Daily Readings - Fri Jan 05 2018
First Reading - 1 John 3.11-21
1 John
11For this is the announcement that you heard from the beginning: that you should love one another12Do not be like Cain, who was of the evil one, and who killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked, but his brother’s works were just13If the world hates you, brothers, do not be surprised14We know that we have passed from death to life. For we love as brothers. Whoever does not love, abides in death15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding within him16We know the love of God in this way: because he laid down his life for us. And so, we must lay down our lives for our brothers17Whoever possesses the goods of this world, and sees his brother to be in need, and yet closes his heart to him: in what way does the love of God abide in him18My little sons, let us not love in words only, but in works and in truth19In this way, we will know that we are of the truth, and we will commend our hearts in his sight20For even if our heart reproaches us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things21Most beloved, if our heart does not reproach us, we can have confidence toward God
Gospel - John 1.43-51
John
43On the next day, he wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me.44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter45Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.46And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good be from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see.47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, and he said about him, "Behold, an Israelite in whom truly there is no deceit.48Nathanael said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus responded and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.49Nathanael answered him and said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.50Jesus responded and said to him: "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. Greater things than these, you will see.51And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of love, faith, and discipleship. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that love is not merely a feeling or a word but a commitment to action. John contrasts the wickedness of Cain, who allowed jealousy to lead him to murder, with the selfless love of God, who laid down his life for us. This love, John insists, must be expressed in concrete ways: sharing our resources with those in need and living out our faith in truth and action. The second reading from John’s Gospel shifts our focus to the call of Philip and Nathanael. Nathanael’s initial skepticism about Jesus gives way to faith when Jesus reveals his knowledge of Nathanael’s heart. This encounter teaches us that true faith is rooted in trust and openness to God’s revelation, even when it challenges our preconceptions.
Both readings emphasize the connection between belief and action. In the Gospel, Nathanael’s faith grows as he encounters Jesus, and he comes to recognize him as the Son of God. Similarly, in the first reading, John calls us to move beyond mere words of love to a life of self-giving service. The two readings together remind us that our faith must be lived out in tangible ways, just as our love for God and neighbor must be demonstrated through our actions. Jesus’ promise to Nathanael that he will see “greater things” than the sign he witnessed suggests that our faith will deepen as we follow him and live out his teachings.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in my daily life? Am I willing to love not just in words but in deeds? Am I open to the ways God might be revealing himself to me, even in unexpected ways? May we, like Nathanael, respond to God’s call with trust and humility, and may we, like John urges, love one another in truth and action. In doing so, we will not only grow in our relationship with God but also bear witness to his love in a world that so desperately needs it.