Daily Readings - Fri Dec 29 2017

First Reading - 1 John 2.3-11

³And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments⁴Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him⁵But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected. And by this we know that we are in him⁶Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked⁷Most beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the old commandment, which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word, which you have heard⁸Then too, I am writing to you a new commandment, which is the Truth in him and in you. For the darkness has passed away, and the true Light is now shining⁹Whoever declares himself to be in the light, and yet hates his brother, is in the darkness even now¹⁰Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of offense in him¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, and in darkness he walks, and he does not know where he is going. For the darkness has blinded his eyes

Gospel - Luke 2.22-35

Luke

Chapter 2

²²And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord²³just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,²⁴and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.²⁵And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him²⁶And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord²⁷And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law²⁸he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said²⁹"Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation³¹which you have prepared before the face of all peoples³²the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.³³And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him³⁴And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: "Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted³⁵And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about faith, love, and the light of Christ. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that knowing God is not merely intellectual but demonstrated through obedience to His commandments and love for one another. John warns against the darkness of hatred, emphasizing that true followers of Christ walk in His light, characterized by love and unity. The Gospel from Luke presents the scene of Jesus' presentation in the temple, where Simeon prophetically declares Jesus as the light to the nations, bringing revelation and glory. This moment also foretells the sorrow Mary will endure, symbolizing the sword that pierces her soul, revealing the hearts of many. Both readings, though from different contexts, converge on the theme of light overcoming darkness. John's epistle, written to early Christians facing Gnostic challenges, underscores the importance of living out faith through love and obedience. Luke's narrative, part of the infancy story, highlights Jesus' mission as the universal savior, fulfilling Jewish law and initiating His redemptive work. Together, they illustrate that faith is both personal and communal, requiring us to embody God's love and light in our actions. In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect God's light by loving others and adhering to His commandments. Let us walk in the light of Christ, choosing love over hatred and obedience over indifference. May our faith be a beacon of hope, inspiring others to seek the truth and love of God. As Simeon's prophecy reminds us, Jesus is the revelation to all people, and our lives should reflect His light, guiding others through the darkness. Let us embrace this calling with courage and humility, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us.