The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are an invitation to be children of the Full Life as expressed in the Word.
The reading from the First Letter of John proclaims our status as Children of God.
* [3:1–3] The greatest sign of God’s love is the gift of his Son (Jn 3:16) that has made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of the Son.
* [3:2] When it is revealed: or “when he is revealed” (the subject of the verb could be Christ).
* [3:4] Lawlessness: a reference to the activity of the antichrist, so it is expressed as hostility toward God and a rejection of Christ. The author goes on to contrast the states of sin and righteousness. Christians do not escape sin but realize that when they sin they cease to have fellowship with God. Virtue and sin distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil. (1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John, proclaims The Lamb of God.
* [1:29] The Lamb of God: the background for this title may be the victorious apocalyptic lamb who would destroy evil in the world (Rev 5–7; 17:14); the paschal lamb, whose blood saved Israel (Ex 12); and/or the suffering servant led like a lamb to the slaughter as a sin-offering (Is 53:7, 10).
* [1:30] He existed before me: possibly as Elijah (to come, Jn 1:27); for the evangelist and his audience, Jesus’ preexistence would be implied (see note on Jn 1:1).
* [1:31] I did not know him: this gospel shows no knowledge of the tradition (Lk 1) about the kinship of Jesus and John the Baptist. The reason why I came baptizing with water: in this gospel, John’s baptism is not connected with forgiveness of sins; its purpose is revelatory, that Jesus may be made known to Israel.
* [1:32] Like a dove: a symbol of the new creation (Gn 8:8) or the community of Israel (Hos 11:11). Remain: the first use of a favorite verb in John, emphasizing the permanency of the relationship between Father and Son (as here) and between the Son and the Christian. Jesus is the permanent bearer of the Spirit.
* [1:34] The Son of God: this reading is supported by good Greek manuscripts, including the Chester Beatty and Bodmer Papyri and the Vatican Codex, but is suspect because it harmonizes this passage with the synoptic version: “This is my beloved Son” (Mt 3:17; Mk 1:11; Lk 3:22). The poorly attested alternate reading, “God’s chosen One,” is probably a reference to the Servant of Yahweh (Is 42:1). (John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. (2020) comments that St. Ignatius speaks of the spiritual journey as the "reformation of our desires." It's about what I want; what I seek; what attracts me and motivates me. When I experience Jesus' love - for me personally - my desires change. Love always does that. I love the one who loves me. The Christian ethic is no longer "avoiding sin, when I can" (while pursuing what pleases me or appears to be the goal of success in the world). The Christian life becomes the desire to thrive as a human person on fire with Jesus' love and his mission. Jesus told us, "They'll know you are my disciples by the love you have for one another." (John 13:35). My desires are formed by the one who loves me and with whom I am falling in love.
No matter where we are, what shape we're in spiritually, how confused we are, how much we are hurting or angry or sad - Jesus always invites us to come to him and to see where this new "home" for us is. It will often lead us to row against the strong current around us. What we will discover is complete love, which feels for us and with us, and desires only our healing, our peace and our true fulfillment. And, his Holy Spirit will lift us up and help us join him in renewing the face of the earth. (Alexander, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “John points to Jesus' saving mission,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"No longer does John need to 'prepare the way,' since the one for whom the preparation was being made is right there before his eyes... But now he who of old was dimly pictured, the very Lamb, the spotless Sacrifice, is led to the slaughter for all, that he might drive away the sin of the world, that he might overturn the destroyer of the earth, that dying for all he might annihilate death, that he might undo the curse that is upon us... For one Lamb died for all (2 Corinthians 5:14), saving the whole flock on earth to God the Father, one for all, that he might subject all to God." (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.1) (Schwager, 2022)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 John 2:29–3:6 comments that as children of God, we have a new connection with God. Our relationship with our Father is not driven by fear or by striving to win his affection; it is based on his unwavering faithfulness to us. It’s a relationship of love, peace, and security. That connection with him fills us with gratitude and moves us to obey him. When we stumble, we can repent, because he will always take us back. His fatherly care remains with us no matter what!
Finally, as God’s children, we are beloved by our Father. He loves us so much that he gave his Son to be our Savior. At Jesus’ Baptism, the heavens opened, and the Father’s voice rang out, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). When our Father looks at us, he sees Jesus and his life within us. He delights in us and says, These are my beloved sons and daughters, in whom I am well pleased. What wondrous love God has for us!
Before you do anything else today, take a moment to be amazed that the maker of heaven and earth has made you his child.
“Father, help me to never forget that you have called me into your family!” (Meditation on 1 John 2:29–3:6, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the docetism heresy that portrayed Christ as spiritual and Jesus as material. John’s role in the Gospel to point to Jesus as the Lamb/Servant of God is visible in an Aramaic word play. Friar Jude reminds us that the high Christology of John, expressed in the Prologue, indicates a Divine understanding of the Son of God.
Dr. Barbara Holmes considers the collective resilience needed during times of crisis. There is a way in which we can come together as groups, as collectives, as individuals, and seek the highest good of all of us by using our gifts creatively. There really are alternatives. It’s not one thing or another. We don’t have to have large systems determining the outcome of our lives. We just have to think through creatively how we want to maximize the flourishing of most of us, not just a few of us.
Where is your community hurting? Where can you be of help to that community? What resources and gifts do you possess that will enhance the healing of your own body and of your community? As a village, we have a sacred duty to respond to the crises of oppression and injustice. We have a responsibility to respond to the suffering of others around us. But first, we have to figure out who we are, how we’re going to show up, and how we’re going to work with others, our neighbors, in a communal response to crisis. (Holmes, 2024)
We ponder our status as children of God as we are inspired by the Spirit to share the Love of Christ.
References
Alexander, A. (2024, January 3). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010324.html
Holmes, B. (2024, January 3). A Collective Response — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-collective-response/
John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1
Meditation on 1 John 2:29–3:6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/03/866342/
1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98
Schwager, D. (2022, August 30). Behold the Lamb of God! Daily Scripture net. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan3
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