Daily Readings - Sat Dec 30 2017

First Reading - 1 John 2.12-17

¹²I am writing to you, little sons, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of his name¹³I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, adolescents, because you have overcome the evil one¹⁴I am writing to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one¹⁵Do not choose to love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the charity of the Father is not in him¹⁶For all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the arrogance of a life which is not of the Father, but is of the world¹⁷And the world is passing away, with its desire. But whoever does the will of God abides unto eternity

Gospel - Luke 2.36-40

Luke

Chapter 2

³⁶And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity³⁷And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day³⁸And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel³⁹And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth⁴⁰Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him

Sermon

The readings today offer us a powerful reflection on living a life rooted in faith and devotion. In the first reading from 1 John, we hear a call to resist the allure of the world and instead choose a life shaped by God’s will. John reminds us that the world’s desires—flesh, eyes, and pride—are fleeting and opposed to the Father’s love. He encourages us to remain strong in the Word of God and to overcome the evil one. This passage challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure that our hearts are not entangled in the temporary attractions of this world but are instead fixed on eternal truths. The Gospel from Luke introduces us to Anna, a prophetess whose life exemplifies this very call. Anna, advanced in age and a widow, dedicates herself to prayer and fasting, never leaving the temple. Her unwavering devotion to God allows her to recognize the redemption of Israel in the infant Jesus. Anna’s story shows us what it means to live a life fully surrendered to God, trusting in His plan even when the world around us seems uncertain. Her example invites us to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with God, one that transcends worldly distractions and remains focused on His will. Together, these readings remind us that our strength and wisdom come not from the world but from God. Like Anna, we are called to live with purpose and perseverance, trusting that our lives are part of a larger story of redemption. Let us strive to overcome the temptations of the world by grounding ourselves in prayer, fasting, and a deep love for God’s Word. In doing so, we will find the grace to grow in wisdom and to abide in God’s will, even as the world around us fades away.