Daily Readings - Thu Dec 28 2017
First Reading - 1 John 1.5 – 2.2
1 John
5And this is the announcement which we have heard from him, and which we announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness6If we claim that we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, then we are lying and not telling the truth7But if we walk in the light, just as he also is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin8If we claim that we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us9If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity10If we claim that we have not sinned, then we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us
Gospel - Matthew 2.13-18
Matthew
13And after they had gone away, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: "Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and flee into Egypt. And remain there until I tell you. For it will happen that Herod will seek the boy to destroy him.14And getting up, he took the boy and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt15And he remained there, until the death of Herod, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Out of Egypt, I called my son.16Then Herod, seeing that he had been fooled by the Magi, was very angry. And so he sent to kill all the boys who were in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had learned by questioning the Magi17Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying18"A voice has been heard in Ramah, great weeping and wailing: Rachel crying for her sons. And she was not willing to be consoled, because they were no more.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about God's nature and our response to His grace. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that God is light, devoid of darkness, and invites us to walk in this light through fellowship and honesty about our sins. John reminds us that Jesus, our advocate, offers forgiveness and cleansing, urging us to confess our sins rather than deny them.
The Gospel from Matthew narrates the Holy Family's flight to Egypt, highlighting God's providential protection and the tragic massacre of the innocents. This event underscores the harsh realities of a world in darkness, yet it also illustrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as the Holy Family's journey reflects Israel's history.
Both readings intertwine the themes of light versus darkness and redemption. John's letter calls us to live in the light of truth and humility, while Matthew's narrative shows God's intervention in the face of evil. Together, they remind us to trust in God's plan, even amidst adversity, and to seek forgiveness and fellowship. May we embrace the light of Christ, acknowledging our sins and trusting in His providence, allowing His grace to transform our lives.