26 I have written you these things about the people who are trying to deceive you. 27 As for you, the Messianic anointing you received from the Father remains in you, so that you have no need for anyone to teach you. On the contrary, as his Messianic anointing continues to teach you about all things, and is true, not a counterfeit, so, just as he taught you, remain united with him.
28 And now, children, remain united with him; so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame at his coming.
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church (Memorial)Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.(1 John 2:24)
The words we hear in our childhood have great effect on us. Some words can help us build a foundation of healthy self-respect, words like “I love you” and “I can see how hard you’re working; keep it up!” But there are other words that can haunt us for years, words that have wounded us deeply and that need God’s healing touch. Clearly, what we hear “from the beginning” really does “remain in” us (1 John 2:24).
What was it you heard in your spiritual childhood? Think of the words that helped you first begin to love God and understand your place in his heart. Were they “God loves you and has a plan for your life”? Or were they “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16)? Or maybe someone just said, “I’m praying for you.”
Even the greatest saints and wisest theologians treasured the simple truths that framed their original calling. In a famous interview, Jean Vanier covered topics like mysticism and metaphysics, but he concluded with certainty that the most important thing is to become “a little friend of Jesus.” St. Augustine heard a voice telling him, “Take up and read,” and the words he encountered when he picked up a Bible converted his heart instantly. From that point on, his whole life was shaped by continually taking up Scripture and reading.
So how can the words you hear in the beginning of this year remain in you? If you haven’t done so already, think about starting a 2016 prayer journal. Maybe you could inscribe a significant saying or Scripture verse on the first page, where you can revisit it again and again. Or perhaps you’d find it more helpful to stick Post-it notes in your kitchen or on your desk. Try to think of a concrete way of allowing those words to nourish and sustain you.
And don’t worry if you don’t think you have anything to write. Continue letting the daily Scriptures be your food, and you’ll be sure to have plenty of important passages by the end of this month.
“Lord, thank you for how you have brought me to yourself. Help me remain in you by holding on to your truth.” Amen!
Psalm 98:0) A psalm:
(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
2 Adonai has made known his victory;
revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
3 remembered his grace and faithfulness
to the house of Isra’el.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!
John 1:19 Here is Yochanan’s testimony: when the Judeans sent cohanim and L’vi’im from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 he was very straightforward and stated clearly, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Then who are you?” they asked him. “Are you Eliyahu?” “No, I am not,” he said. “Are you ‘the prophet,’ the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied. 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? — so that we can give an answer to the people who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 23 He answered in the words of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, “I am
The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert make the way of Adonai straight!’”[John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3]
24 Some of those who had been sent were P’rushim. 25 They asked him, “If you are neither the Messiah nor Eliyahu nor ‘the prophet,’ then why are you immersing people?” 26 To them Yochanan replied, “I am immersing people in water, but among you is standing someone whom you don’t know. 27 He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!” 28 All this took place in Beit-Anyah, east of the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.
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