Reading I
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.
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.
Meditation: 1 John 2:22-28
No wonder John was up in arms! People were leaving the church.
Someone had deceived them with promises of “knowledge” they didn’t yet have. We don’t know exactly what was said that led them astray, but apparently it had to do with denying that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 2:22-23).
And so John cautions, “Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you” (1 John 2:24). Be suspicious of any special teachings that go against what you heard when you were baptized. Hold tightly to the truth that changed your life, so that you can discern light from darkness. See to it that you remember; do whatever it takes to hold on to what you have heard from the beginning.
Whether you were baptized as an infant or an adult, spend time thinking about your life with the Lord. What events have led you closer to him? Try to recall one or two times when you had a dramatic experience of his love, or his protection, or his power. If you haven’t done so already, try to write out the story of your faith journey, so that in the future you can reread the miracles Jesus has wrought in you!
Let these truths remain in you! Take the time in your prayer to get more clear on them, so that you are ready to fight the good fight. Hold on to the truth that God loves you and cares about you and about the things you care about. Never forget that he has given you his Holy Spirit and that he wants to speak to you and guide you in your life. Stand fast in the knowledge that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is your Savior, the One who grants you eternal life.
God wants to make you into salt and light for the people around you. He wants to use you to build his church and to preach his gospel. Equipped with the truths of what you have heard from the beginning, you can move mountains!
“Father, thank you for your love! Even when I didn’t know you, you made me alive in Christ. Help me to share that life with everyone I meet today.”
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