Daily Readings - Mon Jan 06 2025
1 John
22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Matthew
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound interplay between faith, love, and the triumph of light over darkness. The First Letter of John emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's commandments, particularly the commandment to love one another. John warns us to discern the spirits, recognizing that not every influence is of God. He assures us that we, as children of God, have overcome the forces of darkness because the Spirit of God dwells within us. This letter invites us to live in truth and love, trusting in God's presence and guidance.
The Gospel of Matthew illustrates this message through the actions of Jesus. After withdrawing to Galilee, Jesus begins his ministry, fulfilling the prophecy that light would shine in the darkness. His preaching, healing, and compassionate care for the sick and afflicted demonstrate the kingdom of God breaking into the world. Jesus' ministry is a testament to the power of light overcoming darkness, bringing hope and salvation to all who seek Him.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to embody the light of Christ in our daily lives. Just as Jesus brought light to those in darkness, we are to be beacons of hope and love in a world often shrouded in shadows. Let us trust in the Spirit within us, discerning truth from falsehood, and living with the confidence that God's light will guide us. May we, like Jesus, bring healing and hope to those around us, remembering that we are children of light, called to reflect God's love and truth in all we do.