Reading 1
1 Jn 3:22–4:6
Beloved:
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.
Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a
Responsorial PsalmR. (8ab)
I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.”
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
Gospel
Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
His fame spread to all of Syria,
and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases
and racked with pain,
those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics,
and he cured them.
And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,
and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Meditation: 1 John 3:22–4:6
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Just who is “the one” who is in us? The Holy Spirit! Whether you know it or not, he has been with you since your baptism, and he wants to make a big difference in your life. This simple truth of our faith can fill us with great confidence. There may be ominous threats in the world. You may face the temptations of the devil and the annoyances of his fallen spirits. You may have to do battle with your own sinful tendencies. But no matter what challenge is set before you, you don’t ever have to be afraid. You belong to God. His Holy Spirit has conquered all of them! Although false teachings and alluring temptations abound, you can discern who to listen to.
How? By the Holy Spirit! He wants to help you navigate the murky or tumultuous waters you face every day. The same Holy Spirit who reveals Jesus to you can also unmask those spirits or philosophies that want to turn you away from Jesus. He can teach you how to face every situation with one question in mind: “Is Jesus being honored and given first place?” The answer to that question may be all you need to discern your path when facing a difficult choice or when temptation rears its head.
If you’re feeling unsure of yourself, don’t worry! Remember: History is filled with stories of how the Holy Spirit has spoken through the church, helping believers to discern right from wrong in complex moral and social issues. So even if you’re not sure you’ve heard the Spirit in your heart, you can always listen for his voice in the church! Try reading church documents, especially those that address an issue you are struggling with. Try speaking with a trusted priest or spiritual advisor. Then listen as the Spirit helps you relate your specific situation to the words of the church.
Start experimenting today. In prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to God’s ways in the world. Then follow his guidance in the choices you make. You will find that the more you listen, the easier it gets to hear!
“Holy Spirit, the world around me is filled with confusing and conflicting messages. Please help me discern which ones I should listen to!”
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