Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word Among Us” Thursday, 2 January 2014

Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word Among Us” Thursday, 2 January 2014

Meditation: First Letter of John 2: 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?[a] This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us,[b] eternal life.

26 I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.[c]

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

Footnotes:

a. 1 John 2:22 Or the Messiah

b. 1 John 2:25 Other ancient authorities read you

c. 1 John 2:27 Or it

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church

Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you… . Then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:24)

When an architect draws up the plans for a new building, he or she must calculate how deep to dig the foundation, based on the weight that the foundation must bear. So here’s a question: do you feel your foundation is strong enough to bear the weight of the challenges you are currently facing? If your foundation is Jesus, the answer is a resounding yes!

In today’s Gospel reading, we see how deep a foundation John the Baptist had. Boldly speaking against the sins and injustices of his day, John was not shaken in the least when Israel’s religious leaders came to question him. In the plainspoken manner that comes from humility, John simply answered, “I am not” when they asked if he was the Messiah or Elijah or the “Prophet” Moses had predicted (John 1:20, 21). Without fanfare or defensiveness, he pointed them to “the one

… whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” (1:27).

It seems like a simple exchange, but these few words show how clear John was about his calling. They show that his foundation—his faith in God and in the mission he had received—was strong, deep, and more than able to support him.

How can we build the same foundation? By taking the words from the first reading to heart—the words at the top of this meditation. We can “remain” in Christ, unswayed and undisturbed, if we try to build our lives on the truths of the gospel. “Jesus, you are the Messiah. You died for all sin and rose again. You love me with an everlasting love. You have redeemed me and filled me with your Holy Spirit. Lord, I belong to you!”

Hold onto these truths. Proclaim them in your prayer time every day. Then, when your faith is challenged, you will stand. When struggles or difficulties arise, you will be able to lean on the Lord. When Satan tries to undermine your belief in God’s love, you won’t be fooled. Like John the Baptist, you will be able to stand in confidence, conviction, and joy!

“Jesus, teach me to stand on all the truths you have planted in my heart. Help me open my heart to receive more of your life.” Amen!

Psalm 98: Praise the Judge of the World

A Psalm.

1 O sing to the Lord a new song,

    for he has done marvelous things.

His right hand and his holy arm

    have gotten him victory.

2 The Lord has made known his victory;

    he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

    to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

    the victory of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

    break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

John 1: The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”[a] 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,

‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,[b] nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Footnotes:

a. John 1:20 Or the Christ

b. John 1:25 Or the Christ

-------