The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to celebrate our status as Children of God even as we incorporate gentleness and humility into our journey.
The reading from the First Letter of John declares our place 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 declares John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus as 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).
* [1:36] John the Baptist’s testimony makes his disciples’ following of Jesus plausible. (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. (Alexander, 2025)
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, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 John 2:29–3:6 comments that in just a few words, John sums up one of the most profound truths of our Christian faith. We are children of God! You could spend an entire lifetime meditating on that thought alone. Yes, we are creatures of a Creator, subjects of a King, and disciples of a Teacher. But we are so much more than that!
But it’s not just one-sided. Just as a father enjoys spending time with his children, your heavenly Father loves simply being with you. Just as a father delights in seeing his child grow and mature, your heavenly Father is thrilled when he sees you step out in faith. And just as a father is especially close when his child is struggling, your heavenly Father holds you close to his heart when you are hurting. That’s how much he loves you.
We can’t say it enough: You are a child of God! Dwell on this truth today. Repeat it to yourself often. Let it fill you with joy!
“Father, I rejoice that you have made me your child!” (Meditation on 1 John 2:29–3:6, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the dualistic theme of the Letter of John that emphasizes that if we belong to God we will keep the Commandments. Docetism challenged the Church with a life of concupiscence based on the belief that what we did with our material body was not important. Friar Jude reminds us that the dove in the Hebrew Testament was the symbol of love that presented the unity of Jesus with the Father and the Spirit.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, in a homily based on Matthew 5:13–16, explores what Jesus meant by calling us to be salt and light.
We think “If only we had the power, if only we had the majority, we could create the kingdom of God,” but it’s never been true. I know from my years of traveling that when Christians are a minority in a country, and they have to choose and decide to be the salt of the earth, to be light on a lampstand, they make a real difference.
Jesus calls us to give the world taste, meaning, purpose, direction, desire. It’s a humble position, isn’t it? We’d much sooner be in charge. But whenever someone or something has all the power, they mostly misuse power. Jesus warns us against power, because very few people can handle it. Most of us use it for our own aggrandizement, our own promotion and advancement in the ways of the world, which usually means more money and more power.
Either we learn how to be the salt of the earth, a true alternative to the normal motivations and actions of society, or as Jesus put it very clearly, we might as well throw it out and trample it underfoot. We have to find our inner authority through Christ in us; we have to find our purpose in our love of God and neighbor, and actions of mercy and justice. Otherwise, we’re not offering anything that the world doesn’t already have or can’t find in other places. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate images of the lamb and light as guidance from the Spirit for our actions in our environment to present Jesus Way on our journey.
References
Alexander, A. (2025, January 3). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010325.html
John, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?29
Meditation on 1 John 2:29–3:6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/03/1171257/
1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Resistance Position. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-resistance-position/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Behold the Lamb of God! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 3, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan3
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