Thursday, 4 January 2024. Read 1 John 3:7-10, Ps. 98:1,7-9, John 1:35-42
“Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who sins is a child of the devil.” (1 John 3:7-8)
In today’s first reading, St. John tells us that children will always behave like their fathers. In other words, our character spells out where we belong. If we claim to be children of God, there are certain things we should never do, whether or not anyone is watching us. As children of God, we should never be ashamed or afraid of living righteously.
On the other hand, we should not assume that everyone is a child of God. Jesus said: “By their fruits, you shall know them.” There are many children of the devil in our world today, and they are loyal to him. This is why Jesus warns us against trying to be like everyone else. No servant can have two masters. (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). Be careful of your actions; you are either working for God or increasing darkness in the world.
St. John says: “The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:10). The children of the devil are never happy seeing others behave well. Also, the children of the devil do not love; they are always carrying hatred and bitterness in their hearts, always looking for an opportunity to steal, kill and destroy.
In our Gospel passage today, John the Baptist introduces Jesus to his disciples for the second time as the Lamb of God. This time, John the Baptist lost two of his disciples to Jesus. John the Baptist would, later on, confess: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30). This is what it means to evangelise: allowing Jesus to increase (become more popular) while you decrease.
The two disciples went to Jesus to inquire about where he was staying. They were eager to know everything about Jesus, and after spending a day with Jesus, they couldn’t keep the Good News to themselves alone; they started telling people about Jesus.
Indeed, you cannot give what you don’t have. Like these two disciples, we must spend time with Jesus before attempting to bring others to Him. We must allow Jesus to bring us out of sin before we attempt to drag others out.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help me live above sin. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday before Epiphany. Bible Study: 1 John 3:7-10, Ps. 98:1,7-9, John 1:35-42).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu