing the way for the Lord without seeking glory for himself. These readings are intricately connected, each pointing to Jesus as the source of our joy and mission. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, who embodies the Spirit’s anointing to bring salvation. John the Baptist’s role is to prepare the way for Jesus, illustrating humility and purpose. Thessalonians teaches us to live in the Spirit, which aligns with the mission and joy found in the other readings. Together, they remind us that our lives should reflect the Light of Christ, lived with humility and openness to the Spirit. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to live with joy and gratitude, embracing the Spirit’s guidance. Our mission is to point others to Christ, not seeking to be the center of attention but to serve and prepare the way for others to encounter Jesus. This requires humility and a willingness to let our lives be a testament to His presence. The moral lesson is clear: we are to live with joy, humility, and openness to the Spirit, using our lives to serve and direct others to Christ. Let us strive to embody these virtues, allowing His Light to shine through us.