Lectionary: 205
Reading 1
1 Jn 2:22-28
Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
As for you,
the anointing that you received from him remains in you,
so that you do not need anyone to teach you.
But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false;
just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Alleluia
Heb 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 1:19-28
This is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
So they said to him,
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’
as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: TRUTH SERUM
"Who is the liar?" –1 John 2:22
As we begin the new year, we are asked the question: "Who is the liar?" The answers to this question are:
"He who denies that Jesus is the Christ" (1 Jn 2:22)."The Antichrist, denying the Father and the Son" (1 Jn 2:22)."The man who claims, 'I have known Him,' without keeping His commandments" (1 Jn 2:4).
The devil is also a liar (Jn 8:44). Yet he is more than that. He is "the father of lies" (Jn 8:44). He starts, expands, connects, and manages lies to form a culture of death. Only if we believe in Jesus, the Truth (see Jn 14:6), and thereby reject Satan and all his lying works and promises, will we be free (see Jn 8:32). If, however, we let ourselves be bribed or intimidated into believing Satan's lies, we will be manipulated even into calling God a liar (1 Jn 1:10; 5:10).
To overcome the evil spirit, we need the Holy Spirit, Who is the Truth (1 Jn 5:6). "As His anointing teaches you about all things and is true – free from any lie – remain in Him as that anointing taught you" (1 Jn 2:27). "When He comes...being the Spirit of Truth He will guide you to all truth" (Jn 16:13). Come, Holy Spirit of Truth!
PRAYER: Father, by Your grace I will never "do anything against the Truth, but only for the sake of the Truth" (2 Cor 13:8).
PROMISE: "He Himself made us a promise and the promise is no less than this: eternal life." –1 Jn 2:25
PRAISE: St. Basil was grandson, son, and brother to other canonized saints.
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
No comments:
Post a Comment