Daily Readings - Sat Jan 06 2024
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, the testimony of God, and the transformative power of baptism. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the foundation of our faith. John emphasizes that Jesus came not just with water, symbolizing purification, but also with blood, signifying His sacrifice for humanity. The testimony of the Spirit, water, and blood all point to the truth of God’s love and the gift of eternal life through His Son. John also warns that to reject this testimony is to reject God Himself, for faith in Jesus is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, abiding trust that shapes our very lives.
In the Gospel, Mark describes the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This event is a pivotal moment in the life of Christ, as it marks the beginning of His public ministry. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice from heaven declaring Jesus as the beloved Son affirm His divine identity. This passage reminds us that baptism is more than a ritual; it is a sacrament that unites us to Christ and fills us with the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus was anointed for His mission, we too are called to live out our baptismal identity, bearing witness to God’s love in the world.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and how we live it out. Do we truly believe in the power of Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of eternal life? Are we living as children of God, reflecting His love and truth in our daily lives? Let us draw strength from the testimony of God and the grace of baptism, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey of faith. May we, like Jesus, be faithful witnesses to the Gospel, bringing light and hope to a world in need.