Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word Among Us” Thursday, 9 January
2014
Meditation: 1 John 4: 19 We love[a] because he first loved
us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters,[b] are
liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister[c] whom they have seen,
cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is
this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters[d] also.
Faith Conquers the World
5: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ[e] has been
born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we
know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his
commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And
his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the
world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.
Footnotes:
a. 1 John 4:19 Other ancient authorities add him; others add God
b. 1 John 4:20 Gk brothers
c. 1 John 4:20 Gk brother
d. 1 John 4:21 Gk brothers
e. 1 John 5:1 Or the Messiah
Christmas Weekday
Everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by
him. (1 John 5:1)
Have you ever played this game? You lounge around with family or
friends and try to figure out which of their features came from their father
and which came from their mother. It can be amusing to see how parents “show
up” in their children and grandchildren.
In today’s first reading, John observes that it’s not really
possible to love God deeply but not love the people he has created. One reason
is because the Father “shows up” in all of his children. This is especially
true of our brothers and sisters in the faith, since his Holy Spirit is living
in their hearts. Whether we can see it or not, he is slowly transforming them
into the image of Jesus, who himself is the image of the Father. Doesn’t it
make sense, then, that if we really love God the Father, we should love his
children too—if for no other reason than because we see expressions of him in
them?
So why can it be so hard to love other people sometimes? Perhaps
one of the reasons is that it isn’t always easy to see the Father in his
children. It might be a lot easier to spot a person’s faults instead. Of
course, we are all far from perfect. But look at another observation John
makes: “The victory that conquers the world is our faith” (1 John 5:4). Faith
is the gift of being able to see what is hidden.
Sometimes the Father’s likeness in his children is just
that—hidden. It calls for the eyes of faith to see that although someone may
rub you the wrong way, that person is still worthy of your love and honor
because God loves and honors him or her.
Are there some people you’re having a difficult time loving
right now? In prayer today, try to see them with the eyes of faith. Imagine
Jesus standing right beside them. See how much he loves them. Think about the
special gifts God has equipped them with and the unique way they reflect his
glory. Now do you see the resemblance?
“Father, help me to see people with the eyes of faith. Show me
how they reflect your beauty.” Amen!
Psalm 72: Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King
Of Solomon.
1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness
to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with
justice.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their
blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live!
May gold of Sheba be
given to him.
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked
for him all day long.
17 May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as
long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed in him;[a]
may they pronounce him
happy.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 72:17 Or bless themselves by him
Luke 4: The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to
Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15
He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he
went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to
read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the
scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has
anointed me
to bring good news
to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight
to the blind,
to let the
oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant,
and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he
began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your
hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that
came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
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